Grade One Replica Watch

Inhorgenta Luxury Watch of the Year: Gerald Charles Masterlink

01 March 2025

In Munich, the jewellery, watch and gemstone industry gathered for the annual Inhorgenta trade fair. As the industry’s leading trade fair in Europe, it not only serves as a hub but also honours designers, concepts and pieces of jewellery with the Inhorgenta Award. This year, more than 137 entries were received for the nine award categories, including the Luxury Watch of the Year'. The category recognises luxury watches with a retail price of 5,000 or more. On February 22, the high-calibre jury crowned Gerald Charles’ Masterlink the winner in the Small Olympic Hall.Inhorgenta Award 2025The independent and family-run manufacturer could have not received this honour at a more opportune moment as it is also celebrating its 25th brand anniversary this year. But what makes the brand so special and how has Masterlink been able to hold its own against the competition? Let’s take a closer look.Gerald Charles CEO Federico Ziviani in MunichGerald Charles: The legacy of Gerald GentaGerald Charles Genta has made a name for himself as the ingenious watchmaker behind today’s design icons such as the Royal Oak by Audemars Piguet or the Nautilus by Patek Philippe. 50 years into his career as one of the most influential personalities in watchmaking, he finally founded his own brand in 2000. It bears his two first names: Gerald Charles.The brand specialises on producing limited-edition timepieces that embody Genta’s motto Artistic Creativity, Technical Mastery', primarily targeting collectors. Even after the watchmaking virtuoso’s death, this philosophy remains at the heart of the company, which is run by the Ziviani family, friends of Genta, since 2003. Today, the manufacture produces 1,500 watches a year, conforming to the Qualite Fleurier standard.Founder Gerald GentaUntil his passing in 2011, Genta served as Chief Designer there, leaving behind an extensive archive of original designs developed during his 11-year tenure. Thus, Gerald Charles has a valuable treasure at their fingertips and numerous opportunities to continue Genta’s legacy. Under the current Creative Director Octavio Garcia, the watch manufacturer has now realized a vision that pays homage to a unique Genta watch: the Masterlink. The inspiration for the MasterlinkAvailable for 19,500 euros, the Masterlink is a modernised and more sophisticated version of the Sarawak created by Genta as a unique piece in 2007. Set with more than 15 carats of precious stones, baguette-cut rubies and complemented by a diamond pave bracelet, it was the first and only timepiece that Genta has designed with an integrated, asymmetrical bracelet.In the brand’s recent history, the Masterlink is the first watch to take on the original’s aesthetic and to feature an asymmetrical bracelet. On top of that, it is more suitable for everyday wear because of its 316L surgical steel case and bracelet. The first sketches for this concept were created in 2020 four years before the first prototype was finalised in 2024 and are testament to the brand’s dedication to carrying Genta’s spirit of innovation through to the smallest detail...................