Gerald Charles’ New Maestro 9.0 Tourbillon Exudes Class

Gerald Charles is a Swiss brand founded in 2000 by one Mr. Gerald Charles Genta, a name you’re probably familiar with as he’s one of the foremost watch designers of all time. While he sold the company in 2003, the brand’s connection to his designs remain strong, especially with the watch known as the Maestro. For 2023 they’ve launched the new Gerald Charles Maestro 9.0 Tourbillon in three editions.

The three variants are one in steel and two in white gold with diamond or sapphire decoration respectively. Since the overall design of them all is the same, let’s focus on just one of them to keep things simple, specifically the non-limited edition.

It has a case measuring 39mm x 41.7mm x 9.37mm in the signature Maestro design, which has an irregular, elongated octagonal shape with a curved side at 6 o’clock. You can see in its lines the similarity to models like the Patek Philippe Nautilus or Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, but it’s more refined with less prominent features. Instead of a flat bezel, it has a rippled one that gives it a classical feel.

The dial has a sunray brushed finish in a rich shade of blue that captures the light in an attractive manner. It draws the eye down towards the new tourbillon at 6 o’clock, which has a cage in the shape of the Gerald Charles logo – a G wrapped inside a C. The extra weight that the logo-shaped cage added to the device was proving problematic during development and so it’s now made from ultra-lightweight titanium. Although, in addition to the high tech titanium, an element of refinement has also been added in the form of a gold bridge.

Powering the tourbillon is the calibre GCA 3024/12, made in partnership with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier – frequent collaborators with Gerald Genta during his lifetime. It has a 50-hour power reserve and features hours and minutes functions via the central hands and seconds via the 60-second tourbillon.

While the watches aren’t strictly limited editions, they will have limited production. There will be 50 steel pieces per year and 10 each of the diamond and sapphire editions. As a quick note, the two gem versions feature 66 of their titular gemstone set into their white gold bezels. The standard edition of the Gerald Charles Maestro 9.0 Tourbillon is priced at £82,200 while the two gem models are price on request.