Sotheby’s is currently auctioning off a set of Gérald Genta’s original drawings – including the original sketch of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak – for which reason our pals at The Watches TV took the opportunity to get his widow, Evelyne Genta, on camera to discuss the famed designer’s life and legacy.

Gérald Genta

Mrs. Genta, a diplomat (currently Monegasque ambassador to Great Britain) and businesswoman, relates quite a lot of interesting, previously unknown stories around her deceased husband’s early life and career but also talks about the creation of some acclaimed designs of the watch industry, famously including watches such as the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, Patek Philippe Nautilus, Omega Constellation, and the Universal Genève Polerouter, his big breakthrough.

Sotheby’s lot 1: Gérald Genta’s original prototype sketch of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, circa 1972

In this video, Mrs. Genta elaborates on her husband’s relationship with Georges Golay, the charismatic CEO of Audemars Piguet in the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s, and the brief that gave birth to the Royal Oak. But she also reveals that other big clients of his included Piaget and Corum.

Sotheby’s lot 5: Gérald Genta’s sketch of the Cartier Pasha

Three auctions will be held for a total of 100 small paintings, including the original designs of the Royal Oak and the Nautilus. Each design in the sale will be coupled with a unique NFT, a non-fungible token, that will feature an artistic digital replica of Genta’s masterful design. The three parts will be held in three different locations: Geneva, Hong Kong, and New York.

A portion of the proceeds from the sales will also benefit the Gérald Genta Heritage Association, whose mission is to encourage and reward the next generation of the watch industry, notably with the launch of the first edition of the Gérald Genta Prize for Young Talent.

For more on the auction, please visit www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2022/gerald-genta-icon-of-time.

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