Everything about this Retro Solo jump hour watch is cool, not least it is a Gerald Genta. Model reference RSO.M.20
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
The Retro Solo range feature in the Wristwatch Annuals of 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. The show the list price of a steel version at $6,450 (the 18k Retro Classic, with the same movement, was $13,500). For context an Audemar Piguet Royal Oak 36mm automatic, in steel, was $8,400, and a Rolex Datejust in steel was $3,300 in the same book.
CONDITION
Gerald Genta is a legend in watch design. His CV includes the Universal Geneve Polerouter, Omega Constellation, Cartier Pasha, Patek Philippe Nautilus and the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, of which his first drawing for that watch recently fetch CHF 564,000 at Sothebys (not a watch, just the drawing…). As well as this impressive client base, he also established his own brand in 1969 and made distinct and often very complex watches to a small and exclusive client base. His Octo Grande Sonnerie Tourbillion had four gongs so it could play the Westminster chimes like Big Ben, and had a list price of $810,000 in the 1990’s. ( A non working one was sold by Christies for $500,000! ). Those watches featured the eight sided case design (hence Octo), but our watch here has a more conventional case shape.
This watch has not one but two unconventional ways of displaying the time, but it is done with absolute clarity. The hours is displayed with a number at 6, and this jumps on the hour to the next number. The minutes is a retrograde system, reading from 0-60 and in sync with the hour jumping forward the minute hand flicks back to zero with a nice click. This is all powered by by the automatic GA4503 movement, which has 21 jewels and runs at 28,800bph. The dial is mother of pearl, but quite subtle. The case is all solid 18k gold, and feels solid too – there is some weight to this watch. The signed buckle is also 18k gold, and the lizard strap is not the original but new. The sapphire crystal is unmarked, and the unpolished case shows only light marks. If you like to have a watch that people are likely never to have seen then this could be for you – there are over half a million watches for sale on Chrono24, and that includes just three Retro Solo watches, and each of those is different.
This watch will be supplied with our branded presentation box and our Certificate of Authenticity.
Please see the HD video for more detail. All photos and videos are part of the description and are of the actual watch unless mentioned. We do not photoshop any pictures, and the images are copyright of birthyearwatches.com and should not be used without permission.
SIZE
Width with crown 35.4 mm
Width without crown 31.3 mm
Between lugs 20 mm
Lug to lug length 44.0 mm
Case Thickness 10.3 mm
All sizes are approximate.
Included with this watch is a 3 month guarantee and free delivery to UK addresses. If you live outside the UK we can still deliver to most countries. Please see our Worldwide Shipping information, or Contact Us. Payment can be made by most credit or debit cards, bank transfer or PayPal.
From 1st September 2021 we will be planting a tree for every watch we sell, working with the International Tree Foundation (Est 1922) to make this business positive on carbon. By buying anything pre owned you are effectively reusing what already exists, but this takes it further and makes us feel good.
