GENUS – GNS2 Titanium Launch Edition

GENUS – GNS2 Titanium Limited ‘Launch’ Edition 2024

2024: GENUS opens a new chapter,
revealing the GNS2 watch
The watch that re-invents itself

With the GNS2, GENUS offers a fresh take on its signature complication,
reimagining its entire aesthetic and magnifying its singular interpretation of Time.

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This new model, building on the GNS1, preserves its hallmark mechanism while introducing a new dial that rethinks simplicity – without compromising
on design sophistication.

An exceptional timepiece with a sleek style whose semi-open dial showcases
GENUS’s modern interpretation of watchmaking artistry.

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The inaugural ‘GNS2 Launch Edition’ will be limited to 18 pieces.

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PRESS INVITATION
You are cordially invited to make an appointment
to discover the GNS2 at the GENUS Showroom.

Geneva Watch Week - from Monday, April 8th, through Friday, April 12th, 2024
Fairmont Grand Hotel – Streetside Entrance: Corner Quai du Mont Blanc/Rue de Monthoux

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When the first GNS1 was unveiled in 2019, GENUS’s idea was to present a timepiece with a distinct identity, one that offered a radically different and unprecedented way of reading time.

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It was a stunning debut. Within a year of the brand’s creation, its inaugural timepiece had won the coveted Mechanical Exception Prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), surpassing some of the most established names in high complication watchmaking. GENUS has since then unwaveringly pursued its singular vision of the art of watchmaking – through the lens of its hallmark complication, which is protected by two patents.

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The new GNS2 – the inaugural ‘Launch Edition’ will be limited to 18 pieces – maintains the momentum, fully aligned with the previous creations of the independent watchmaker based in Plan-Les-Ouates, on the outskirts of Geneva.  

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In the process of imagining and creating a more streamlined, contemporary watch, GENUS approached the task as both a technical and an aesthetic challenge – a journey into uncharted territory where design and functionality had to be reconciled with physics and engineering. Yet, beyond precision and innovation, it also meant creative freedom, opening up fresh avenues for expression.

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The GNS2 embodies the quintessential elements that define
the Genevan independent – the result of five years of research, development and work
in both engineering and design by GENUS and its two co-founders:
Master Watchmaker Sébastien Billières
and Catherine Henry, the company’s COO.

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Far from ‘doing less,’ the idea is about pushing even further the boundaries of how we perceive Time, about thinking differently, about concealing to better reveal. With the GNS2, the dream has become reality. Today, Sébastien Billières and Catherine Henry see their five-year effort culminate in a magnificent timepiece that fully embodies the spirit of GENUS.

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When you hear the team at GENUS describing this watch, you can sense the harmonious balance they sought to achieve between the case, movement, and dial, all in sync in a spirit of simplicity. Everything about this watch invites exploration into GENUS’s horological world: design and construction of the highest quality, paired with eminent wearability under any circumstance, equally at ease in a formal setting as in a more active lifestyle.

Movement, dial, display complication, finishes  –
all handcrafted by Master Watchmaker Sébastien Billières

With the GNS2, GENUS set out to create a sober, elegant, sporty-chic watch with a simplified, visually more accessible system for reading the time. It happens at several levels, with a focus on reliefs, textures, and the interplay of light with shadows and reflections. It takes just a glance at the very contemporary design to marvel at the architectural fusion of space, time and light.

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A myriad of shapes – hemispherical, concave, spherical… – come together in an intriguing juxtaposition of hammered, satin-finished, beveled, and mirror-polished surfaces. Light and shadow continually play off each other. The design’s uniqueness resides in how Sébastien Billières brings out a sense of spatial volume through the random hand-hammering of the dial. With its satin-finished surfaces and mirror-polished edges, the result is a decidedly novel aesthetic.

A dial in two parts, hand-decorated with tens of thousands of micro-hammerings

The dial is divided into two sections, each perfectly mirroring the other in flawless symmetry. The surface of each section has been hammered by hand with tens of thousands of tiny, incredibly precise strikes, utilizing a specialized tool with a tip less than 1/10th of a millimeter wide. This process creates a distinct, harmoniously irregular texture that gives the piece its character, its soul.

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The metal springs to life under light. More than shaping the material, each hammer stroke captures a moment both on its surface and in the continuum of time. A sensation, an inkling of absolute precision that reveals itself, tenth of a millimeter by tenth of a millimeter, in this realm of minute detail. This exactness is the culmination of the mind, eye, and hand working in concert—a testament to true savoir-faire. It is an artisanal technique that transforms each dial into a unique masterpiece.

A monochrome palette with shades of gray

For time-reading, the watch eschews contrasting elements in favor of an elegant monochrome palette of grays. This allows the free-floating ‘genera’ – the movement’s hallmark time-indicating elements – to stand out through two spherical openings. These elements, in metallic blue, move like three small origami-style arrows in zero gravity, shifting from one orbit to another with mesmerizing fluidity.

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Conveyed by two skeletonized wheels that form a figure 8, the ‘genera’ effortlessly glide around the symbol of infinity, as if floating above the intricate gears. The startling sense of depth comes from the matte black base of the two tens-of-minute dials as it contrasts with their satin-brushed and rhodium-plated finishes, providing a spectacular play of light. The delicately engraved numerals in positive relief further accentuate the multi-layered visual architecture. The overall effect is simply magnificent.

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The precise minute is indicated by the leading blue arrow that moves across the center of the dial, following GENUS’s signature figure-eight pattern. As for the hour indication, there are no hands. On GNS2, the hour is again read in a truly unique manner, indicated here by three other small origami arrows. These seem to float around the periphery of the display complication (unlike the GNS1, where the hour is indicated by small, block-shaped indices that pivoted as they made a complete revolution around the outer edge of the dial).

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The rhodium-plated, diamond-polished appliques visually enhance the whole, capturing even more light. Four large screws, mirror-polished by hand, not only secure the dial, but also purposefully command attention, serving as distinctive decorative elements in their own right.

A redesigned case – slimmer with sleek curves

Crafted from a single block of grade 5 titanium, the watch case exudes an air of weightlessness, its newly hollowed sides accentuating the graceful curvature, which is in turn emphasized by a finely sandblasted finish. Complementing the case, which is water resistant to 30 meters, all the exterior elements – including the crown – are fashioned from titanium.

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The 'glass box' sapphire crystal, specially developed for the GNS2, maximizes the dial opening, eliminating edges around its perimeter and reducing potential distortions. In addition to enhancing overall visibility, it provides an unobstructed view of the sophisticated mechanism, showcasing the multiple aesthetic details that define GENUS's celebrated craftsmanship.

A new caliber: 260Rh-2 - Preserving the architecture, reimagining the aesthetic

At the core of the GNS2 resides the 260Rh-2 caliber. Fundamentally the same ‘brain’ as in the GNS1, it nevertheless represents a major evolution in aesthetics. 

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Crafted in-house with exceptional finishes, its architecture encapsulates the essence of the GENUS project: to conceive the movement in two parts that complement each other as a way to achieve more creative freedom, both in terms of aesthetics and engineering; but also to ensure greater flexibility and a capacity to evolve. 

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One part, the basic movement, encompasses essential functions, including a unique barrel that provides an impressive 50-hour power reserve – a remarkable feat given the caliber’s complexity and moving masses. Atop this foundation sits the second part, the GENUS signature hour and minute display complication.

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Each component is designed and hand-decorated by Sébastien Billières in close collaboration with his sister Sarah. Featuring a blend of polishes and intricate straight-grain finishes, which are particularly challenging to achieve on large surfaces, every component interacts with light in a unique way, exuding a radiant luster.

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The regulating organ, distinguished by its blue hue, subtly complements the dial’s aesthetics. The intricate snailing of the ratchet wheel, along with all the painstakingly applied mirror-polished finishes, testifies to in-house craftsmanship that adheres to the exacting standards of Haute Horlogerie. Every single part has been crafted with the utmost care and precision.

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Set to debut at the Geneva Watch Week in April 2024, the GNS2 ‘Launch Edition’ invites connoisseurs to explore an unexpected fusion of artistic craftsmanship and avant-garde technology.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Collection    GNS2

Name ‘Launch’ Edition

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Reference GNS2 T5

CASE
Material Grade 5 titanium
Thickness 18.8 mm
Diameter 43 mm
Case back Grade 5 titanium, green, screw-secured, sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Crystal ‘Glass box’ sapphire crystal on the dial side; open case back with sapphire crystal – both crystals with anti-reflective coating
Crown Grade 5 titanium; raised G-E-N-U-S letters on circumference provide grip
Water resistance Approx. 30 meters (3 ATM)
MOVEMENT
Calibre 260W-2, manually winding, manufactured at the GENUS workshop in Geneva
Diameter 38 mm
Height 7.7 mm
The movement is divided into two parts: one dedicated to energy generation and transmission; the other to energy distribution and regulation
Components 278
Rubies 26
Frequency 2.5 Hz or 18,000 vibrations per hour
Power reserve Approx. 50 hours
Regulator Swiss lever escapement, variable inertia balance wheel 

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Modular Two modules:
- Power storage and transmission
- Power distribution and regulation
DISPLAY COMPLICATION
Hours        3 free-moving elements, arrows glide along the display complication’s periphery
Minutes    3 free-moving elements, arrows following a figure-eight track (patented)
STRAP AND BUCKLE
Material Choice of alligator, saddle-finish calfskin or padded and stitched rubber; choice of color
Buckle Grade 5 titanium, engraved with the GENUS logo
Clasp Folding clasp upon request

 🔰Edition - ✅ 15 pieces

🔴RETAIL PRICE (without tax) CHF 58,250 (61,360 EUR / 66,100 USD – approx. exchange rates at time of writing)💰

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Press release - 2024
---------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------
GE Watches SA
GENUS
Rue du Rhône 114
CH-1204 Genève
contact@genuswatches.swiss
-------------------------------------------------------
Catherine Henry
catherine.henry@genuswatches.swiss
------------------------------------------------------------
Sales & Distribution
Pamela Cloutier
pamela.cloutier@genuswatches.swiss
----------------------------------------------------------------
www.facebook.com - GENUS-Watches
====================================================
www.GenusWatches.swiss

GENUS – GNS1 Rainbow Green Damascus Titanium

GENUS – GNS 1.2 Rainbow Green Damascus Titanium 2023

 Celebrating Dubai Watch Week 2023, GENUS
unveils the “RAINBOW GREEN” timepiece.

A refreshing addition to the GENUS collection,
a new ‘Rainbow’ model expands the sparkling spectrum.

For the first time, the symbol of infinity with Genus’s 12 hallmark ‘genera.’
Green, the color of Dubai’s creative energy.

Paying homage to Dubai, the Damascus titanium case adopts a green hue,
reflecting the symbolism of the emirate’s flag and its rich history.

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Haute Horlogerie and Haute Joaillerie unite in the creation of Rainbow Green. GENUS’s new Rainbow collection opens a creative, joyful, refined, multi-colored realm, where hours and colors revel and sparkle.

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Faithful to GENUS’s hallmark display complication with its singular – and patented – approach to telling time, devoid of a dial and traditional hands, ‘Rainbow Green’ celebrates Dubai! Dressed for the occasion, the watch’s Damascus titanium case shimmers in a new color: green, chosen for its strong symbolism, in a respectful nod to the national flag and a symbol of the emirate’s vibrant energy.

Colorful brilliance

A watch holds a unique significance, fostered by the profound connection between the timepiece and its wearer. As one takes the time to look at all the details that make the ‘Rainbow Green’ so unique one begins to understand the passion that inspired its creators. The smallest elements, even those that cannot be seen, have been technically perfected and hand-decorated with an unrivalled mastery of materials and techniques. The GENUS signature shines through not just in the watch’s unique display, but also in its meticulous finishing touches.

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In an innovative interpretation of the Rainbow style, GENUS infuses a refreshing joyfulness into its signature creation. In this piece, the 12 genera – the iconic free-moving elements that indicate the tens of minutes – are set with splendidly colored sapphires in hues of red, orange, yellow, green, indigo and light blue to form a moving rainbow . The lead genus, guiding the seemingly floating display that traces the sign of infinity in the shape of a figure 8, is a sparkling diamond.

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Twelve green ‘hour satellites’, numbered from one to twelve with a numeral molded in white Super-LumiNova® for perfect readability in the dark, progress along the movement’s periphery, flush with the crystal. Making a complete revolution once every twelve hours, each passes the fixed arrow positioned at nine o’clock, thus indicating the hour. Here, the hour meets the hand, rather than the other way around.

The magic of an invisible, moving setting that sublimates the telling of time

Developing the distinct GENUS display required overcoming numerous challenges during the project’s ten years of gestation and three years of development.

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Embedding precious stones has long been one of the most beautiful ways to enhance the aesthetics of a watch, in particular its dial. Here, GENUS distinguishes itself with creations that combine artistic flair – driven by a sober, subtle, youthful, discreet spirit, yet eminently wearable for everyday use – with impeccable technical execution.

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The invisible setting of 12 gemstones on the 12 genera was, from the outset, a major challenge. While projecting the illusion of simplicity, the design and manufacture of these very special free-moving elements were in fact quite complex. Each stone was, precisely cut to a diamond shape, sized and perfectly fitted, needed to hold firmly in place while progressing in one fluid movement from one half of the ‘8’ to the other. A harmony in motion that is all the more challenging to achieve as the ‘hand-over’ must take place without any of 12 genera touching other, without any friction and without the least wear on the finishes of the minute gears.

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When the display complication comes to life, magic happens. The spectacular ballet only magnifies the experience of reading the time. As the procession of invisible-set gems advances, allowing each to sparkle at maximum brilliance and fire with the changing angle of light, finding out the tens of minutes is nothing short of mesmerizing. The movement is not impeded in the slightest by the weight of the 12 precious stones, retaining a comfortable power reserve of over 50 hours.

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“Our watches, valuable as they are, are designed for daily enjoyment. The fact that we chose to animate it with a manual movement fosters a tighter bond with the wearer, and 30-meter water-resistance makes it perfect for everyday wear. Technology must be at the service of our vision, but above all at the service of the customer. The best way to bring a watch to life is to wear it,” say Sébastien Billières and Catherine Henry, co-founders of the GENUS brand.

Innovative material, time-honored technique – anodic oxidation of Damascus titanium

While the classic colors of horology are mostly confined to the black, white, gray, brown, beige and dark blue palettes, we see vibrant hues of green shaking up the world of fine watchmaking; a testament to joy, optimism, prosperity and abundance no doubt make the color’s special appeal. 

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Made from Damascus titanium, a very rare material in Haute Horlogerie, GENUS’s creation honors an ancestral craft rooted in a difficult and subtle savoir-faire. It bears similarities to the Japanese method of making samurai katana blades, a technique first applied to steel and in use since the 17th century. As titanium is three times tougher than steel and can be worked at even higher temperatures (between 1,200 and 1,400 degrees Celsius), only the best of bladesmiths are up to the challenge of hand-working the metal into folds and creases before forging it into a blade of tremendous strength with a unique, hypnotic pattern.

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The particular hue of ‘Rainbow Green’ is achieved after finishing, polishing and satin-brushing the watch case: that is when it undergoes an anodic oxidation, an electrolytic process that changes the color.

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The spectacular end result shimmers in an intense green with a moiré effect that generates undulating reflections as the Damascus titanium seems to vibrate in the light. Complex and fascinating, the entire process also makes each piece completely unique.

Inside ‘Rainbow Green’ beats GENUS’s signature movement

Eschewing the traditional dial and hands, the architecture of the 160W-1.2 caliber is all the more spectacular for the special sapphire crystal that eliminates a ridge around its periphery and potential distortions, affording an unobstructed view of the subtle workings of a movement in two parts.

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The first, which can be described as the foundational movement, groups the essential functions, including a single barrel. It provides 50 hours of power reserve, which is considerable given the complexity of the caliber and the masses it must keep in motion. The second, on top, holds the complications that display the hours and tens of minutes, with the two striking arrows, green (at 9 o'clock) pointing to the hours, and white (at 3 o'clock) pointing to the precise minute.

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With a diameter of 43 mm and a thickness of 13.1 mm, equipped with the 160W-1.2 caliber, the movement is made up of 406 components, all designed, created and hand-decorated in the workshops of watchmaker Sébastien Billières in Plan-Les-Ouates in the Canton of Geneva.

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There is not a single part that has not been crafted with the most meticulous care and respect for the standards of Haute Horlogerie. The escapement bridge is mirror-polished. The plate and three bridges are bead-blasted, creating a matte effect that allows a subtle visual contrast with the glossy finishes. All edges have been chamfered and polished. Better still, they are shaped in such a way as to create even more vivid reflections and light variations.

Perfection in balance, excellence in finishes

Because it sees technology as being at the service of aesthetics, GENUS has defined certain codes that are both traditional and contemporary, tenets to which the brand has remained faithful since its creation in 2019. Rewarded at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève with the Mechanical Exception Prize, the complication developed by GENUS is infinitely adaptable. Each timepiece is a concentrate of watchmaking culture that appeals to both the enlightened amateur and the lover of fine objects.
All components have been designed and crafted by hand, in line with the finest traditions of Haute Horlogerie. The circular-grained wheels, bridges and plate are hand-beveled, while the majority of the steel parts are mirror-polished as well as beveled and grained by hand. In the end, every single part tells a piece of the whole of watchmaking history, creating a bridge between past, present and future.

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Making a magical mix of savoir-faires, watchmaker, gem-setter, stone-cutter and jeweler come together to find the perfect balance between mechanical constraints and aesthetic intent. An eternally unalterable serenity emanates from this watch; and yet it was conceived as a contradiction in terms, comprising one thing and its opposite. Lasting beauty is found in the juxtaposition of contradictory elements: satin-brushed and polished surfaces, curves and lines, shadow and light, past and present, colorful and discreet. And from this interplay, a perfect balance is born: Rainbow Green.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Collection     GNS 1

Name Rainbow Green

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Reference GNS1.2 TD Rainbow Green

CASE
Material Damascus titanium (TD), green
Thickness 13.3 mm
Diameter 43 mm
Case back Grade 5 titanium, green, screw-secured, sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Crystal Domed sapphire crystal on face, flat sapphire crystal case back, with antireflective coating
Crown Damascus titanium, letters  – G-E-N-U-S lembossed around the circumference
Water resistance Approx. 30 meters (3 ATM)
MOVEMENT
Calibre 160W-1.2, manually winding, manufactured at the GENUS workshop in Geneva
Diameter 38 mm
Height 7.7 mm
Material Plate and bridges in 18K gold
Components 406
Rubies 26
Frequency 2.5 Hz or 18,000 vibrations per hour
Power reserve Approx. 50 hours
Regulator Swiss lever escapement, balance spring, variable inertia balance wheel
Modular Two modules:
- Power storage and transmission
- Power distribution and regulation
DISPLAY COMPLICATION
Hours: 12 satellites/indexes with peripheral and axial rotation (patent pending)
Ten of minutes: 12 free-moving gems circulating between two counter-rotating foci (patent pending)
Gem-set genera: 1 baguette-cut "Top Wesselton" diamond for the genus leading element, ~0.12 ct
11 diamond-shaped ‘loupe clean’ colored sapphires, ~1.34 ct, for the genera
Minutes: Skeletonized disc with green Super-LumiNova®
Numerals & indicators: White and green Super-LumiNova®
STRAP AND BUCKLE
Material Green alligator, padded and hand-sewn
Buckle Pin buckle in green Damascus titanium, engraved with the GENUS logo
Clasp Folding clasp available on reques

🔴RETAIL PRICE (without tax) CHF 224,350 (237,400 EUR / 251,500 USD – approx. exchange rates at time of writing)💰

Delighted to announce that GENUS is exhibiting at the Dubai Watch Week  from 16 - 20 November 2023 to unveil the RAINBOW GREEN.

 

Location : Jumeirah Emirates Towers Entrance  - On the left - Booth S5.

 

You can register for press appointment directly here : https://www.dubaiwatchweek.com/press-center

--------------------------------
Press release - 2023
---------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------
GE Watches SA
GENUS
Rue du Rhône 114
CH-1204 Genève
contact@genuswatches.swiss
-------------------------------------------------------
Catherine Henry
catherine.henry@genuswatches.swiss
------------------------------------------------------------
Sales & Distribution
Pamela Cloutier
pamela.cloutier@genuswatches.swiss
----------------------------------------------------------------
www.facebook.com - GENUS-Watches
====================================================
www.GenusWatches.swiss

GENUS – GNS DRAGON White Gold

 GENUS – GNS 1 GNS DRAGON White Gold 2021

 The flight of the golden serpent

2021: GENUS presents a watch with a spectacular centerpiece:
a guardian dragon in motion that indicates the passage of time.

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 Haute Horlogerie, mechanical engineering, goldsmithing, sculpture and engraving:
GENUS brings these crafts and talents together to create a fascinating equilibrium
between technical constraints and aesthetic requisites

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 The result is unprecedented. A graceful, powerful, expressive dragon crafted from 18K gold,

like the main components of the movement, revealing not only a full range of horological artistry,
but also unlocking vast creative possibilities. 

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GENUS Dragon opens a new chapter in the unfolding story of GENUS with the embodiment of the formidable symbolism that surrounds the myth, across worlds, ages and cultures. 

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After having reimagined the way to tell time, an endeavor rewarded with the Mechanical Exception Prize at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) in 2019 and, in 2020, presenting the GNS1.2 TD carved from a block of Damascene titanium, itself a prowess in metalsmithing, the brand continues to explore the infinite possibilities of its original approach to orbital mechanics for illustrating time.

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In 2021, the complex and fluid movement that is the hallmark of GENUS watches breathes life into the most powerful and evocative of all mythical beings – the dragon. GENUS DRAGON makes a creature of legend come alive, fusing precious sculpture and mechanical architecture with engineering, watchmaking, goldsmithing and engraving artisanship of the highest order. The head of the dragon, too, plays a role in this most kinetic and intriguing expression of timekeeping revisited.

Hic sunt dracones

“Here be dragons.” On ancient maps these words indicated uncharted regions where unknown and unimaginable dangers lurked, where monsters were thought to exist. Sea dragons in the Middle Ages became flying dragons in more modern times, as popularized by recent film iconography. From the Gate of Ishtar in Babylon to the bow of Viking drakkar boats, from Chinese mythology to Germanic epic poems, the dragon is omnipresent in Eurasian cultures.

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Mythical, powerful, projecting fear and awe as a menacing creature blowing fire and flame but also symbolizing fierce protection, wisdom and eternity – the dragon is an avatar of entwined creative and destructive power. It is also a guardian symbol. Since time immemorial, no other being truly captures the imagination like the dragon.

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In order to pay tribute to the dragon and its symbolic power, GENUS decided to go beyond a simple representation, painted or passive, and made it an active presence in its watchmaking creation, thereby honoring the dragon’s role as the ultimate guardian of the ultimate treasure.

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Here, the genera, i.e., the mobile elements GENUS invented for its tens-of-minutes display, become the dragon's body. Eleven sculpted, decorated, hand-engraved rose gold segments follow the celestial trajectory of the analemma, the singular signature of GENUS.

1 – An inspired aesthetic

Of the extensive dragon iconography across the ages, GENUS has retained one graphic interpretation of the creature that reaches far beyond the imaginary realms of Chinese mythology: This dragon is long and lithe, wingless though endowed with flight, and characterized by a bearded mouth overhung with whisker-like tendrils.

The choice of expression

Vast is the spectrum of visualization for the symbolism surrounding the dragon. Here, GENUS struck a balance between strength and wisdom – an expression of benevolence but scrutinizing, poised and conscious of its power, yet unthreatening.

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A creature of the earth in ancient oriental civilizations, of fire in European lore, the Asian dragon is linked to the element water. The way in which the genera fluidly trace the passage of time makes a natural connection with the mythical creature. Hence, the self-evident decision to bring this flowing transition to life in a horological context with GENUS DRAGON.

Animal realism

Conscious of the artistic and engineering challenges, GENUS enhanced the dragon’s being by making its backbone stand out, like a wave in motion, to accentuate proportions and reliefs, with a lithe, long and narrow body, a delicate yet commanding head, legs and paws that convey sinewy strength. 

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A unique kinetic sculpture that GENUS calls onto the stage, and inaugurates with an elegantly shaped sapphire crystal that becomes an observation dome for this work of art. For it is not only a matter of seeing, but of being able to observe a dragon in its environment, watch it move, and enjoy its complex choreography.

2 - The magic of age-old artisanship

Of all the execution techniques available to the watchmaking world, GENUS opted for the most demanding, the most meaningful and the most precious. The dragon’s body is a fluid sculpture of 18K rose gold, composed of eleven segments – the genera – that move freely, one behind the other, and form the whole creature.

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Raising the artistic and artisanal dimension, the 18K rose gold elements are sculpted and delicately engraved by hand. This culture of the exceptional is reflected in the attention to detail given to every aspect of the dragon. The body, scales, paws, claws, the head with its mischievous little horns, the beard, tongue and expressive eyes – they all shine with the high level of finish associated with Haute Horlogerie. There is not a single element which has not been crafted with the most meticulous care.

The complexity of the myth

Initially, Sébastien Billières believed this new endeavor would, at the most, require 3-4 months of technical development. In the end, modelling this mythical and minute creature took more than a year of seemingly insurmountable design and engineering challenges.

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Indeed, this is not a static sculpture, carved as one piece. This dragon is in constant motion, the result of an articulation between the calibre and the free-moving segments on one hand, and between the segments themselves on the other. Moreover, there is nothing simple about the trajectory it follows. It is neither linear nor circular, and it crosses over itself. At its core, the GENUS watchmaking concept is based on a movement along an analemma, or figure eight, the sign of infinity.

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The ‘return trips,’ as it were, around the foci, the rotations to the right and left, tracing the curves and diagonals – the behavior of each segment of the dragon’s body has been studied along this path, where the speed of progression fluctuates depending on the position along the trajectory. Each one of the eleven segments – of a particular shape, height and weight – is unique. This in turn enhances the impression of unencumbered movement and realistically evokes a serpent-like undulation that is best observed along the dragon's spine.

A quintessential interaction

The magic is in the mix of crafts and artisanship: watchmaker and jeweler-engraver, both masters of their art, came together to create the most realistic texture for the inside of the mouth and the tongue, down to the smallest detail. To achieve this, the delicate head was sculpted from 6 separate blocks of gold. The gold thread tendrils that seem to float in the wind reveal the artist who inhabits the watchmaker. Absolute and uncompromising attention to detail pervaded each stage of the creation of this kinetic sculpture, where each element acquired a precise volume and dimension to allow the dragon to glide and cross over from one orbit to the other.

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The dragon, a miniature expression of the mechanical art as is brought to life in antique automatons, is the fruit of a unique collaboration – a meeting of minds – between engineer, watchmaker, goldsmith, sculptor and engraver. Together they found a balance between mechanical constraints and aesthetic requisites. Thus, a whole range of artisan’s techniques were applied at multiple levels, from engraving to gold soldering to beading, to name only three.

The movement had to be assembled, disassembled, and reassembled three times to achieve the dragon’s natural, and fascinating, litheness and expressiveness. Consequently, just as many reworkings of the surfaces and textures were required.

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Such a spectacular show of artisanship and engineering demanded a worthy stage. Whilst the case and movement of GENUS DRAGON are in white gold, the specifications of the sapphire crystal have been adapted to the requirements of this timepiece. Raised slightly higher and being more curved, it has become a display dome for the dragon in all its magnificence. A showcase for the spectator's gaze, elegantly proportioned for the wrist. The overall impression of space, volume, and lightness in every sense of the word is in keeping with the other GENUS models, as the transparency of the view supersedes any concerns of height or thickness.

3 - Calibre Transfiguration

At the heart of GENUS DRAGON, there is the brain of the GNS1. Here, however, the tens-of-minutes are not indicated by a genus, but by the dragon’s head. The magical appearance of the dragon between crystal and movement is based on the same technical fundamentals as previous GENUS creations. Here, Calibre 160W-1.2 is the bedrock of GENUS' watchmaking approach. 

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By taking on the form of the dragon, the genera – the free-moving elements that transition from one orbit to the other on the tens-of-minutes display – demonstrate the flexibility and versatility of this singular interpretation of horological principles.

The architecture of Calibre 160W-1.2 reveals the nature, the driving force of GENUS.

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The principles of freedom, flexibility and openness to further evolution that are at the core of GENUS stem from a dichotomy. Indeed, there are two parts, or modules, to the watch. The first, which can be described as the foundation, groups the essential functions, including a single barrel. It ensures a 50-hour power reserve, which is considerable in view of the complexity of the calibre and the masses in movement. The second module, overlaying the first, manages the display complication of hours, tens-of-minutes and precise minutes.

A heart of white gold

Entirely designed, developed and assembled in the Geneva workshop, GENUS DRAGON is the first and only watch in the world in which an articulated dragon expresses the passage of time. Here, the system indicating the tens-of-minutes takes the form of the mythical dragon creature and reveals the imaginative versatility of this unique calibre.

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The plate and bridges are made of 18K gold sourced from an environmentally and socially responsible supply chain certified by the RJC (Responsible Jewellery Council). All the components of Calibre 160W-1.2 have been designed and hand-crafted by the watchmaker in the finest Haute Horlogerie tradition. All 390 components show a degree and quality of hand-finishing achieved only with the most meticulous care, with the mirror-polished anchor bridge, the micro-blasted plate and bridges in particular bringing out mesmerizing contrasts. The shapes of the beveled and polished edges, too, multiply the ways in which light plays to the calibre’s intrinsic beauty.

The flight of the dragon

Behind the singular GENUS movement and display complication resides the fruit of over ten years gestation and three years of development. The two main features that distinguish GNS are the subject of patent applications: the rotating and peripheral display of the hour indices; and the passage from one orbit of the analemma to the

other. The trajectory of the dragon’s body segments around the foci was a major issue. They must be kept in place, yet at the same time be free to progress from one wheel to the other. Squaring this circle was rendered even more perplexing by the fact that the matter concerns each segment.

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The dragon segments are much heavier than the genera of the other GENUS watches. For one thing, they are made of 18K rose gold, a material much heavier than brass or steel. A dragon for keeping time would therefore pose a major constraint on the movement, both in terms of energy consumption and friction.

As for the required energy, it is amply supplied by the movement’s configuration, which delivers on its commitment to reliability, precision, and power to absorb the additional loads.

4. Digital Passport
 
To provide owners the guarantee of their timepiece’s authenticity and traceability throughout its lifetime, GENUS has joined forces with the Arianee Project, an independent consortium with the mission to establish a global standard for the digital certification of valuables. Based on Blockchain technology, the decentralized and open-source protocol offers a set of new services for the watch owner that are directly accessible from the Certificate of Authenticity delivered with each GENUS watch.

 

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The specifics of each GENUS DRAGON, including the transactions in which it is involved, e.g., sale and/or transmission to a new owner, service book, proof of ownership/theft declaration are recorded and protected. The Arianee protocol allows GENUS not only to emancipate itself from paper-based authentication (which can be counterfeited), but, most importantly, guarantees the traceability of the timepiece throughout its lifetime, even in the event of a change of ownership

If customers who are accustomed to conceptual fine watches should wonder as to the reliability of their movement, the history of GENUS and of its founders offers the best reassurance. Our longstanding experience as restorers, manufacturers and mentors has anchored the imperative of producing watches that work and will work for a long time deep in GENUS' watchmaking culture.

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Collection     GNS 1

Name GNS DRAGON
Reference GNS1.2 WG DRAGON
 

CASE
Material 18K white gold
Thickness 18.8 mm
Diameter 43 mm
Crystal Domed sapphire crystal on face, flat sapphire crystal case back, with antireflective coating
Crown 18K white gold – G-E-N-U-S lettering in positive relief on the circumference, providing grip for winding
Water resistance Approx. 30 meters (3 ATM)
MOVEMENT
Calibre 160W-1.2, manually winding, manufactured at the GENUS workshop in Geneva
Material Plate and bridges in 18K gold
Components 390
Rubies 26
Frequency 2.5 Hz or 18,000 vibrations per hour
Power reserve Approx. 50 hours
Regulator Variable inertia balance wheel, Swiss anchor escapement
Modular Two modules:
- Power storage and transmission
- Power distribution and regulation
DISPLAY COMPLICATION
Hours 12 satellite indices / peripheral and axial rotation (patent pending)
Tens-of-minutes 11 mobile elements transitioning between two counter-rotating wheels (patent pending), crafted from 18K rose gold, stylized to form a dragon, and hand-engraved
Precise minute Skeletonized disc
Numbers and indicators Coated with SuperLuminova™
The display is read from left to right:
On the left, the hour is indicated by the fixed arrow
In the center, the tens-of-minutes are indicated by the dragon’s head
On the right, by the crown, the precise minute is indicated by the fixed arrow
STRAP AND BUCKLE
Material Calfskin (alligator upon request), rolled-edge (‘rembordé’), hand-stitched, choice of color
Buckle Pin buckle in 18K white gold (fold-over clasp available upon request)

PRICE
Suggested retail price CHF 150 000 excluding VAT, ex works – for gem-set versions and bespoke possibilities, please contact us.

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Press release - 2021
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GE Watches SA
GENUS
Rue du Rhône 114
CH-1204 Genève
contact@genuswatches.swiss
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Catherine Henry
catherine.henry@genuswatches.swiss
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Sales & Distribution
Pamela Cloutier
pamela.cloutier@genuswatches.swiss
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