Dr. N.
If you like the aesthetics of the creations of Gerald genta but you cannot or do not want to spend an amount equal to a small mortgage, there are many quality alternatives. Today we see alternatives to the Patek Philippe Nautilus andAudemars Piguet Royal Oak under twenty thousand euros.
What is special about Nautilus and Royal Oak?
Gerald genta he has designed world-class watches throughout his career. The man who invented the watchmaking design profession also invented a whole genre of watches: that of luxury steel sports watches. Gerald genta he founded this genre, now extremely successful, with watches such as the Patek Philippe Nautilus,Audemars Piguet Royal Oak andIWC Engineer.
This type of watches are characterized by steel cases in which sophisticated style bracelets are inserted, which help to define the character of the watch. Although over time, versions of the Nautilus and Royal Oak equipped with a strap, which certainly does not disfigure aesthetically thanks to the beauty of the case, the category ofluxury steel sports watch it continues to be defined by the alternation between smooth and satin surfaces, by the presence of an integrated bracelet or at least one that appears as such, and by the tonneau-shaped or non-traditional case.
Since IWC has chosen to change the style of the Ingenieur of Gerald genta, those who want to buy a luxury sports watch designed by the great Italian-Swiss artist must necessarily turn to his two greatest successes, Il Patek Philippe Nautilus and'Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. The problem with these two watches is very simple: the prices are above the list and the availability is, to put it mildly, difficult.
This is why we decided to discover with you the alternatives to Patek Philippe Nautilus andAudemars Piguet Royal Oak in various price ranges. Let's start today with the elegant sporty luxury watches in steel of “Gentiana” inspiration a less than twenty thousand euros.
Vacheron Constantin Overseas Automatic
The inspiration for this model comes from Vacheron Constantin 222, a watch launched in 1977, on the occasion of the prestigious 222th anniversary maison. Over the years, stylistic and technical innovations have followed one another, up to the current one Vacheron Constantin Overseas Automatic. The Maltese Cross, symbol of Vacheron Constantin, is reproduced here in the bracelet and in the design of the bezel. The steel case has a large diameter of 41,5 mm, but the fit is ensured by the balanced thickness of 11 mm. The self-winding movement, visible through the glass back, is in-house Vacheron Constantin and provides the watch with an autonomy of sixty hours. The particularity ofOverseas is that Vacheron Constantin provides it with a quick release system of the bracelet that allows it to be replaced with one of the two straps supplied as standard by the House, made to measure for this watch.
Girard Perregaux Graduate
Il Girard Perregaux Graduate is a luxury watch with shapes that recall, in the octagon, the Royal Oak and in the bracelet the rectangles of Nautilus. Launched in its first version in 1975, it takes its name from the suggestion of an Italian distributor of the brand, who was inspired by the famous film with Dustin Hoffman. Originally equipped with a quartz movement - it was this model that first introduced a 32.768 Hertz oscillator, which has since become the standard in electronically controlled movements - the Girard Perregaux Graduate it is produced today with an in-house self-winding mechanical movement Girard Perregaux. Il Graduate it is equipped with technical refinements such as the oscillating weight in gold. We recognize in the Girard Perregaux Graduate the lines inspired by the Seventies, with a contribution of modernity given by the availability of materials such as titanium, rose gold, white gold in addition to the classic steel. The Girard Perregaux Graduate it is available in 34, 38, 42 and 44 mm diameter versions, to the satisfaction of all wrists who appreciate its aesthetics.
Bulgari Octo Finest
When, at the turn of the third millennium, Bulgari acquires the brands Gerald genta e Daniel Roth, specializing respectively in watch design and mechanical movements, few expect that after a decade of work, a collection of watches will be launched that will conquer well five world records: the line eight Bulgarian.
Il design of the Bulgari Octo is characterized by the octagon, a figure dear to the great designer Gerald genta, which combined with stylistic features taken from the Basilica of Maxentius in Rome creates a fascinating combination of Italian aesthetics and Swiss watchmaking sophistication. But it's not just the style that distinguishes the eight Bulgarian: almost in every version, this luxury timepiece breaks record after record for the subtlety of its movements. Well deserved is in fact the name of "Very fine”That this version of the eight Bulgarian door: the automatic movement is in fact just 2,2 millimeters thick. Between alternatives to Patek Philippe Nautilus and Royal Oak di Audemars Piguet. the eight Bulgarian it is the one that most carries with it the pioneering spirit of those watches, both in terms of technique and style. Considering that the Bulgari Octo Finest it can also boast a direct descent from the designs of the Italian-Swiss master - let's think about Gerald Genta Octo Grande Sonnerie - in the stylistic field, surely those who wear this watch on their wrists do not make a renunciation choice. Rather…
Chopard Alpine Eagle Large
This model has its stylistic roots in the early eighties, with the Chopard St. Moritz. in Chopard Alpine Eagle Large the screwed bezel gives the watch a rather prominent presence on the wrist, even more than the 41mm diameter suggests. The integrated bracelet and the alternation of shiny and satin surfaces create an effect that well accompanies the dial from the processing Sun, inspired, according to the manufacturer, by the eagle's iris. The Chopard Alpine Eagle Large it also has a date window at four o'clock, made with a dark background in order to maintain the aesthetic cleanliness of the whole. The movement, of manufacture Chopard, ensures toAlpine Eagle an autonomy of 60 hours.
Piaget Polo G0A41002
Piaget is a watchmaker famous for its ultra-thin movements, so it's perfectly appropriate that they also make a luxury sports watch in the footsteps of the designs of Gerald genta. The work of the stylists and master watchmakers of Piaget made it possible to contain the thickness of the Piaget Polo less than 10 millimeters. The fluid shapes help to conceal the width of the extended 42 mm case from the eye. The stylistic inspiration, in the case of the Piaget Polo, seems to be more that of Nautilus than that of Royal Oak: the screwless bezel and the horizontal striped dial are reminiscent of the first Patek Philippe Nautilus. The Piaget Polo reference G0A41002 carries on the tradition of Piaget, a company that with its combination of technical refinement and innovative style has been able to win over customers such as Sophia Loren, Jackie Kennedy ed Elizabeth Taylor.
Our article dedicated to Gerald Genta-style watches under twenty thousand euros ends here, but don't miss the other market segments, to be published in the future. In the next article, we will discover alternative luxury steel watches to Gerald Genta's designs for less than ten thousand euros.
If you liked this article, keep following us by reading ours Shops!
