Buffy Acacia
The prevalence of wristwatch promotion all through the game of tennis is fairly unusual when you consider it, as a result of there’s nothing extra annoying than having one thing unfastened in your wrist whereas swinging a racquet. What it’s grow to be is an train in consolation and weight management in an effort to strap it down tight and nearly fake it’s not there – simply ask Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic. Gerald Charles has been properly as much as the duty earlier than, and now its new Maestro GC Sport Tennis restricted version revisits the idea with a tribute to the standard tennis ball.
Gerald Charles, notably based by Gérald Charles Genta, takes a extremely sculptural method to watchmaking. It’s possible you’ll suppose that’s at odds with one thing as function-focused as a tennis watch, however the Maestro GC Sport is extremely adaptable. Its uncommon form is impressed by baroque structure, and it has been rendered right here in grade 5 titanium for its low density and excessive power attributes. The case is then sandblasted for a roughened matte texture after which given a charcoal PVD coating to reinforce its scratch-resistance.
At 39mm huge, 41mm tall and simply 9mm thick, the entire watch weighs not more than 64 grams, together with the yellow Velcro strap and titanium “darkblast” buckle. Moreover, the case is 100-metres water-proof, so you may simply soar from the court docket to the pool to rinse off after a tough match.
You could possibly nearly be forgiven for pondering that the dial of this watch was only a picture of a tennis ball, or perhaps a slice of 1 glued in. The grainy texture and that vibrant yellow bordering barely on chartreuse completely captures the fuzziness, and the fumé edges indicate a spherical form. Labored into the dial is a neat date window at 6 o’clock, utilized hour markers full of Tremendous-LumiNova, and a minute observe that tucks in towards the bezel. The yellow strap itself is constructed from vulcanised rubber designed to really feel like leather-based, and it has a versatile iron core to enhance its power.
The opposite consideration for a tennis watch is its skill to deal with shocks. Even worn on a non-dominant hand, your watch is sure to be uncovered to loads of power throughout the common match. Making certain {that a} mechanical motion isn’t affected by such wild motion is difficult, however the Vaucher GCA 3002 makes use of an Incabloc system to attain a shock resistance of forces as much as 5G. That’s been put into apply with testing by Andrea Vavassori and Hubert Hurkacz, who’ve each frolicked at No. 6 within the ATP world rankings.
It’s received an influence reserve of fifty hours and a 4Hz beat fee for a clean seconds sweep, and it winds robotically. You may see its colimaçonnage, côtes de Genève and perlage finishes via the sapphire show caseback together with the golden winding rotor and its honeycomb motif.
The Gerald Charles Maestro GC Sport Tennis is proscribed to 200 items. Worth: CHF 17,600, US$20,700
Model | Gerald Charles |
Mannequin | Maestro GC Sport Tennis |
Reference | GC2.0-TX-TNSB-24GR-RSVC |
Case Dimensions | 39mm (W) x 9mm (T) x 41mm (LTL) |
Case materials | Grade 5 titanium |
Water Resistance | 100 metres |
Crystal(s) | Sapphire back and front |
Dial | Yellow fumé |
Strap | Vulcanised rubber strap with Velcro closure |
Motion | GCA 3002, Vaucher-made, automated |
Energy Reserve | 50 hours |
Capabilities | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
Availability | Restricted to 200 items |
Worth | CHF 17,600 US$20,700 |
The Twenty fifth-anniversary celebration at Gerald Charles continues with the brand new Maestro GC Sport Tennis. This limited-edition watch affords a singular floor end, a vibrant dial, and a cushty strap. For individuals who play the sport often, this watch was made to tackle the courts as an alternative of residing within the spectators’ sales space. We have been lucky to go hands-on with this new launch and are glad to share our ideas.
Gerald Charles continues to adapt its distinctive case form to totally different use circumstances. Extremely sophisticated actions, valuable metallic circumstances, and modern dial finishes describe a number of the choices inside the ever-growing catalog. Right now’s new Maestro GC Sport Tennis is a extra informal tackle the design, nevertheless it works effectively. Better of all, it’s extremely snug on the wrist and might be used whereas enjoying tennis.
Tennis is among the few sports activities I nonetheless play. It’s a implausible recreation as a result of it solely requires one extra participant. It additionally supplies an amazing exercise in a comparatively brief period of time. When enjoying, it’s essential to be snug. Which means light-weight clothes, the suitable sneakers, and a minimal of different equipment. Now and again, although, I select to put on a watch. One thing digital or quartz and titanium often describes my choice. The brand new Gerald Charles Maestro GC Sport Tennis seeks to vary my thoughts and the notions of others by providing a mechanical wristwatch appropriate for the sport.
Certainly, Gerald Charles has prioritized two key attributes with its Maestro GC Sport Tennis that meet my standards. Lightness and luxury are evident within the design and carrying expertise. The watch begins with a 39mm by 41mm Grade 5 titanium case. It additionally maintains a minimal 9mm thickness, together with the flat antireflecetive sapphire crystal.
Talking of antireflective issues, the Maestro GC Sport Tennis incorporates a distinctive Darkblast case. It is a proprietary sandblasted and coated end that resists abrasion and corrosion. The fabric can be used on the titanium loop of the Optic yellow Velcro strap, which looks like nothing on the wrist.
The GC Sport Tennis continues with the acquainted Gerald Charles case form. This contains the stepped, barreled bezel and vertical lugs. From a consolation standpoint, these lugs curve right down to hug the wrist. The model has created an inner ergonomic normal referred to as ErgonTeq, which ensures the proper match for a spread of wrist sizes. Moreover, notice the bizarre placement of the screw-down crown on the left facet of the case as an alternative of the suitable. This prevents any pinching or discomfort throughout sports activities actions like tennis. Fancy leaping within the pool after a match? The Sport Tennis has a 100m depth ranking, so it’ll be prepared for a dip.
The GC Sport Tennis accommodates an Optic yellow dial with a textured end. Nevertheless, it additionally has a dégradé impact in the direction of the perimeters. It possesses a three-dimensional impact that appears like a felt-covered tennis ball. I wasn’t certain in regards to the coloration scheme after I noticed the preliminary photographs. In actual life, although, it really works effectively and achieves the specified sporty really feel. As a sports activities watch, the Maestro GC Sport Tennis additionally accommodates a wholesome stage of Tremendous-LumiNova inside the utilized indexes and arms.
Contained in the GC Sport Tennis, anticipate finding the automated Gerald Charles caliber 2.0 (often known as the Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier GCA3002). We’ve seen this motion in different GC watches, such because the Extremely-Skinny Lapis Lazuli. It’s a beautiful caliber to view by way of the sapphire show, together with colimaçon, Côtes de Genève, and perlage. Efficiency-wise, it has a frequency of 28,800vph and an influence reserve of fifty hours. The gold rotor has the hallmark honeycomb sample, and since it’s 2025, there’s additionally a Twenty fifth-anniversary emblem.
The considered sporting a high-end mechanical watch just like the Maestro GC Sport Tennis may sound a bit unusual, however the watch has been examined extensively by professional gamers Andrea Vavassori and Hubert Hurkacz. At €17,600, the newest launch from Gerald Charles is an opulent splurge, nevertheless it’s distinctive. Plus, if the success of prior releases, such because the Clay and Grass, is any indication, the 200 items will promote out shortly. Does anybody want this watch? No, nevertheless it’s lots of enjoyable!
It is a preferred-position submit. Be taught extra.
Reference
GC2.0-TX-TNSB-24GR-RSVC
Dial
Optic yellow with grained texture and dégradé end
Case Materials
Darkblast Grade 5 Titanium
Case Dimensions
39mm (diameter) × 41mm (size) × 9mm (thickness)
Crystal
Sapphire crystal with internal and exterior multilayer antireflective therapy
Case Again
Titanium and sapphire crystal, affixed with eight screws
Motion
Gerald Charles 2.0 (Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier GCA3002): automated with handbook winding and hacking, 28,800vph frequency, 50-hour energy reserve, 28 jewels, bridges embellished with colimaçon, Côtes de Genève, and perlage finishes, 189 elements
Water Resistance
10 ATM (100 meters)
Strap
Optic yellow Velcro strap with textured end and built-in Darkblast loop
Capabilities
Time (hours, minutes, seconds) and date
Guarantee
Two years, extendable to 5
Particular Notice(s)
Restricted version of 200 items