Episode 31: Live from Geneva Seal with Franco & Federico Ziviani of Gerald Charles Pt. 1

Forward Momentum

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Episode 31: Live from Geneva Seal with Franco & Federico Ziviani of Gerald Charles Pt. 1

Todd Searle

Jun 14, 2024

What's happening, watch fans? I am back with another episode in my live collection. I have really enjoyed traveling to and getting to meet with brands, retailers, and collectors, and having the opportunity to record these episodes in person.

In this episode of Forward Momentum, my guests are Franco Ziviani and Federico Ziviani of Gerald Charles, and we are joined by Alex Kats of Geneva Seal, JDR, and Gregwatchman.

We discuss the history and legacy of the brand, the importance of preserving Gerald Genta's vision, and the passion and emotion behind their watches. From a retailer and collector side, we discuss the versatility and wearability of Gerald Charles watches, the craftsmanship and engineering behind their designs, and the familial nature of the brand.

We touch on the gem set and sapphire pieces launched at Watches and Wonders, highlighting the brand's commitment to creating colorful and pleasurable timepieces.

Takeaways

Gerald Charles is a brand that is deeply rooted in the history and legacy of Gerald Genta, and the Ziviani family is committed to preserving his vision.

The passion and emotion behind Gerald Charles watches are what make them truly special and unique.

The brand focuses on creating versatile and wearable timepieces that can be worn in various settings.

Craftsmanship and engineering are key aspects of Gerald Charles watches, with a strong emphasis on functionality and precision.

The gem set and sapphire watches launched at Watches and Wonders showcase the brand's commitment to creating colorful and pleasurable timepieces.

Key Moments

00:00 Introduction to Forward Momentum and Gerald Charles

01:16 The History and Legacy of Gerald Charles

07:24 Passion and Emotion in Watchmaking

13:20 Versatility and Wearability of Gerald Charles Watches

14:35 JDR weighs in

18:00 Gregwatchman weighs in

18:30 The new Masterlink Collection

25:53 Colorful and Pleasurable: The Gem Set and Sapphire Watches

26:20 The tennis collection (& how Alex's allocation might be decided).

27:30 - Why thin watches?

Discussion about this podcast

Forward Momentum

In a world of smart phones and atomic clocks, does mechanical watchmaking still matter? Yes, because mechanical watchmaking is an art form, a tool for self-expression, self-exploration, and a story of protecting a national identity and heritage. Independent watchmaking comprises just about 1% of Swiss watch exports and less than 1% of the total market value, yet independent watchmakers and independent brands have been one of the most dominant forces in the watch industry in the last decade. Jin me to explore the world of independent watchmaking through the eyes of those living it daily.

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