Genus presents a watch with a spectacular centerpiece: a guardian dragon in motion that indicates the passage of time. Bringing together Haute Horlogerie, mechanical engineering, goldsmithing, sculpture and engraving:to create a fascinating equilibrium between technical constraints and aesthetic requisites. 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.
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. Now, 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
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. 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 18K rose gold segments follow the celestial trajectory of the analemma —figure eight—, the singular signature of Genus. The Genus Dragon is cased in 18K white gold with a 43 mm case diameter and a thickness of 18.8 mm.
The dragon’s body is a fluid sculpture of 18K rose gold, composed of eleven segments that move freely, one behind the other, and form the whole creature. 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.
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. The movement had to be assembled, disassembled, and reassembled three times to achieve the dragon’s natural, and fascinating, litheness and expressiveness. 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. 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 diagram below shows how time is read on the Genus Dragon.
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. To indicate the time there are 12 satellite indices and 11 mobile elements transitioning between two counter-rotating wheels.
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. 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 Genus Dragon is delivered on a calfskin strap —alligator upon request— in the choice of color with a pin buckle in 18K white gold —deployant available upon request.
Sticker Price CHF 150,000 Swiss Francs —approximately $160,000 USD. For more info on Genus click here.
