Gerald Charles Elevates the Masterlink with Exceptional Stone Dials
Three 10-piece editions pair natural stone with color-matched gemstones
Few dial materials offer as much individuality as natural stone. Formed over millions of years, each mineral reveals unique patterns, colors, and inclusions, ensuring that no two dials are ever alike. With the Masterlink Gem Set Stone Dial, Gerald Charles presents one of the most exclusive interpretations of this growing trend in contemporary haute horlogerie. The asymmetrical stone dials are exceptionally difficult to manufacture, while color-coordinated gemstones set into the white-gold bezel further enhance their distinctive appearance. It is therefore no surprise that the three versions — Black Iron Eye, Blue Spectrolite, and Green Aventurine — are each limited to only 10 pieces worldwide.
Masterlink Gem Set Stone Blue Spectrolite
Gerald Charles
Shaped to Perfection
The greatest challenge of the Masterlink collection lies in precisely shaping natural stone to match the watch’s signature asymmetrical case, based on original drawings by legendary watch designer Gérald Genta. Inspired by a 17th-century Roman monument, the case combines the geometry of a square and an octagon with the collection’s signature “smile” at 6 o’clock. Unlike a conventional round dial, a stone blank cannot simply be cut into a circle. Instead, it must follow the complex contours of the case with absolute precision, as even the smallest imperfection or internal stress can cause the material to fracture.
Masterlink Gem Set Stone Blue Spectrolite
Gerald Charles
Production begins with solid blocks of stone whose colors and patterns remain hidden until the first cut is made. Carefully selected pieces are then gradually ground and polished from approximately 1mm down to a thickness of just 0.55mm. Machining the intricate asymmetrical profile requires exceptional craftsmanship and inevitably results in a high rejection rate. Only after more than 24 hours of meticulous hand-finishing does a completed dial emerge — each one a truly unique creation.
Masterlink Gem Set Stone Green Aventurine
Gerald Charles
Three Stones, Three Distinct Personalities
The collection is available with three rare natural stones, each paired with a gemstone-set white-gold bezel in matching colors. The Green Aventurine version features Brazilian aventurine, whose shimmering mineral inclusions evoke a star-filled night sky. Its bezel is set with 60 baguette-cut tsavorites. The Blue Spectrolite model showcases the optical phenomenon known as labradorescence. Depending on the angle of the light, vivid shades of blue, green, gold, and violet appear across the Finnish stone. A white-gold bezel set with 60 baguette-cut blue sapphires complements the dial.
Masterlink Gem Set Stone Black Iron Eye
Gerald Charles
Perhaps the most striking version features Iron Eye from South Africa. Formed from iron- and silica-rich deposits over nearly 2.5 billion years, the stone combines hematite, jasper, and tiger’s eye in dramatic layered patterns. Its exceptional hardness and varying mineral densities make it one of the most technically demanding stones to machine. The result is a dial that offers a unique geological cross-section unlike any other.
An Ultra-Thin Manufacture Movement
Housed inside the 38mm by 38mm stainless-steel case, which measures just 7.9mm thick and offers 100 meters of water resistance, is the ultra-thin automatic caliber GCA 1000. Measuring only 2.67mm thick, the movement comprises 189 components and is decorated with Côtes de Genève, circular graining, and hand-finished bevels. A recessed micro-rotor, visible through the sapphire crystal caseback, provides efficient winding while preserving the movement’s exceptionally slim profile. The caliber beats at 3 Hz and offers a 50-hour power reserve.
An Integrated Bracelet
The Masterlink Gem Set Stone Dial is paired with an integrated stainless-steel bracelet that reflects the same attention to detail as the case itself. Its links are connected through a concealed construction, leaving the engineering almost entirely invisible. The butterfly clasp is equally discreet, with its mechanism hidden from view and the push-buttons seamlessly integrated into the design. The result is a fluid transition between case and bracelet that enhances both wearing comfort and the watch’s elegant appearance.
The Gerald Charles Masterlink Gem Set Stone Dial is limited to 10 pieces in each of its three versions. Pricing is available upon request.
