Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. Genus Goes Sleeker and Simpler, With the Still Singular GNS2 Watch
The GNS2 Launch Edition updates the brand’s incredible display, now sleeker and more intuitive (but not enough yet for teaching time to a junior…)
Genus, an independent brand hailing from Geneva, is the brainchild of Catherine Henry and Sébastien Billières. In 2007, Sébastien Billières co-created GMTI, a company specialising in manufacturing of ‘Geneva Seal’ movements for brands, and gained broader recognition in 2019 with the highly acclaimed Genus GNS1, featuring an exotic time display. Fast forward five years, and after introducing various iterations of Genus’s inaugural timepiece, including the captivating GNS Dragon, the brand unveils the GNS2 Launch Edition. This “simpler” Genus maintains the signature approach to time indication yet is much easier to read.
The new Genus GNS2 debuts within a subtly redesigned 43mm case, 18.8mm thick (including the massive domed crystal – about 13mm without it), crafted from grade 5 titanium and exquisitely finished. The elegantly curved case features hollowed sides, giving it a lighter and more sophisticated visual appeal. The case is topped with a specially produced glass-box-style sapphire crystal, designed without edges to minimise distortions, ensuring unhindered visibility of the hour indication along the dial’s periphery – a crucial aspect of the timepiece’s design.
The GNS2 dial boasts a more straightforward layout compared to its predecessor, yet decoding the time may require more than a glance until one becomes a seasoned Genus user – see below to understand.
The black and grey-toned dial of the GNS2 epitomises symmetry, showcasing two crater-like openings with a matte black bottom base that elegantly form a figure 8. Each “crater” features a polished sloping edge frame leading down to the graduated minutes track and skeletonised wheels. Both subdials boast double-digit numerals engraved in positive relief, with 10, 50, and 60 at the top and 40, 30, and 20 at the bottom. This arrangement is deliberate, as the two wheels move in opposite directions – clockwise and counterclockwise – propelling the train of time-indicating elements in metallic blue, fashioned as arrowheads, on its functional and fluid journey. The first blue arrow indicates the minute, and as anticipated, the minute train takes one hour to traverse the entire 8-track. The movement is unhurried; performing time setting via the crown to savour the spectacle at a higher speed will ensure an appreciation of the craftsmanship on display.
The hour is indicated by the blue three-arrow train gliding along the outer edge of the dial’s hours track, where hours are distinctly marked, with 15-minute intervals also displayed. The dial’s unused central area is meticulously finished with precise hammering, showcasing a refined grainy texture. Six polished rhodium-plated arrow-shaped appliques, three on each side, adorn the dial symmetrically, accompanied by a set of screws with polished tops, neatly embedded within their designated silos.
Powering the new Genus GNS2 is the brand’s in-house hand-wound movement, the 260Rh-2, with a robust 50-hour autonomy. It is crafted from 278 components, including 26 rubies, and operates at a frequency of 18,000 vibrations/hour. The movement is bifurcated: the base, responsible for energy generation and transmission, remains consistent with the GNS1 – a visible comparison through the sapphire crystal caseback reveals minor, aesthetic changes, such as the highlighted blue regulating organ. The second part, a signature Genus module, manages energy distribution and regulation and is specifically designed to display hours and minutes.
The movement serves as a canvas for a myriad of finishes. Notably, Sébastien Billières, in close collaboration with his sister Sarah, meticulously designs and hand-decorates each component.
The Genus GNS2 Launch Edition offers a range of strap options, available in various colours and materials, from alligator and saddle-finish calfskin to padded and stitched rubber. Fastening options include a titanium pin buckle or a folding clasp, available upon request. The prices are CHF 58,250, USD 66,100, or EUR 61,360, all exclusive of VAT. This GNS2 Launch Edition is limited to 18 pieces. For further details, please visit www.genuswatches.swiss.
