(MENAFN- USA Art News) Who says you can't mix a cartoon icon with horological luxury and precision engineering? Leave it to the imaginative folks at gérald genta —purchased by Bulgari in 2000—to make that happen with the newest special-edition offering from the famed watch brand, whose pieces swiftly sell out and become instant collectors items.
With the playful spirit that's kept Mickey Mouse a fan favorite for more than 90 years, Disney's main mascot is shown gleefully kicking around a soccer ball while also keeping the time. You can grab your own for $23,200, though take note: while the 200-piece series launched to coincide with the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, there's already a waiting list.
The mechanics of this Gérald Genta Arena bi-retrograde timepiece include automatic bi-directional winding, retrograde minutes, and jumping hours. It's also got a 42-hour power reserve, a 41-millimeter stainless steel case, 33 jewels, a transparent case back, and a red textured rubber bracelet. Minutes are expressed in red decals, with 14 plates of mother-of-pearl coming together to create the color of the dial. Parts of the dial are also lacquered to add brilliance and the effect of volume.
Genta gave the world his first Mickey Mouse watch in 1969. (In fairness to other cartoon animals, the designs have also featured Donald Duck.) And clearly, the house of Genta wants Mickey to stay fit; previous watch incarnations include mickey golfing and the mouse all dressed up for motor-racing. Is there anything this mouse can't do?
Known as the Picasso of watchmaking, Genta passed in 2011, but his watches continue to be highly prized collectibles. His personal audemars piguet royal oak broke a world record at Sotheby's earlier this year for most valuable vintage Audemars Piguet, selling for $2.1 million. And last year's mickey mouse timepiece, part of a limited edition of 150, sold out months before it was available.
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