The Gerald Genta Arena Metasonic was a 2009 grande sonnerie watch limited to 10 pieces and priced at $900,000. It has a 46 mm case, a manually wound movement with a tourbillon, and a sonnerie that strikes the hours and quarters.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Gerald Genta (now part of Bulgari) |
| Model | Arena Metasonic |
| Launch | 2009 |
| Edition | 10 pieces, about a year to make each |
| Case | 46 mm, titanium with steel and special alloys |
| Movement | Manual winding, tourbillon, about 850 parts |
| Price at launch | $900,000 |
Who was Gerald Genta
Gérald Genta (1931 to 2011) was a Swiss watch designer born in Geneva, best known for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak (1970) and the Patek Philippe Nautilus (1976). He also designed for IWC, Omega, Universal Genève and Cartier. He died on 17 August 2011.
His eponymous company was acquired by Bulgari in 2000. Genta then started a new venture, Gerald Charles, and as of 2010 Gerald Genta watches were sold only under the Bulgari brand.
What makes the Arena Metasonic special
It is a grande sonnerie, one of the most complicated types of striking watch. It strikes the hours and quarter hours with a different tone for each quarter, and it offers a silent mode, a petite sonnerie (shorter chime) and a grande sonnerie (longer chime).
Genta developed a proprietary alloy for the case, and the exact composition was kept secret, to shape the sound. The watch has two power reserve indicators, one for the movement and one for the sonnerie. The rear shows the movement through a sapphire back, and the strap is ostrich leather.
What does it cost today
The launch price was $900,000 in 2009. Later reports said that after Bulgari absorbed the brand, the piece was renamed Magsonic and priced around $950,000 to $1 million. We could not verify a current price, and with only 10 pieces made, sales are rare.
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FAQ
How much does the Gerald Genta Arena Metasonic cost?
It launched in 2009 at $900,000, limited to 10 pieces. Later reports gave about $950,000 to $1 million for the renamed Magsonic.
Who designed the Arena Metasonic?
Gerald Genta’s watchmaking house, which was owned by Bulgari from 2000. Gérald Genta himself died in 2011.
What is a grande sonnerie?
A striking watch that chimes the hours and quarters automatically, with a longer chime that gives the time to the minute.
How many were made?
Ten, each taking about a year to build.
What did Gérald Genta design?
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the Patek Philippe Nautilus, among others.
Last updated: October 2026.
