Introduction
Few watch designers have a legacy as broad as Gérald Genta. Beyond creating icons including the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus, Genta established his own manufacture and explored a far more playful side of watchmaking, famously incorporating Disney characters into mechanically sophisticated watches. His Fantasy collection paired Mickey Mouse and other characters with complications including jumping hours and retrograde displays, creating an unlikely combination of haute horlogerie and pop culture that has become one of the most recognisable aspects of the Gérald Genta name.
Released in 2022, the Arena Bi-Retrograde Mickey Mouse revived that idea with one of its most complicated displays. Against a natural mother-of-pearl dial, Mickey's white-gloved hand indicates the retrograde minutes across a 210-degree arc, while the hours jump digitally through an aperture at 10 o'clock and a second retrograde hand indicates the date below. Mickey himself is depicted preparing to kick a football, an appropriately sporting theme for a watch launched during the year of the FIFA World Cup. Powered by a Bulgari automatic movement with a dedicated jumping-hour and bi-retrograde module, reference 103786 was produced as a limited edition of 200 pieces.
Loupe This Scorecard
Grade
M 8.5
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Box, warranty, card, setting pin and two hangtags
Est. value range
$10,000 – $20,000
The Details
Brand
Gerald Genta
Dimensions
41mm
Model
Arena Bi-Retrograde Mickey Mouse Playing Football
Movement
Automatic Bulgari calibre BVL 300 with bi-retrograde and jumping-hour module
Reference
103786
Bracelet
Rubber strap
Year
2022
Condition
Excellent
Material
Stainless Steel
Included
Box, warranty, card, setting pin and two hangtags
Dial Color
Mother-of-pearl
THE DIAL
The natural mother-of-pearl dial places Mickey Mouse at the centre of the complication, with his mobile white-gloved hand indicating retrograde minutes. Jumping hours appear through an aperture at 10 o'clock, while a separate openworked hand tracks the retrograde date across the lower 180-degree scale. Mickey's footballing figure required more than 20 manual operations to produce.
THE CONSTRUCTION
The polished stainless steel Arena case measures 41mm and combines a rounded bezel with straight lugs, a fluted case band and protective crown guards. An additional corrector at nine o'clock facilitates adjustment, while a sapphire case back reveals the decorated movement and GG-signed rotor. Water resistance is rated to 100 metres.
TIMING MACHINE READOUT
This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.
Condition
Watch is in overall excellent condition. The steel case shows surface scratches, with a few nicks and scratches to the polished bezel. The display case back has crisp engravings, with all black enamel remaining intact. The dial and hands are in near-mint condition. It is fitted with a red textured rubber strap and stainless steel Gérald Genta folding clasp showing light scratches. Comes with box, warranty, card, setting pin and two hangtags.
Our Perspective
Genta's character watches are compelling precisely because the cartoon imagery was never an excuse for simplistic watchmaking. Here, Mickey is quite literally incorporated into a sophisticated display combining jumping hours with two retrograde indications. The mother-of-pearl dial and football theme give reference 103786 its own identity, while the 200-piece production makes it a particularly distinctive modern continuation of one of Gérald Genta's most wonderfully unconventional ideas.
Eric Ku
Co-founder
