Podcast

Keeping Time S10 E04: Octavio Garcia, Creative Director of Gerald Charles

By Oster Jewelers | June 11, 2026 0 Comments

One of the most famous names in watch circles, Octavio Garcia is today the Creative Director for Gerald Charles. Previously, the American-born designer was Creative Director for Audemars Piguet during the all-important brand-building period from 2002-2015. Octavio is responsible for some of the most ground-breaking and sought after Royal Oak Offshore designs, including the famed series inspired by Formula 1 drivers such as Juan Pablo Montoya and Rubens Barichello, as well as expanding the Millenary collection with extraordinary creations such as the Pianoforte, inspired by and paying homage to Quincy Jones.

Join us as we take a deep dive and discuss the extraordinary career of the Chicago-born designer. From the earlier days working with Jean-Claude Biver to the most logical step in creating his own brand, Gorilla Watches. Finally to today, and possibly the most natural progression, taking on design responsibilities for the brand created by the Maestro himself, Gérald Charles Genta, the designer who gave the world the Royal Oak for Audemars Piguet and the Nautilus for Patek Philippe, as well as the Ingenieur for IWC, and countless other enduring designs. Today the “Maestro” case design, penned by the late designer himself in the early 2000’s, is like a gift to the talented Octavio Garcia. The unique and charismatic case provides a inviting challenge for creative design. Listen in as we discuss the latest creation unveiled at Watches and Wonders, a world first Perpetual Calendar with asymmetrical movement, which perfectly compliments the unique shape of the Maestro case for an ideally balanced design. Listen in as we learn about the intricacies of the design’s layout and the truly unique approach to the movement layout itself.

This unique episode provides a wonderful window into the creative approach and inspiration that drives Octavio Garcia as he continues to pen the incredible designs that will delight and provide timeless watches for today and generations in the future.

Thank you, as always, for downloading and listening to Keeping Time Podcast. The ultimate compliment is if you would share Keeping Time with your friends and, of course, if you could take a moment to post a favorable review on your chosen podcast platform.

Please reach out with any comments or suggestions for future directly at [email protected].

^{Octavio hard at work in his design studio}