Designer Gerald Genta was the man behind classic successes for brands ranging from Patek Philippe (Nautilus) to IWC (Ingenieur) and Bulgari (Bulgari Bulgari) to Omega, but none more so than a watch he was commissioned to come up with for Audemars Piguet in 1970.
As Genta recalled later, the brief – delivered by telephone – was for something “new and totally waterproof” and he duly set to work, pencilling it that night. His inspiration? The traditional diver’s helmet with its framed “portholes” secured by visible screws.