To celebrate its 225th anniversary, Girard-Perregaux for Baselworld 2016 presented a wristwatch inspired by the Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges pocket chronometer that won the gold medal at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1889. Introducing the Girard-Perregaux Esmeralda Tourbillon.
First some back history of the iconic Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges. The layout of the original pocket watch was patented in 1884, to create the Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges complication, a unique signature of Girard-Perregaux.
This watch structure, made it possible for the pocket watch with a tourbillon, pivoted detent and three gold bridges, presented at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1889, to win the gold medal in its category.
The Girard-Perregaux pocket watch with tourbillon, pivoted detent and three gold bridges that won a gold medal at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1889.
The new Girard-Perregaux Esmeralda Tourbillon has an 18-carat pink-gold case measuring 44 mm in diameter. The mainplate features a barrel bridge, geartrain bridge and tourbillon bridge made from solid gold. Their double-headed arrow design is entirely hand-decorated and is certainly inspired by the bridges of the historical Esmeralda. The surface of the arrows is mirror-polished, the edges are chamfered by hand and the flanks are drawn. The tourbillon carriage, which is comprised of 80 components, is entirely hand-finished and has a rotation of once per minute, houses a balance wheel which oscillates at 21,600 vibrations per hour (3Hz) and benefits from a large moment of inertia.
Front view of the new Girard-Perregaux Esmeralda Tourbillon
The self winding calibire GP09400, is a 16-ligne movement, developed and manufactured in-house, takes up the entire case-band and, especially for the occasion, features a 14.3 mm diameter tourbillon carriage and a 10.5 mm diameter balance wheel. The unidirectional automatic winding system developed by Girard-Perregaux breaks new ground by now calling on a rotor positioned concentrically under the barrel and not on the outer edge. The movement has a power reserve of 60 hours.
The iconic three bridges stand out at every angle of the Girard-Perregaux Esmeralda Tourbillon.
To complete the look the watch has a black alligator strap with pink-gold triple folding clasp.
The new Girard-Perregaux Esmeralda Tourbillon is a great looking timepiece and what a way for Girard-Perregaux to celebrate its 225th anniversary.
For more information please visit Girard-Perregaux
Technical Specifications
Case
Material: pink gold
Diameter: 44.00 mm
Thickness: 14.55 mm
Crystal: anti-reflective sapphire
Back: sapphire
Dial: n/a
Hands: “Dauphine”-type hands
Water-resistance: 30 meters (3 atm)
Movement
Movement: Girard-Perregaux GP09400-0004
mechanical with automatic winding
Diameter: 36.60 mm (16’’’)
Height: 8.41 mm
Frequency: 21,600 vph – (3 Hz)
Power reserve: min. 60 hours
Number of components: 310
Jewels: 27
Functions: Tourbillon, hours, minutes, small second on the tourbillon.
Tourbillon
Tourbillon carriage housing 80 components, weight: 0.305 g
Strap
Strap in black hand-stitched alligator
Clasp: pink-gold triple folding clasp
Reference: 99275-52-000-BA6E
