Home » Baselworld - World Watch and Jewellery Show » Baselworld 2014 Review – Girard-Perregaux Neo-Tourbillon with Three Bridges
A month ago, during the Baselworld 2014, Girard-Perregaux unveiled several novelties. If you follow my taste, one of the most interesting is Neo-Tourbillon timepiece with Three Bridges that boasts some stunning architecture!
Girard-Perregaux Neo-Tourbillon with Three Bridges Watch
The Tourbillon with Three Golden Bridges has been an important part of the brand’s history for more than 150 years, as well as the major force in Girard-Perregaux’s current collection. Its architecture breathes new life into the 150-year-old Three Bridges.
This newcomer preserved the strength of the original model and its identity codes, such as a symmetrical design, an aligned gear-train, a tourbillon case at the 6 o’clock position and a micro-rotor mounted under the barrel at the 12 o’clock position. Changes have been made in the design of the Bridges, the shape of the crystal, as well as in the heart of the entirely redesigned caliber that is larger than the previous model.
The Neo-Tourbillon with Three Bridges is characterized with the depth and the dimensionality of the dial, the modern aesthetics, as well as with beautiful shapes and lines.
Girard-Perregaux Neo-Tourbillon with Three Bridges Watch Case
The beating heart of the watch is a large GP09400 caliber which consists of 245 individual parts. The movement has a beating rate of 21,600 alternations per hour (3 Hz) that as manufacturer said “ensure excellent performance and longevity.” The impeccable mechanism comprises several exclusive developments.
The tourbillon is a little bit larger and it fits the diameter of 14.44mm. It completes a full rotation in one minute. Also, for the first time, the tourbillon has been made of titanium. As it is expected from GP, it is finished to the standards of haute horlogerie, with recesses and beveled edges.
As you can see – the balance with a special black color is variable thanks to gold regulating screws. It utilizes a Phillips terminal curve balance spring. It incorporates 80 components with the total weight of only 0.25 grams. The watch also features a new winding system. The white gold micro-rotor is now placed entirely under the barrel and not around it as seen with previous Tourbillon with Three Bridges calibers. The mechanism provides an increased power reserve of no less than 72 hours thanks to a larger barrel drum which allows a longer spring to be used.
Girard-Perregaux Neo-Tourbillon with Three Bridges Watch Case Back
The teeth of the drum have been replaced by a gear fastened above it. The gear is engraved, beveled and skeletonized. It boasts 6 tilted arms which are aesthetically pleasing. That is also repeated on other gears of the caliber.
On the back, it incorporates an arrow-shaped black bridge that spans the entire movement. The ratchet situated at the 12 o’clock position is a reminiscent of the shape of a lyre. Furthermore, in reference to the number of Bridges, the number three and its multiples are seen via the watch’s design.
The large titanium bridges have been skeletonzied, sandblasted, and PVD treated. They arch over the exposed gearing from the mainspring to the escapement. They are set into the anthracite ruthenium dial plate which has been also sandblasted to amplify the shift in visual depth.
The dial is protected by a uniquely shaped sapphire crystal which takes the form of a protective dome that sits against the case wall and eliminates the bezel all together. Thus, The Neo-Tourbillon does not have a bezel and makes place for a larger part of the dial to be visible.
Girard-Perregaux Neo-Tourbillon with Three Bridges is housed in a pink gold case which measures 45mm in diameter and 14.45mm in thickness. The watch is accessorized with a hand-stitched black alligator leather strap, fitted with a pink gold folding buckle. The Neo Tourbillon is priced at 145,000 Swiss francs before taxes, which is approximately $160,000 at current f/x. For more, visit Girard-Perregaux online.
