TOUR DE FORCE
Girard-Perregaux’s second showing at SIHH offers a selection of tourbillon thrillers
INITIALLY INTENDED TO improve accuracy in timekeeping, the tourbillon now features on watches more as a symbol of savoir-faire and status. Among the greatest makers of the mechanism is the founder of Girard-Perregaux, Constant Girard.
As Girard-Perregaux approaches its 227th anniversary, the watchmaker is returning to its roots by shining the spotlight on the tourbillon and its mesmerising presence. Among this year’s highlights is the marvellously musical Minute Repeater Tri-Axial Tourbillon. Sound transmission has been optimised by moving the hammers and gong rings to the dial side, as well as by fusing the main plate with the titanium case. Two box-type glareproofed concave sapphire crystals have been fitted in the front and back to enhance acoustics, as well as maximise visibility of technical feats within, namely, the minute repeater and the triple-axis flying tourbillon.
Another beautiful piece from this year’s lineup is the Laureato Flying Tourbillon Skeleton, with its handcrafted skeletonised movement.
The mainplate, bridges and oscillating weight are all gorgeously open-worked and the dial is provocatively pared down to just a partial chapter ring with gold hour markers and logo, drawing attention to the going train and flying tourbillon. This 42mm timepiece is available in pink or white gold, with alternating matt and polished surfaces. It beats with the self-winding calibre GP095200001, which oscillates at a frequency of 3Hz.
Finally, there’s the Neo-Tourbillon with Three Bridges Skeleton, an extension of 2014’s NeoTourbillon with Three Bridges. With arched titanium bridges in place of golden ones, this bears an open-worked design driven by a vertical automatic movement with a white gold micro rotor. The watch features a domed crystal that accentuates the beauty of the movement.