G irard Perregaux, a cornerstone of Swiss watchmaking, is celebrated for its pioneering spirit and centuries-long legacy. Founded in 1791, the maison has been relentless in its pursuit of blending tradition with innovation. Among Girard Perregaux's contributions to haute horlogerie is the patented three-bridge tourbillon movement, a symbol of elegance and mechanical mastery first introduced in the 19th century and reimagined for modern collectors.
The brand's rich history is reflected in its diverse catalog, from the avant-garde creations of the Girard Perregaux Golden Bridges and Minute Repeater complications to the contemporary sophistication of the Laureato collection.
Girard Perregaux Reference 99820 Piece Unique Golden Bridges Minute Repeater Tourbillon, Circa 2015, 177,800 USD
This Girard Perregaux Reference 99820 Piece Unique Golden Bridges Minute Repeater Tourbillon sold for 177,800 USD in March 2024.
This Girard Perregaux watch held all of the classical proportions of the brand's renown Golden Bridges compilation.
A trailblazer in horological innovation, Constant Girard secured a patent for his first 'three-bridge movement' in 1884. Five years later, his inaugural three-bridge tourbillon watch further solidified his legacy by winning the gold medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1889.
Between 1865 and 1911, Girard Perregaux registered 57 tourbillon watches at the Observatory of Neuchâtel. This was the first Golden Bridges complication which combined a repeater mechanism with gongs and hammers visible to the front of the skeletonized dial, in addition to a central tourbillon carriage.
Encased in a uniquely crafted fusion of pink gold and titanium, this Girard Perregaux watch embodied both design prestige and mechanical sophistication.
Girard Perregaux Minute Repeater Tri-Axial Tourbillon Reference 99830, Circa 2022, 882,000 HKD
This Girard Perregaux Minute Repeater Tri-Axial Tourbillon Reference 99830 sold for 882,000 HKD in October 2022 during Sotheby's Important Watches sale in Hong Kong.
The Girard Perregaux Minute Repeater Tri-Axial Tourbillon was a product of two remarkably advanced and technically challenging complications.
Rarely seen in fine watchmaking, titanium is very difficult to work with due to its strength and toughness. In this instance, the crafts of Girard Perregaux resulted in a powerful and elegant titanium case that ensured lightness and comfort. The low-density nature of titanium also allowed for maximum auditory efficiency of the minute repeater complication, resulting in impeccably precise, powerful and harmonious chimes as the hammers struck.
Also housed within the movement was a tourbillon spinning on three different axes at varying speeds, creating a maximum of points where flaws in equilibrium and imbalances could cancel each other out regardless of the watch’s position.
With its semi-skeletonised dial, the minute repeater and tourbillon cages of this Girard Perregaux watch were on view to be admired.
Girard Perregaux Reference 995550.0.51.1530 Golden Bridges Tourbillon Repetition Minutes, Circa 1995, 63,500 USD
This Girard Perregaux Reference 995550.0.51.1530 Golden Bridges Tourbillon Repetition Minutes was an extremely rare rendition of the famous Girard Perregaux Golden Bridges complication, combining tourbillon and minute repeater complications.
In 1986, the Research and Development team at Girard-Perregaux were charged with designing and producing a wristwatch version of the three bridge tourbillon to be ready in time for the company's 1991 bicentenary. The movement of the three golden bridges appears beautifully simple, yet it masks the remarkable mechanical complexity of its design. It is this classic design that has arguably made it the most visibly recognizable tourbillon wristwatch.
The piece was accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from the time of manufacture in 1996. An additional Certificate of Authenticity was provided in 2009 at the time of service, confirming that this Girard Perregaux watch was one of only one of four ever produced with a yellow gold case.
Girard Perregaux Reference 99050 Three Bridges Tourbillon, Circa 1990, 42,000 USD
This Girard Perregaux Reference 99050 Three Bridges Tourbillon sold for 42,000 USD in June 2024 during Sotheby's Important Watches sales in New York.
This Girard Perregaux watch dated to circa 1990 and was housed in a 39mm platinum case.
Presented in skeletonized form with exquisite decoration on the three golden bridges, this limited edition was a testament to the brand's ability to respect the heritage of the brand's founder while presenting a strikingly modern timepiece.
Girard Perregaux Laureato Reference 81010-32-631-32A, Circa 2022, 114,300 HKD
This Girard Perregaux Laureato Reference 81010-32-631-32A sold for 114,300 HKD in July 2023.
The Girard Perregaux Laureato Reference 81010-32-631-32A was a striking watch that combined modern materials with the Laureato's signature design ethos. Crafted entirely from black ceramic, the watch showcased a 42mm case with a sapphire crystal case back, allowing a glimpse of the GP01800 automatic movement.
The dial, adorned with a "Clous de Paris" guilloché pattern, complemented the black aesthetic while ensuring legibility with its stick indices and hands.
Equipped with a black ceramic integrated bracelet and titanium double-folding clasp, this Girard Perregaux Laureato maintained a sleek, harmoneous appearance. Introduced in 2018, this model highlighted Girard Perregaux's dedication to innovation and craftsmanship, this time in material innovation versus employing advanced complications.
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