Dear forumners,

First, I must declare no financial interest in the watch below. 

The background chatter amongst PuristS collectors has reached sufficient level that I am compelled to bring your attention to a rare Girard-Perregaux Three-Bridge tourbillon for auction at Christies on 15 June in New York City.

You can read all the academic text reproduce with permission from Christies but the real interesting points are summarised by a Girard-Perregaux expert who remains anonymous:

"It is rather rare to have a 3-bridges tourbillon fitted in an open-face pocket watch in the 1880s. This one also has the pecularity of mixing two bridge shapes (straight and arrow-shape) on the same movement. The Guinand tourbillon cage and pivoted detent escapement are of particular technical interest."

We hope to bring more information after the auction depending on who the new buyer is.....

Meanwhile, below is the official Christies text (with permission):

FINE WATCHES AUCTION
Christie’s New York
15 Jun 2011

Lot 197
GIRARD-PERREGAUX. A FINE AND RARE 18K GOLD OPENFACE TRIPLE-BRIDGE TOURBILLON POCKET CHRONOMETER
SIGNED GIRARD-PERREGAUX, CHAUX-DE-FONDS, MARQUÉS DE SANTA MARIA, CIRCA 1880
Nickel-finished triple-bridge movement, Guinand-type 2 polished steel tourbillon carriage, pivoted detent escapement, bi-metallic compensation balance, blued steel hairspring, white enamel dial, Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds, the case, pendant and bow finely chased with foliate scrolls, glazed display back, dial and movement signed; 55mm diam.
Estimate: US$ 30,000 - 50,000

Regards,

MTF