Girard Perregaux

PeterCDE
10167

• Show profile
• Show other posts

GP Pre-SIHH 2008: GP´s "BAT" is a baaaad thing - the Bi-Axial Tourbillon

GIRARD-PERREGAUX

The origins of the Bi-axial Tourbillon stretch back in a centuries-old quest: the quest for precision in time measurement. At the start of the 19th century, chronometry was marked by a decisive invention: the Tourbillon. This device could compensate for rate irregularities due to the Earth's gravity in upright positions, by means of a mobile cage bearing the regulating part of the watch. The watchmaker Constant Girard, an emblematic figure of the Girard-Perregaux Manufacture, incorporated this device into his watches so remarkably that the Tourbillon he presented in 1867 at the Paris Universal Exhibition won a distinction. Pushing his technical and aesthetic investigations further, he then designed the famous Tourbillon with three gold Bridges, which was awarded with a gold medal. Thereafter, the excellence of the work meant that Girard-Perregaux was classed outside the competition!

Following directly on from this heritage, Girard-Perregaux has now presented another spectacular creation. The Bi-axial Tourbillon, combining two concentric cages, enables the regulating part to make multi-dimensional rotations. An internal cage bearing the balance, balance spring and escapement completes one complete turn on its axis in forty-five seconds. An external cage completes one revolution in one minute and fifteen seconds, enabling a rotation on its second axis. Hence a full revolution is completed in three minutes and forty-five seconds. This genuine aerial ballet offers an extraordinary spectacle, while the alternation of positions enables excellent rate precision. Visible both via the dial and the case-back, the complex mechanism has an astounding delicacy: the two cages weigh just 0.80 grams, yet comprise a total of over one hundred and ten components. A combination of gold, steel and titanium, the cage materials were chosen to provide the best balance and greatest performance. The use of two coaxial barrels, each equipped with two springs, provides a power reserve of seventy-two hours and a constant energy flow.

This fascinating construction is enhanced by an aesthetic that instantly evokes the Girard-Perregaux tradition. The architecture of the perfectly aligned bridges is in the image of Constant Girard's creations, of his succession of research and proposals which gave rise to the Tourbillon with three gold Bridges. This straight and finely hollowed bridge version was inspired in particular by a pocket watch created in the 1860s, which won a first class prize from the Neuchâtel Observatory. This astonishingly modern piece was a forerunner to a completely innovative outlook: the movement was no longer a technical and functional element, but had become a design element in its own right. The tribute to the master watchmaker can be found in every detail of the Bi-axial Tourbillon finishes: the elliptical decoration on the barrel reproduces the pattern on Constant Girard's pocket watch. The bridges are satin-finished, and their bevels are carefully hand polished, to achieve a flawless finish and a completely clean bevel on this tiny precious metal element. After lavish attentions, the majestic forty-five millimetre diameter pink gold case is ready to receive the Tourbillon mechanism.

The history of Girard-Perregaux brought to life in both the aesthetics and technology of the Bi-axial Tourbillon. Everything comes together to make this Haute Horlogerie creation an exceptional model. Even the number of pieces, with just thirty-three to be released.

 



(rendering visualizing the two rotating axis - one complete revolution every 3 Minutes 45 Seconds)

TECHNICAL FEATURES

• Pink gold case
  Diameter: 45 mm
  Height: 18.50 mm
  Sapphire crystal
  Sapphire case-back secured by 6 screws
  Water resistance: 30 metres

Girard-Perregaux manufacture-made movement GPE0201
mechanical with manual winding
Calibre: 15 ^{1/3 ’’’
Fitting diameter: 34 mm
Frequency: 21,600 vibrations/hour (3 Hz)}

<sup>Bi-Axial Tourbillon:
113 components (31 more components compared to conventional tourbillons), 0.80 grams,
One complete revolution in 3 minutes and 45 seconds
Variable inertia balance fitted with gold adjustment screws
inclined balance wheel
Balance spring: Philipps curve; Geneva Stud
Jewels: 28
Nickel silver main plate
Pink gold barrel bridges and central bridge

Power reserve: min. 72 hours, two quick-turning coaxial barrels

Functions: Bi-axial Tourbillon, hour, minute</sup>

^{Alligator strap with pink gold folding buckle}


^{Limited edition of 33 pieces}

• Reference: 99810-52-000-BA6A

  circa 1860

Constant Girard-Perregaux created a pocket watch that won a first class prize from the Neuchâtel Observatory. Its Tourbillon escapement movement had three parallel nickel-plated Bridges. Its case was pink gold, and its dial white enamel. The hollowed bridge (supporting the Tourbillon) would be the source of design inspiration for the Bi-axial Tourbillon watch bridges.

1884

He filed the three Bridge design, which was patented on 25th March in the United States.

1889

In 1889, his masterpiece, the famous Tourbillon with three gold Bridges, the result of many years of development, was awarded a gold medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition, before being declared out of the competition in 1901, for being unmatchable.

1991

Girard-Perregaux's bicentenary year was marked by the miniaturisation of the pocket watch movement, in order to house it in a wristwatch.

2006

With the model Laureato Evo3 Tourbillon with three sapphire Bridges, the Brand presented a technical and innovative version of its renowned Tourbillon.