Defying gravity Tri-Axial Tourbillon in white gold
Girard-Perregaux, an uncontested point of reference in the production of tourbillon watches, introduces a white gold version of its Tri-Axial Tourbillon. A spectacular watchmaking mechanism designed to maximise timekeeping precision by eliminating the effect of gravity on the regulating organ of the watch.
Although the tourbillon was introduced more than two hundred years ago, watchmakers still trying to improve its efficiency. Girard-Perregaux, a great historical specialist in this queen of complications intended to combat the negative effect of gravity, now increases its complexity and pushes the limits of innovation. The Haute Horlogerie Manufacture has developed a tourbillon with a regulating organ that rotates on three axes instead of the traditional single axis.
The balance performs a ballet that is much more captivating because of the high rotation speed of the different carriages. The interior carriage, shaped like a lyre in the Girard-Perregaux tradition, rotates once every minute. It is fitted into a structure that rotates on another axis every 30 seconds. Lastly, a third structure enables the whole assembly to rotate on yet another axis every 2 minutes. This complex mechanism is flawlessly finished, and its 140 components total only 1.24 g.
The complex architecture of this 13.78 mm diameter mechanism, and its multi-dimensional rotations led to a convex lens being incorporated into its sapphire crystal. This creates enough space for the tourbillon to revolve. A window in the side of the case at 9 o’clock lets light into the heart of the movement, allowing the fascinating mechanism to be viewed from there as well as from the back of the watch. A new feature in the white gold version is a dial with open areas that display even more of the precision mechanism and highlight the modernity of the watch.
These different views of the movement reveal traditional and modern finishes of exceptional quality; mirror-polished surfaces and perfect bevelling indicate its pedigree, as do each of the components that are decorated and finished by hand with the greatest care. On the bridge side, the black-coloured plate, stamped with the Manufacture’s symbol, underlines the modernity of the execution in a play of contrasts with the iconic Girard-Perregaux arrow-shaped bridges in pink gold. The brand logo area, also in pink gold carries the individual number of the watch while “Tri-Axial” is engraved on the satin-finish circular bridge supporting the differential of the tourbillon system.
It takes almost 160 hours for the watchmakers to assemble the 317 components of the movement, which is now fitted into a 48 mm diameter case in white gold. Typical features of Girard-Perregaux Haute Horlogerie collections are its bevelled bezel, elegantly curved middle and streamlined horns. The watch is perfectly complemented by a black, full-grain, hand-stitched alligator strap with a folding clasp in white gold.
The Tri-Axial Tourbillon in white gold is available in a limited edition of 10 pieces.
Girard-Perregaux, Tri-Axial Tourbillon
Technical specifications
Case: white gold
Diameter: 48.00 mm
Dial: Vertical grid (sunburst finish for hour and minute subdial)
Crystal: anti-reflective sapphire with dome to cover the tourbillon
Case-back: anti-reflective domed sapphire crystal
Apertures on the side (9 o’clock) to reveal the movement / anti-reflective toric crystal
Water resistance: 30 meters (3 ATM)
Girard-Perregaux movement GP09300-0002
Mechanical, manual winding movement
Diameter: 36.10 mm (16 ”’)
Thickness: 16.83 mm
Frequency: 21,600 Vib/h – (3 Hz)
Power reserve: min. 60 hours
Jewels: 34
Number of components: 317
Two-arrow Bridges: in pink gold
Tourbillon:
Tourbillon cage: 140 components for 1.24 g
3 axes
One rotation every 1 minute on the first axis, every 30 seconds on the second axis, every 2 minutes on the third axis.
Poised upper and lower cages with pink gold counterpoise
Beveled and hand-polished pallets bridge
Balance wheel: variable inertia with pink gold setting screw
All components of the movement have hand finishing according to Haute Horlogerie criteria.
Functions: Tri-Axial tourbillon, hour, minute, power reserve indicator
Black alligator leather strap with hand stitches
White gold folding buckle
Reference: 99815-53-153-BA6A
10-piece limited edition
Source: Zenith Watches
