By Osheen Arakelian
Girard-Perregaux are no strangers in the world of Haute Horology and their production of tourbillon watches are beautiful and always eye catching. So it’s no surprise that with an already eye catching and beautiful tri-axial tourbillon, Girard-Perregaux has decided to expand the range with the introduction of a new white gold version of the Tri-Axial Tourbillon timepiece.
The tourbillon has been around for more than 200 years and was introduced to combat the negative effects of gravity on timekeeping. Traditionally, the tourbillon escapement operates on a single axis making it spin in a circular motion. What is revolutionary about the Tri-Axial Tourbillon is that it has been developed with a regulating organ that rotates on 3 axes instead of the tradition single axis. The balance performs a ballet with its mesmerising high rotation speed of with which the different carriages rotate. The interior cage that is shaped like a lyre in the Girard-Perregaux tradition rotates once every minute and is fitted into a structure that rotates on another axis every 30 seconds. Lastly, a 3rd structure enables the entire assembly to rotate again on yet another axis every 2 minutes. It truly is a beautiful sight to behold and houses 140 components and weighing only 1.24 grams.
With such a beautiful escapement it was only fitting that the case show off this work of art and that is where the introduction of a convex lens has been incorporated into a sapphire crystal. This not only serves a practical function but also a window to display the beautiful Tri-Axial Tourbillon. The window is located at 9 o’clock and is completely see through and stretches from top to bottom. This gives you a complete view regardless of how you are admiring the piece whether on the wrist or on display. Another new feature in this particular variant is a dial with open areas that display eve more of the precision mechanism and highlight the modernity of the timepiece.
The different views of the movement reveal traditional and modern finishes including mirror-polished surfaces and perfect bevelling, not to mention each of the components that are decorated and finished by hand with the greatest care. On the bridge side, the black plate is stamped with the manufacture’s symbol and highlights the modernity of the piece with the stark contrast when compared to the Girard-Perregaux arrow-shaped bridges in pink gold. It takes almost 160 hours for the master watchmakers to assemble the individual components of the movement and complete all the detail work and engraving. This also includes detailing such as the bevelled bezel and the stylishly curved middle and streamlined horns. Completed with a hand-stitched black alligator strap with folding clasp also finished in white gold.
The Tri-Axial Tourbillon in white gold is limited to just 10 pieces.
For more info, please visit girard-perregaux.com
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
Osheen Arakelian – Contributing Editor
Drawing on a lifelong love of horology and a more recent introduction to appreciation of fine whisky, Osheen brought the two together with watch & whisky. He is proprietor of the site, which covers everything related to watches and whisky. In between completing a degree in commercial law and supporting a rich social life, he is out and about attending all the latest watch and whisky events Sydney has to offer. His passion has also taken him around Australia attending a number of events and he hopes to continue his career in the watch industry on a more serious level after he graduates. Read his articles here.
