Girard-Perregaux Baselworld 2015 Preview: The New Amazing Tri-Axial Tourbillon In White Gold

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.

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. Retail price on application.

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The Hour Glass is the exclusive distributor of Girard-Perregaux in Singapore.