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Introduction
Girard-Perregaux and Haute Horlogerie products - a long tradition that spans more than a century.
The roots can be traced back to 1791 and since 1856 the manufactory of La Chaux-de-Fonds bears the name Girard-Perregaux.
Ever since this time, the brand is well known for what may be the most unusual of all tourbillon movements ever:
The Tourbillon Under Three Gold Bridges.
Like no other, these watches represent the philosophy of the brand and the work of it´s founder Constant Girard-Perregaux:
An inspired, impassioned watchmaker, who was probably
the first to stamp his creations with such an eloquent
personalised touch: an amalgamation of beauty, technical
prowess and, according to some, symbolism.
The movement he designed for his Tourbillons with three
gold Bridges, in fact, went so far beyond its technical
function that it became an integral part of the design and
brought the watch instantaneous recognition.
Still today, there is no need to read the name on the dial; one look
is all it needs to identify the make.
This quality, unique in the annals of complicated Haute
Horlogerie, holds true to this day and the most famous of all these early pieces, called "La Esmeralda",
is still an icon for the brand.
picture : 1982 re-issue pocket watch with tourbillon
click to enlarge
The brand did not fail to surprise the watch world in 1982:
the first piece of a limited edition of 20 watches with a Tourbillon Under Three Gold Bridges was proudly presented.
In a time when only few had the optimism to believe there will be a future for the mechanical watches, Girard-Perregaux produced
a pocket watch with a tourbillon in order to re-produce one of the most beautiful pocket watches ever.
picture : 1991 manual wind tourbillon watch
click to enlarge
In 1991 and after 5 years of research and development, the watch world saw the first wrist watch with a Tourbillon Under Three Gold Bridges.
What a perfect way to celebrate the bi-centennial of the brand!
In 1995 a sceleton version was introduced and subsequently, several variations were to follow.
Probably one of the most remarkable creations was a 1998 version, a Tourbillon in a "Laureato" case that clearly demonstrated this movement
was reliable and rugged enough to work in a sports watch.
picture : 1999 tourbillon "Laureato"
click to enlarge
Still today, the contrast of the delicate mechanism and the sportive watch case results in one of the most unusual watches ever made.
In 1999, the automatic version of the Tourbillon Under Three Gold Bridges was introduced.
In 2003, the stunning creation was presented in a Vintage 45 case. A most remarkable watch, combining two unique elements of
Girard-Perregaux in terms of the movement and the watch case.
pictures :
left: 1999 automatic tourbillon watch,
right: 2003 automatic tourbillon, Vintage 45 case
click on the pictures to enlarge
Girard-Perregaux and Ferrari - a magic formula
picture : Luigi Macaluso, President of Girard-Perregaux
This alliance began in 1994.
It has therefore been ten years since GIRARD-PERREGAUX
and FERRARI decided to share part of their history by
founding a true partnership built on strong professional
and cultural similarities.
During this time, the Swiss Manufactory has dedicated
some of its most beautiful timepieces to the prestigious
Italian Manufacturer. Just to name a few:
- the 1994 "Pour Ferrari" Chronograph Rattrapante (split-second),
- the 1996 "F50" Chronograph Perpetual Calendar,
- the "F310-B" Chronograph Perpetual Calendar,
- the "S.F. Foudroyante" Chronograph Rattrapante with "lightning" second.
On each occasion, the watchmakers were inspired by
automotive engineering to create precious, refined objects
of unrivalled beauty and technical sophistication.
picture : Messrs. Luigi Macaluso and
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo
This quest for excellence has been achieved through a
rich creativity honouring FERRARI's history and the use
of special materials, bold design, modern technologies
and the most exacting horological expertise.
What better way to commemorate this tenth anniversary
than bringing together an exceptional car and an
exceptional watch !
The car: the Enzo Ferrari, the most complex ever made
by the Maranello manufacturers and one of FERRARI's
most sculpted models.
The watch: the Tourbillon with three gold Bridges
chronograph and perpetual calendar, one of
GIRARD-PERREGAUX's boldest designs and equipped
with complications that are among the Manufactory's
most ingenious.
Ferrari, a legendary name
The word FERRARI automatically conjures up Formula 1,
the rearing horse emblem, the colour red, and the prestige
racing stable's millions of fans.
To FERRARI's legendary name can be added the names
of the Scuderia's present heroes – Michael Schumacher,
Rubens Barrichello and Jean Todt – as well as all those
who make up the Team and who contribute to the
immense success of the Italian manufacturer, fortunate to
have the extraordinarily skillful Luca Cordero di
Montezemolo at the wheel.
A fact less well known is the CEO of Girard-Perregaux, Dr. Luigi Macaluso, to be a successfull driver himself: Several
championship titles in Italian and European Rallye championships are proof of this.
Dr. Luigi Macaluso and Ferrari F1-engine
For ten years, Luigi Macaluso has designed watches
illustrating the partnership that unites the two companies,
a partnership founded on principles he shares with Luca
Cordero di Montezemolo.
personal watch of Jean Todt - one of three of it´s kind
picture by F1 Live Web Site (www.F1-Live.com)
He has also designed several unique models that he has
dedicated to his friends, the talented heroes of FERRARI.
Both these watches – one made with the most avant-garde
automotive materials, the other a red-dialled
Tourbillon with gold Bridge – convey the same pursuit of
excellence, the same taste for performance and the same
level of technological achievement.
right: Jean Todt (notice the watch)
picture by F1 Live Web Site (www.F1-Live.com)
The Enzo Ferrari, an exceptional car
With its rich tradition in both technology and
performance, the Italian car manufacturer FERRARI has
continually pushed back the boundaries of its expertise.
It was out of this tradition and FERRARI's tried and tested
know-how that the Enzo Ferrari was born.
Everything about the Enzo – its embodiment of the most
advanced technologies applied to Formula 1, its unique
performance, limited-series exclusiveness, sculpted lines
and functional interior – has set new standards in car
construction.
Beyond the car's purely emotional appeal lies an all-important
concept. Based on the transfer of technologies
accumulated by FERRARI in Formula 1 racing, the aim of
this concept was to build a car where the driver's skills
would be increased by Formula 1's man-machine
interface.
Pininfarina's ambition was to create an uncompromising
car and so develop a "new formal language" that looked
to the future.
When the engineers adapted the bodywork to give it a real
Formula 1 look, the result was a complex, sculpted,
compact form.
Every detail was thought out in terms of performance; for
example, the optimal aerodynamic set-up to increase the
grip limit in bends. At very high speeds, this set-up is
maintained by the combined action of flexible mechanical
components and active control of the spoilers.
The chassis, built entirely of carbon fibre and aluminium
honeycomb panels, ensures optimum rigidity, lightness
and safety.
The Enzo also inaugurates a new generation of FERRARI
cars in terms of interior styling. This takes into account
the parameters of the man-machine interface and
provides the driver with optimal conditions for exploiting
the car's extreme performance to the maximum.
Total functionality is provided by the car's
uncompromising spirit, limited space and comfortable
controls access. All the surfaces are made from
unadorned carbon fibre.
Performance and technical data
- Maximum speed : >350 Km/h
- 0-100 Km/h : 3.65 seconds
- Engine
- No of cylinders : 65° V12 cylinder
- Total displacement : 5998 ccs
- Maximum power : 485 kW (660bhp) at 7800 rpm
- Maximum torque : 67 kg (657 Nm) at 5500 rpm
The presentation: March 9-10, Shanghai, China
An outstanding piece like the "Tribute to Enzo Ferrari" deserves a special introduction, which took place on March 9-10, 2004, in Shanghai.
This was a surprise for some, but Girard-Perregaux does have good reasons to choose this location:
"Shanghai is a marvellous venue for
organising the world premičre of this
ultra-complicated Tourbillon with three
gold Bridges. And we are pleased to
have this opportunity to present our full
range of Haute Horlogerie timepieces.
We would like to express our sincere
thanks to all those who honour us with
their presence."
In order to see the presentation and the surrounding events, please feel invited to visit the link below for more of Jaw´s pictured impressions.
click here for a full coverage of the event as of March 9 and 10, 2004 by TJN
a distinguished panel, from left:
Dimitri Aubert (GP Asia Pacific Area Manager),
Maurice Spiri (Directeur Commercial du Groupe Sowind),
Dr. Luigi Macaluso (Chairman and owner du Groupe Sowind),
Nash Benjamin (Deputy CEO, F. J. Benjamin Group),
Tony Fung (Director and General Manager, F.J. Benjamin Hong Kong),
Mark Koh (General Manger, F.J. Benjamin)
The long awaited moment, the unveiling of the watch
"Father Pride": Dr. Luigi "Gino" Macaluso holding his the Tourbillon
Enzo Ferrari - An extreme watch box for an extreme watch ~Gino Macaluso~)
The watch
click to enlarge
To celebrate ten years of fruitful collaboration and to
match the Enzo with a similar degree of advanced
technology, the Manufactory's designers have created a
timepiece whose manifold technical and aesthetic details
make it as unique as it is bold.
click on the pictures to enlarge
Four counters on the carbon grey dial ingeniously
combine the chronograph and perpetual calendar
functions, with date hand and second counter at 12
o'clock, 24-hour counter and moon phases at 3, days
of the week and 12-hour counter at 6, and at 9, the
minute counter and four-year counter, with the
automatic correction of months with less than 31
days, even in leap years.
This version harmonises perfectly with the extreme
concept of Formula 1 as the Manufactory's designers
have decorated the year cycle with the same colours used
on racing car instrument panels.
The Manufactory's technical and aesthetic prowess,
however, goes well beyond this subtle touch.
back view and movement: GP calibre 9982
One look at the back of the watch will reveal a totally
new version of the Tourbillon with three gold Bridges
movement.
The gold of the Tourbillon's emblematic three arrows
contrasts with the plate, whose surface has been
skilfully hand-guilloched with a circular pattern. The
delicacy of this satin finish can only be fully appreciated
through a magnifying-glass.
Barrel-drum and Tourbillon
Motif from the Enzo’s engine
The barrel-drum has been decorated with a motif from
the Enzo's engine that only the most astute of
connoisseurs will identify.
Ferrari Enzo engine
A fascinating sight.
The "technical" decoration goes nicely with the overall design of this piece -
like the car, the technical features are emphasized by a very special look.
Due to the darker tone of the rosé gold bridges, the barrel and the tourbillon cage appear to be more dominant and
catching than other Three Gold Bridges movements.
Nonetheless, the fine anglage of the movement carriage, the flat-polishing of the steel parts and the
fine perlage under the tourbillon boss goes very nicely with the otherwise matte finished base plate.
Yet, the fine and shiny anglage around the recessed portion of the base plate emphasizes the technical parts of this movement very nicely.
A most beautiful and interesting combination of a very new technical look and traditional decorative elements.
Even more impressive is the fact the Three Gold Bridges Tourbillon, which origins go back more than 130 years, is capable to power
such a demanding complication as a Chronograph with Perpetual Calendar; especially a chronograph needs quite a bit of
movement power. Another aspect that reveals how very special GP´s Three Gold Bridges Tourbillon movements are.
detail: the most unusual and beautiful watch box with winder;
the end screw on the right is a an exquisite watch pusher
detail: the colour scheme of the month / minute counter subdial matches the car's speedometer
Two dial versions will be issued:
A limited edition for the Ferrari owner and a regular edition.
Only 349 Enzo Ferrari cars are to be built, therefore the number of watches will be 349 pieces or less (to be decided at a later date).
The total annual production reportedly is scheduled to be 8 pieces for this year and between 15 and 25 pieces (of both versions) for the next year.
For the first time and exclusive to ThePuristS.com, both the regular and the limited edition dials are pictured here:
click on the pictures to enlarge
Technical Data: |
| Movement : | GP 9982 movement, mechanical hand-wound |
| Special features : | Tourbillon with three gold Bridges, chronograph and perpetual date, eleven hands |
| Diameter : | 30 mm |
| Height : | 11 mm |
| Rubies : | 46 |
| Frequency : | 21,600 vib/h – 3 Hz |
| Power reserve : | 70 hours |
| Plate : | hand-guilloched with circular pattern, recesses circular-grained by hand, rim of recesses diamond-polished |
| Bridges : | pink gold, hand-polished and hand-chamfered hand-polished jewel sinks and screws |
| Cage : | 72 components weighing 0.3 grams, balanced, chamfered and polished by hand |
| Chronograph and Perpetual calendar : | rhodium-plated, circular-grained decoration |
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| Case : | White gold case (on request: platinum, pink gold, or yellow gold case) |
| Diameter : | 43 mm |
| Height : | 17.30 mm |
| Pushers : | 2 pushpieces for the chronograph functions |
| Correctors : | 4 perpetual calendar correctors |
| Water-resistance : | 30 metres |
| Back : | sapphire crystal secured with six screws |
| Strap : | hand-sewn crocodile leather with folding clasp |
| Presentation box : | lacquered wood and carbon fibre, specially equipped with a motor for rewinding the movement, transparent inner cover and lacquered wood lid |
Peter
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