Dramatic Horology from Girard-Perregaux

A futuristic extrapolation of a 19th century movement architecture now considered to be the historical signature of the Manufacture Girard-Perregaux, the Neo-Bridges Automatic Titanium watch heralds a construction approach aimed at bringing a dramatic theatrical touch to tomorrow’s mechanical horology.

Fundamentally retro-futurist in terms of its aesthetic approach, the Neo-Bridges Automatic Titanium adopts a certain vision of forward-looking horology, while remaining entirely in harmony with the history of the brand founded in 1791.

The titanium case is brushed on the sides.

Within this magnificently staged watchmaking show, the new GP08400 self-winding 14 ¼-ligne movement with micro-rotor forms an inseparable whole with the 45mm titanium case that is water-resistant to 30m, fitted with a black alligator leather strap secured by a titanium triple folding clasp. This captivating movement featuring perfect symmetry – thanks to the judicious positioning of the micro-rotor along the same axis as the barrel drum ensuring a 50-hour power reserve – is first and foremost designed to draw the eye. The architecture does indeed capture the gaze, especially since it is reinforced by contemporary finishing including sandblasting, NAC treatment of the mainplate, and a PVD coating on the delicately curved bridges. This ensemble with its sophisticated graphic design is endowed with an infinitely hypnotic charm thanks to the presence at 6 o’clock of a large 10.15mm variable-inertia balance wheel oscillating at a frequency of 3 hertz (21,600 vibrations per hour). The generous size of the balance makes it less subject to disturbances and therefore more accurate.

The Neo-Bridges watch was designed by the style department as a contemporary transcription of the aesthetic codes dear to Girard-Perregaux. To magnify these design principles, the engineers and watchmakers have endowed the finely crafted titanium case measuring 45mm in diameter and 12.17mm thick with alternately polished and satin-brushed finishing. This coherent ensemble is fitted with a “box” sapphire crystal and a minimalist dial, as well as a transparent sapphire crystal caseback – thereby providing ample space in which to read the time, as well as to discover this fascinating 208-part mechanism. The latter epitomizes the art of harnessing and propelling towards the future the full stylistic power of the historical timepieces that have been forging the renown of the Manufacture Girard-Perregaux for more than 225 years.

Neo-Bridges

Technical Specifications

Case

• Material: titanium
  
• Diameter: 45mm
  
• Height: 12.18mm
  
• Glass: sapphire anti-reflective
  
• Caseback: sapphire crystal
  
• Dial: no dial, ring with suspended indexes
  
• Hands: skeleton with luminescent material
  
• Water resistance: 30 meters (3 ATM)
  

Movement

• Reference: GP08400-0001, mechanical with automatic winding
  
• Diameter: 32mm (14¼’’’)
  
• Height: 5.45mm
  
• Frequency: 21,600 Vib/h – (3 Hz)
  
• Number of components: 208
  
• Jewels: 29
  
• Power reserve: minimum 48 hours
  
• Functions: hours, minutes
  

Strap

• Material: dark-grey alligator with stitching
  
• Buckle: titanium triple folding buckle