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Girard-Perregaux inaugurates its exhibition François Perregaux in Yokohama, Japan
The Swiss high-end watch Manufacture Girard-Perregaux, has inaugurated the special exhibition François Perregaux, pioneer of Swiss watchmaking in Japan. The opening ceremony was hosted by Mr Antonio Calce, Chief Executive Officer of Sowind, with the presence of VIP guests. From December 19th to December 24th in Yokohama Creative City Center, This exhibition is a tribute to the protagonist of the first steps of Swiss watchmaking in the Land of the Rising Sun. On the eve of its 225th anniversary, the Manufacture highlights its heritage and its secular tradition through the dedicated exhibition, the first fruits of the future Girard-Perregaux museum which will open its doors current 2016 in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
The Swiss Manufacture Girard-Perregaux inaugurates in Yokohama, its exhibition tribute to the pioneer of Swiss watchmaking in Japan.
« In his life, François Perregaux never turned away from new challenges and continually sought to build the future while preserving tradition. We continue to deliver his compelling message ” : stated Antonio Calce, Girard-Perregaux's CEO, during the ceremony.
In the footsteps of a remarkable man
In collaboration with the International Watchmaking Museum, La Chaux-de-Fonds, and the Neuchâtel Museum of Ethnography, the Manufacture Girard-Perregaux unveils through the exhibition, historical artifacts of the nineteenth century part of the remarkable story of François Perregaux, first Swiss watchmaker established in Japan: A marine chronometer produced by the Perregaux family pocket watches made specially by Girard-Perregaux for Japan, Japanese clocks and various Japanese handcrafted items from the family. Including a copy of Japan Illustrated first referenced book on the Land of the Rising Sun as published in the West (1870), to which François Perregaux was involved. Valuable testimonials of the deep ties between Girard-Perregaux and Japan for over a century and a half, many of the items showcased for the first time in Yokohama, adoption town of François Perregaux, for which he felt a real fascination.
Girard-Perregaux historical timepieces showcased at the Exhibition
A selection of historical timepieces from the collections of Girard-Perregaux Museum also allow visitors to discover the history of the Manufacture, from its foundation in 1791 until today.
Before the signature of the Treaty between Switzerland and Japan
In February 1864, Swiss emissaries and representatives of the Imperial Japanese Government signed a Friendship and Trade Treaty. This bilateral agreement would be the basis for the special relationship between Japan and Switzerland, and would permit the first Swiss watch exports to the Land of the Rising Sun. Though not exactly the first... At the time of the long-awaited signature, a watch merchant from Switzerland had already been in business for several years on the Japanese archipelago: François Perregaux
Francois-Perregaux the first Swiss watchmaker established in Japan
Le Locle 1834 - 1877 Yokohama) Born into a family of big watchmaking businessmen in Le Locle, François Perregaux set off in 1853 for New York, where he spent six years representing the family business H. Perregaux & Co. Back in his home town in 1859, he set off the same year for Asia as the agent of the Watchmaking Union to set up an export office. From 1860 he was based in Yokohama, becoming the first Swiss watchmaking businessman to set up in the Land of the Rising Sun, before the signature of the friendship and trade treaty between Switzerland and Japan (1864). In 1865, he founded the company F. Perregaux & Co in Yokohama, and would be the official agent of Girard-Perregaux until the year 1877, when he passed away.
■ Detailed outline of the exhibition
Date: December 19th ～ 24th, 2015
Open to the public
Site: Yokohama Creativecity Center
6-50-1, Honcho Naka-ku, Yokohama 231-8315
Access: Minato Mirai Line, Bashamichi Station, Exit 1b Connected directly to the Noge/Sakuragicho exit (Island Tower passage)
Five minutes’ walk from JR and subway Sakuragicho Station / seven minutes from Kannai Station
Opening hours: 11:00 ～ 19:00
Admission fee: Free
About Girard-Perregaux
Girard-Perregaux is a Swiss luxury watch manufacturer that traces its origins to 1791. The history of the Brand is marked by legendary watches that combine sharp design with innovative craftmanship such as the renowned Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges, presented by Constant Girard-Perregaux in 1889 at the Paris Universal exhibition, where it was awarded a gold medal.
With more than 80 registered patents, Girard-Perregaux is devoted to the creation of state-of-the-art Haute Horlogerie and is one of the few watchmakers to unite all the skills of design and manufacture under the same roof — including the forging of the “heart” of the watch, the movement. In 2013, Girard-Perregaux received numerous prizes for its groundbreaking Constant Escapement L.M. timepiece, including the most prestigious one: the Aiguille d’Or of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.
Girard-Perregaux is part of the Kering Group, a world leader in apparel and accessories, which develops an ensemble of powerful Luxury and Sport & Lifestyle brands.
