Girard-Perregaux Complications: Tourbillon & Minute Repeater

MTR · 2022-04-09T16:22:22Z

Explore Girard-Perregaux's high complications, including the Tourbillon with Three Flying Bridges and Planetarium Tri-Axial, through a collector's manufacture visit.

MTR

WPS member · Girard Perregaux forum

25 replies5858 views36 photos

MTR's exclusive invitation to the Girard-Perregaux manufacture offers a rare glimpse into the brand's vertical integration and horological prowess. His firsthand account underscores the critical importance of experiencing high complications on the wrist, a sentiment often echoed by seasoned collectors. This report provides invaluable insights for those considering Girard-Perregaux's most intricate timepieces, particularly the iconic Tourbillon with Three Flying Bridges.

Dear watch friends,

last Thursday and Friday I had the pleasure and honor of being invited by Bucherer Genève and Girard-Perregaux, together with my most important ☺️🙏 and also amicable "favorite seller" at my AD (Bucherer Vienna) and a very nice couple who is as crazy about watches as I am.

It were two wonderful, enlightening days in which we were received with great hospitality and warmth.
And it was clear to see what a sleeping giant GP actually is.
The passion, vertical integration, know-how and attention to detail are impressive.

I also finally had the opportunity to admire the tourbillons with three flying bridges, which I value so highly, up close, along with many other watch treasures. It has once again come true for me how important it is to be able to wear a watch “live” on your wrist and compare it with others. Where can you do that better than in the manufactory itself?
For me, a very important step in my decision-making process to find the right GP Tourbillon for me.

Because, as it has proven to be true for me again and again: you have to see a watch in the flesh. Watches that you really liked in marketing images often do not arouse the expected emotion in reality, i.e. on the wrist.

And completely different watches take your breath away and literally knock you over. Sometimes even when you definitely didn't expect it.

In the two days we learned a lot about the history of watchmaking in general, we were allowed to look over the shoulders of the watchmakers from GP and also try our hand at polishing a golden bridge.
A manual, tedious and time-consuming work, after which one appreciates the optically perfect result of a professionally polished bridge even more.

Two wonderful days in watch heaven, which I will not soon forget and during which new friendships were made.

And now we better let some pictures do the talking. They were all taken with my mobile phone so please forgive the quality. 🙏

So here are some highlights of what we were able to see:

PLANETARIUM TRI-AXIAL EARTH TO SKY EDITION

In this watch, Girard-Perregaux combines a three-axis tourbillon with a globe that makes one complete revolution in 24 hours and additionally this gem shows an astronomical moon phase. A marvel…

LA ESMERALDA TOURBILLON in white and red gold

TOURBILLON WITH THREE FLYING BRIDGES
in titanium and red gold

LAUREATO SKELETON 42 MM

LAUREATO CHRONOGRAPH 42 MM

There were still a few wonderful surprises for me to see at Bucherer Genéve.
But I will save to them for another thread. ☺️

All the best
Thomas

About the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Ref. 81015

The Girard-Perregaux Laureato, reference 81015, represents a contemporary iteration of the brand's integrated bracelet sports watch. Positioned as a versatile luxury timepiece, it bridges the gap between casual wear and formal occasions, embodying a distinct design language within the competitive segment.

This reference typically features a 42mm case, often crafted from stainless steel, with a distinctive octagonal bezel set upon a circular base. It houses an in-house automatic movement, such as the Caliber GP01800, providing a power reserve of approximately 54 hours. The dial often presents a 'Clous de Paris' hobnail pattern, complemented by baton hour markers and hands.

The Laureato 81015 is relevant to collectors seeking a modern interpretation of a classic design. Its integrated bracelet construction and robust movement offer a compelling alternative in the luxury sports watch category, appealing to those who appreciate Girard-Perregaux's heritage and technical capabilities.

Specifications

Caliber: GP01800

Case: Stainless Steel

Diameter: 42mm

Dial: Blue, Grey, Black

Water Resist.: 100m

Crystal: Sapphire

Key Points from the Discussion

The Tourbillon with Three Flying Bridges is considered a true work of art, with the titanium version being particularly praised for its wearability compared to other iterations like the Aston Martin edition.
Girard-Perregaux, particularly its high-complication pieces like the La Esmeralda, is often seen as an undervalued brand by novices but is highly regarded by informed collectors, drawing comparisons to independent watchmakers like Greubel Forsey and Philippe Dufour.
The experience of trying on a watch 'in the metal' is crucial, as marketing images often fail to convey the true emotion or wearability of a piece, sometimes leading to unexpected preferences.
The Tourbillon with Three Flying Bridges, especially the white metal (titanium) and red gold versions, are highlighted for their 'fresher' and 'easier to wear' aesthetic for daily use.
Despite its height, the Tourbillon with Three Flying Bridges is deemed wearable, indicating that its aesthetic appeal can outweigh practical considerations for collectors.
The Planetarium Tri-Axial Earth to Sky Edition, with its three-axis tourbillon, rotating globe, and astronomical moon phase, is identified as a potential 'exit watch' for its complexity and beauty.

The Discussion

COUNT DE MONET

Apr 9, 2022

What a superb day out to GP! Extraordinarily beautiful and complex watches that you had the chance to handle. That triaxis tourbi woukd be a true exit watch!

AuHavrePro

Apr 9, 2022

Both the white gold, and rose gold versions. They're my favorte GPs . Thanks for the pictures, Filip

MTR

Apr 9, 2022

My problem is that I detected at least FOUR exit watches in parallel during the last two days… 🙄

MTR

Apr 9, 2022

almost out of this world. Thanks for looking, dear Chronometer! 🙏☺️

MTR

Apr 9, 2022

it was - of course - not possible to buy a watch directly from the manufacturer, mon ami. 🙏🙏 Unfortunately, two (!) watch models completely blew me away during these two days and now I'm even waiting for another variant to be viewed at my AD in Vienna. Good things come to those who wait! 😌

MTR

Apr 9, 2022

They are truly works of art. The white metal flying bridges watch I had the luck to see was in Titanium. And I had to luck to see their mother, too. ☺️ Cheers Thomas

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Girard-Perregaux Complications: Tourbillon & Minute Repeater

About the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Ref. 81015

Specifications

Key Points from the Discussion

Continue the conversation

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