Girard-Perregaux Minute Repeater Tourbillon 99820

blomman Mr Blue · 2015-05-19T00:15:30Z

Explore the Girard-Perregaux Minute Repeater Tourbillon with Gold Bridges (Ref. 99820-52-000-BA6A). In-depth review, live shots, and community insights.

blomman Mr Blue

WPS member · Girard Perregaux forum

18 replies3349 views9 photos

Blomman Mr Blue offers an in-depth review of the Girard-Perregaux Minute Repeater Tourbillon with Gold Bridges, reference 99820-52-000-BA6A, a standout piece from BaselWorld 2015. This article delves into the intricate details of its design and movement, highlighting why this specific configuration of complications and the iconic Golden Bridges is considered a pinnacle of haute horlogerie. Blomman Mr Blue's detailed analysis provides valuable insights into its unique features and exceptional craftsmanship.

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Friends,

I guess all of you have been waiting for this review: the Minute Repeater Tourbillon with Gold Bridges, reference 99820-52-000-BA6A.

Just to clarify a couple of points before we start.

1, Girard-Perregaux calls this watch Minute Repeater Tourbillon with Gold Bridges. Yes there are three golden bridges, but the Tourbillon with Three Golden Bridges have all three bridges on the front. This one does not have all three on the front.

2, There was a discussion about “a first”. The first refers to having both the components of striking mechanism, hammers and gongs on the dial side open for the eye to see and the Golden Bridges.

OK, now let’s start with the basics; Pink Gold case, 45 mm in diameter and 15.53 mm thick. The case is very similar in shape to the Tri-Axial Tourbillon and the Constant Escapement. Wide bezel, short strong, curved lugs.

The classic Gold Bridges are also in Pink Gold and so are the hands.

The movement, mechanical, manual wind with a power reserve of 58 hours. 32.00 mm in diameter and 9.35 mm thick.
What is very special with the caliber GP09500-0002 is the front!

Yes, the Golden Bridges on the front, kind of mandatory for the Golden Bridges movement we are used to see today. On the original the Three Golden Bridges movement, the bridges were on the back facing away from the dial side.

But as you already noticed there are only two Gold Bridges on the front. The top bridge has been removed to give room for the hammers and the striking mechanism.

When the lever on the left hand side is pushed, the two hammers will “play” the time on the two gongs. The left hammer strikes the hours with the first tone, then each quarter will be played with a double strike, right-left where the right has the second tone and finally the minutes will be played by the right hammer in the second tone.

The sound is literally music to the ears! Good volume, full and rich tone! Perfect distance between the strikes…

Not sure how many times I played the repeater, but each time I couldn’t hold back the smile on my face!
What a wonderful piece of Haute Horlogerie!

As you can see in this shot, the gongs go around the movement on the dial side to give the best sound when wearing the watch.

If we leave the front side and have a look at the back – here the third Golden Bridge is located.

Even if this side is not as exciting as the front, I find it very appealing with superb finish, nice design details and of course the DNA of the golden bridge!

Nicolas asked before if this was the final watch or prototype. This is the final watch. GP presented two pieces of the Minute repeater at BaselWorld, number 1 and 2 out of 10. One of them had gold plated hands that will of course be replaced by solid gold hands, but if it was #1 or #2, I could not tell…

Another very nice detail, the triple folding buckle with safety lock. Also in Pink Gold mounted on a black alligator strap.

And on the wrist…. What can I say it is a dream watch! It has already caused many sleepless nights for me since BaselWorld…

For me, this was the STAR of the show this year, all brands included!

I really hope you will have the opportunity to see this one in real!

If not as one of the ten lucky owners so at least just a few minutes to admire the craftsmanship and the beautiful sound!

Best

Blomman

This message has been edited by blomman on 2015-07-01 14:20:12

Key Points from the Discussion

The combination of a Tourbillon with Gold Bridges and a Minute Repeater is an exquisite and spectacular horological achievement, with the finishing of the hammers being particularly characteristic of GP.
The watch's design, featuring prominent bridges and a well-placed tourbillon, along with the added minute repeater complication, makes it an exceptional piece of haute horlogerie.
The video effectively demonstrates the excellent timing of the minute repeater, with well-balanced pauses between hours, quarters, and minutes, making the counting stress-free and enjoyable.
The author emphasizes that the pauses between strikes are as crucial as the strikes themselves in a minute repeater, allowing for a more enjoyable and comprehensible auditory experience, rather than a rapid, 'jack-hammer' like sound.
The open dial design, while showcasing the complications, is distinct from typical open- or skeletonized dials, maintaining the unique aesthetic of the Golden Bridges movement.

The Discussion

crown comfort

May 19, 2015

Fantastic Report

as always with superb photos and all information one need to know. The video is the highlight of course, not only the sound, but it also gives a good vision of how the watch looks in the flesh. As you said, an absolute dream and reason for sleepless nights. I was wondering about the cause of my insomnia recently. CC

blomman Mr Blue

May 19, 2015

Re: dream and reason for sleepless nights

Thank you, my friend! :) I am not sure what is worse, the dreams or the sleepless nights... ;) Best Blomman

Ares501 - Mr Green

May 19, 2015

You said it all my friend

It's a dream watch. Thank you for this excellent review and video Yours D

blomman Mr Blue

May 19, 2015

Yes, I know no other words...

To describe this watch! :) Best Blomman

amanico

May 19, 2015

In my opinion, this Girard Perregaux is in the top 3 of the 2015 collection.

And not only from GP, but from any brand. The care in the finish seems, from the pics, at a high level. The idea to associate the Tourbillon with gold bridges to a Minute Repeater is exquisite. The finishings of the hammers is very GP, too. Generous and spectacular. Now, I have to see the dimensions of the case, and to listen to this beast. I have zero trust in any video, whose sound quality is limited not to say massacred by the sound quality of your computer. Certainly one of the two or three

blomman Mr Blue

May 19, 2015

Yes, sound is better in real, IMO.

The combination of complications is really awesome! :) Not sure what I would add or remove here... Best Blomman