KIH's comprehensive photo essay from a 2012 Girard-Perregaux special event in Tokyo offers a fascinating glimpse into the brand's diverse offerings, particularly highlighting their intricate complications and artistic dials. This post serves as a valuable historical record, showcasing models that captivated collectors a decade ago and providing context for GP's evolving design philosophy.
Beautiful Triple Bridge Tourbillon for
Ladies... This is really nice.
Buckle
has stones, too.
Well,
not for my wrist, but couldn't resist....
Very
well done enamel dial simple three-hands watch in
WG.
Hard to resist for any "enamelist" Very well done.
Curvy.
Replica of the Triple Bridge Tourbillon pocket
watch which took the Gold Medal at the Paris Expo in
1889.
Opera
III (more later)
Opera I and II
4. Opera series
handling!
Opera I - Tourbillon, Minutes
Repeater
40mm,
13mm thickness, Power Reserve 75 hours.
Opera
II - Tourbillon, Minutes Repeater, Perpetual
Calendar
42mm,
14.54mm thickness, Power Reserve 75 hours
Opera
III - Music Box watch
The
switch on 10 has three positions: Center - ready to chime every hour,
Slide-up - chime, Down - doesn't chime at all. The switch on 8
has two positions: Up - Tchaikovsky, Down - Mozart
As
many of you may know, Opera III has music box inside. If and
when you place an order, you can choose the two musics or
songs. Doesn't have to be either Tchaikovsky or
Mozart. Could be Lady Gaga and Rolling Stones, if you wish.
43mm,
14.05mm thickness, Power reserve 50 hours
On 11,
shows whether the music is Tchaikovsky or Mozart. On 2, the
power reserve for the chiming mechanism.
Now
the videos:
... and equally unique is the function of the crown
(patented): no pull - winding for the chiming mechanism, one pull -
winding for the watch, two pulls - adjusting time. See how the
crown unwinds as the music is played.
Opera
brothers.
Seeing
these masterpieces at once was a wonderful experience. I wish
I could have heard Opera I and II, but unfortunately they were not
ready.... But Opera III is truly a masterpiece. I am
sure Mr. Loiseau has something more wonderful than this
series....
Hope you enjoy the report.
Thank
you!
Ken
PS:As always, thank you, THG and GP!
This message has been edited by KIH on 2012-07-07 18:47:07 This message has been edited by dxboon on 2012-07-09 12:21:22 This message has been edited by dxboon on 2012-07-12 07:46:11
Key Points from the Discussion
The Girard-Perregaux Opera series, especially the Opera 3, and the Tourbillons with Three Gold Bridges, are highly regarded as grail watches by collectors for their complexity and aesthetic appeal.
Girard-Perregaux's enamel dials, particularly the WW.TC models like the John Harrison and the Japan edition with cherry blossoms, are noted for their beauty and desirability.
The brand offers a wide variety of watches, from simpler, non-decorated models with pure enamel dials to highly complicated pieces, demonstrating the breadth and depth of their collection.
The opportunity to see such a wide array of Girard-Perregaux watches, including the Opera 3, in person at a special event is considered an amazing experience for enthusiasts.
Some collectors express a strong preference for the brand's enamel watches and the Opera series, indicating these lines resonate deeply within the community.
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The Discussion
AM
amanico
Jul 7, 2012
A feast for the eyes.
We're on Sunday morning, the house is still sleeping, and I am enjoying my morning tea in a royal way with your post, Ken. You posted many of my dream watches, here: The Opera 3 is one of my absolute grail ( if a Grail ever needed to be absolute... :) ), the other Operas are not bad, either. The Tourbillons with 3 GB are other haunting creatures from GP. And you know my love for: 1/ Enamel dials. 2/ WW TC. And getting an enamel dial in a WW TC like the J. Harisson is the top, just after the WW T
KI
KIH
Jul 10, 2012
I hear you...
... with this event, my respect for GP as a brand has been renewed! Ken
FO
foversta
Jul 8, 2012
Thanks a lot Ken for this fireworks of pictures.
My fav remains the Opera 1... Fx
KI
KIH
Jul 10, 2012
Gosh, I wish it had been functional...
... and could record the sound for you! Ken
GP
GPRL
Jul 8, 2012
Thanks for the great pixs
Wow, I don't know where to start! Thanks Ken. Opera 1 and John Harrision WWTC are absolutely beatuiful. They have lightened up a wet day here. Cheers.
KI
KIH
Jul 10, 2012
GP is really a good brand..
... with history and its ability. Super underappreciated brand, I think. I am looking forward to the next year! Ken
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This thread is active on the Girard Perregaux forum with 18 replies. Share your knowledge with fellow collectors.
Very well done.
