Girard Perregaux

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(press release) The 2007 models by Girard-Perregaux

Introduction

Girard-Perregaux started 2007 with the presentation of the ww.tc - Financial. This chronograph is a worldwide novelty. For the first time, a watch simultaneously indicates the different times around the world zones, as well as the opening periods of four major stock exchanges: New York, London, Hong Kong and Tokyo. With its elegant design and very up-to-date functions, it is also a strong symbol of Girard-Perregaux’s identity.

Its success was immediate. To commemorate its launch, we are proposing you three Wallpaper City Guides. These are excellent passports, with which to go and discover legendary cities, which beat to the same dynamic rhythm as their financial markets: New York, London and Tokyo. They are concise and practical, and help you get to know the best of each destination, even for short stop-overs, covering all aspects of the city –cultural, architectural and commercial– and providing a contemporary overview of these vital places.

You are holding our guide in your hands. In the image of these urban compasses, our press folder presents you with the keys to the Girard-Perregaux universe. Like an instruction manual, it not only explains our most recent creations, but provides a synthesis of the different facets that go to make up our DNA, in fact, our very being.

We wish you a fantastic journey.

THE 2007 NOVELTIES AT A GLANCE

Haute Horlogerie
The Vintage 1945 Jackpot Tourbillon:
a mechanism of incredible complexity, born of the union between a game of chance and watchmaking precision.

For BMW ORACLE Racing
High performance materials, sharpened design, thoroughly sporty complications: this assorted
collection of chronographs is ready to take up the challenge of the 32nd America’s Cup.

ww.tc
A financial version for businessmen who appreciate beauty and a version
for ladies that will turn your senses inside out, the hours of the world are raring to go.

Girard-Perregaux 1966 Full Calendar
The marriage of a very practical watchmaking complication with supreme elegance.

Vintage 1945
Its rectangular lines are famous. Here they are redesigned in a perfect square, and equipped
with a new movement.

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION

At Girard-Perregaux, we do not allow ourselves to be prisoners of the crazy race for novelties and the latest trends. Our advertising campaign “Wait.” says it all: our creations are the fruit of a process that requires time and patience, which in our opinion only reinforces their authenticity and their value.

This is a vision based on a modern attitude: if we look for inspiration in the depths of a know-how founded upon two centuries of watchmaking tradition, we are by definition investing permanently in research and devoting particular attention to the study of design.

This approach produces its results in the form of innovative timekeepers, sophisticated movements and renewed success: the Cat’s Eye Bi-retro’s accolade as lady’s watch of the year in 2006, or the excellent reception accorded to the ww.tc - Financial last February, illustrate this point. The 2007 novelties confirm this creative spirit.

The development of our Manufacture is one of the corner stones of this success. Our independence in matters of watch conception and manufacture enable us to master all the details. It is a guarantee of quality, which is fundamental to our quest for excellence.

As an expression of all the passion energizing Girard-Perregaux, we are also participating in famous international events. From the 32nd America’s Cup to the Menuhin Festival in Gstaad, we are present where emotions hold sway, with respect for history, an eye to the future, competence and the will to progress.

Vintage 1945 Jackpot Tourbillon

More than original, the Vintage 1945 Jackpot Tourbillon shakes up accepted traditions. Who thought that the precision of the greatest watchmaking complications could never harmonize with the uncertainty of games of chance? Girard-Perregaux merges these two worlds in one exclusive Haute Horlogerie model of unexpected complexity.
For the first time, a watch combines a Tourbillon and a slot machine equipped with a striking mechanism in perfect proportion with the Vintage 1945 case.

On the dial, a window at 12 o’clock reveals a row of three symbols, while a cut-out at 6 o’clock lets one admire the gold Bridge and the Tourbillon cage. The magic of the game is set in motion by pulling the handle on the right side of the case. The three reels spin and then stop randomly on one of the possible five symbols, while a hammer strikes a gong, producing the happy chime reminiscent of the gaming machines in a casino. Out of the 125 combinations, only one represents the jackpot: the three bells in a row.

The technology that breathes life into this unique wonder has nothing to do with chance. To attain this prowess, the challenges were numerous: associating the art of watchmaking with a gaming machine and succeeding in miniaturizing and integrating all the functions.

Far from simply adding a game extension to an existing movement, Girard-Perregaux decided to embark upon a completely new design.
Months of development were needed to conceive the new and entirely integrated calibre, GPFAY08 Jackpot Tourbillon.
The whole gaming machine is operated by a rack, which starts and stops the reels, and activates the chimes.
For this exceptional watch, destined to be worn on the wrists of a privileged few, the concentration on detail involved an intricate choice of the symbols.
These are reproductions of those found in the first mechanical slot machine, the famous “Liberty Bell”, invented at the end of the 19th century and so named with reference to the independence of the United States of America.
On the gold reels, hollowed out and then delicately lacquered, the suits of spades, hearts, diamonds, horseshoes and the famous bells, appear at random.
Fitted with a crystal back revealing the movement, the Vintage 1945 Jackpot Tourbillon illustrates Girard Perregaux’s complete mastery in matters of rare and precious timekeepers.
In this example, the Manufacture combines its art with the pleasure of an exclusive object of amusement. Dare we wager that lovers of games of chance will not be the only people to fall under its spell?

Pink gold case
Dimensions: 43.00 x 43.95 mm
Height: 17.30 mm
Antireflective sapphire crystal
See-through case back, fastened with 4 screws
Water-resistant to 30 metres

Movement
GIRARD-PERREGAUX GPFAY0
Jackpot Tourbillon under gold Bridge
Mechanical with manual winding
Calibre: 38.60 x 32.60 mm
Frequency: 21,600 vibrations/hour (3 Hz)
Power reserve: minimum 96 hours (4 days)
Functions: hour, minute, small seconds on the Tourbillon,
slot machine and striking mechanism
Alligator strap with folding buckle

Slot machine mechanism
The handle on the side of the case is connected to a rack.
By pulling the handle, the rack slides up. When the rack
reaches its highest point, and only then (a so called “all
or nothing mechanism”), it starts the reels spinning and slowly
slides back down. When it has returned approximately two thirds
of the way, it activates stoppers, which stop the reels one by
one and synchronically activates the striking mechanism.

Girard-Perregaux 1966 Full Calendar

The Girard-Perregaux 1966 Full Calendar harmonizes the functions and style of a grand watchmaking classic in an interpretation, which is both elegant and modern.
Its round case houses an extremely useful complication: a full calendar, enabling the display of the date, the day of the week, the month and the phases of the moon.
Time elapses smoothly on the perfectly proportioned dial. In support of the fine golden hands, two windows placed side by side at 12 o’clock display the day of the week and the month, while the moon follows its path at 6 o’clock, assuming its role surrounded by the date display.
Pleasing symmetry, optimum legibility: the Girard-Perregaux 1966 Full Calendar model satisfies the highest demands in terms of design refinement and distinguished style.
The sapphire crystal case back reveals the automatic-winding, mechanical movement GP033M0, designed by the Manufacture.
This creation enhances the Girard-Perregaux 1966 Collection, which pays homage to the many innovations produced by the Manufacture in the sixties.
The Manufacture already had its own research and development team at that time, an extremely rare phenomenon in the world of watchmaking. Its dynamism gave rise notably to two revolutionary inventions.
In 1957, the Gyromatic movement finally enabled the manufacture of small automatic watches with a high level of reliability.
In 1965, at a time when the highest frequencies did not exceed 21,600 vibrations per hour, Girard-Perregaux presented a mechanical movement oscillating at a frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour.
In 1966, Girard-Perregaux received the Centenary Prize of the Observatory of Neuchâtel for this extremely high-precision mechanism.

Technical specifications

Pink gold case
Diameter: 40.00 mm
Height: 10.70 mm
Antireflective sapphire crystal
See-through case back
Water-resistant to 30 metres

Movement
GIRARD-PERREGAUX GP033M0
Mechanical with automatic winding
Calibre: 111/2’’’
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations/hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: minimum 46 hours
Jewels: 27
Functions: hour, minute, seconds, full calendar with indications
of the date, the day of the week, the month and the moon phases

Alligator strap with pin buckle