GP&MP
186
A perfect day at the GP manufactury
A few weeks ago, we were invited by GP and Juwelier Leicht, a very well-known German jeweler who owns jewelry stores in Berlin, Dresden, Bergisch-Gladbach, Pforzheim and Rottach-Egern, to a visitation of the GP and Daniel JeanRichard manufactury in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
Accompanied by Mr. Georg H. Leicht, Mrs. Mathina Prewo (Juwelier Leicht store manager in Pforzheim) and a couple of watch enthusiasts from Germany, we were welcomed by Mr. Nicolas de Quatrebarbes (CEO of the GP subsidiary Tradema GmbH in Munich, Germany) and Mr. Franz (Tradema GmbH, Germany).
Nicolas de Quatrebarbes gave us a short introduction into the history of GP and JeanRichard,
their owners and their products.
A few minutes later, we started our visitation …
… moving from the GP Headquarters to the GP manufactury …
… where we were outfitted like master watchmakers (or surgeons?) J
Mr. Willy Schweizer, the museum’s curator and the Sowind group’s historian, led us through the manufactury.
The manufactury is placed in a wonderful Art Nouveau building. The architecture of its stairways, halls and windows is really admirable.
We almost couldn’t believe that behind the doors we could find modern machines …
Manufacture of movement components: For example a CNC milling machine …
… and its products.
Quality control.
Case and bracelet manufacturing department.
Case finishing and burnishing.
Movement finishing (“perlage”).
The final inspection department - and the objects of our desire ;-)
Subassembly of movements.
Movement finishing and assembling.
Whow!!! These things were really heart-pounding!!!
Time to move and to relax …
… inside the Villa Marguerite.
Just a stone’s throw away from the GP Headquarters,
the Villa Marguerite houses the GP museum and a wonderful collection of
historic exhibits.Although the interior has been redesigned to suit the needs
of the museum, its original architecture has been preserved.
Evidence of a splendid history.
Time to move again:
Mr. Schweizer led us to the Villa JeanRichard, where he presented an
impressive collection of antique watchmaking tools and machines.
After lunch, Nicolas de Quatrebarbes presented the current GP collection.
Vintage 1945 Chronograph
Vintage 1945 Triple Calendar
Vintage 1945 King Size Large Date
Watch consumer guidance J
Georg H. Leicht (center of the pic) demonstrating the advantages of purchasing
a GP men’s watch in a bundle with a GP ladies’ watch ;-)
Nicolas de Quatrebarbes (center of the pic) and Mathina Prewo (right hand).
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Cat’s Eye Power Reserve
Richeville Large Date
Richeville Power Reserve
Vintage 1945 Tourbillon with three gold bridges
Laureato USA 98
The pink gold version
DLC-Titanium case with rubber pushers and bezel
Laureato Regatta Tourbillon chronograph with Countdown mechanism
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Sea Hawk “To John Harrison”
Our favorite: The GP 1966 Full Calendar. It’s a beauty and a “MUST HAVE”!!!
Towards the end of the presentation, Mr. Stefano Macaluso welcomed us …
Georg H. Leicht thanked him on behalf of the guests for making this great day possible.
Finally, Mr. Marcel Dubois, a GP master watchmaker, showed us his new born baby:
“Opéra Three”, a really enchanting example of “haute horlogerie”.
It’s not only an alarm watch.
The watch has build in Tchaikovsky and Mozart tunes on a miniature interior music box made of a keyboard of 20 keys and one drum set with 150 hand assembled pins.
It’s a pleasure to listen to the music.
Lots of thanks to all the people at Juwelier Leicht, GP and Tradema GmbH who helped to make it a perfect visit for us!!!
M&G Pfeifle
