A Tourbillon Bi-Axial with high-tech materials: an iconic design inspired by a Tourbillon pocket watch from the 1860s, a style that has nevertheless maintained its modern appeal.
The new tantalum Girard-Perregaux Tourbillon Bi-Axial with three sapphire bridges imposes a vision of time where precision, both technical and esthetic, is the watchword. A new limited edition of 12 pieces has been released.
This time, the Tourbillon Bi-Axial has chosen tantalum because of its durable, malleable and corrosion-resistant gray-blue metal, which is usually used in the chemical, electronic and aerospace industries. In addition to its many technological assets, it also lends a masculine and contemporary style to the watch.
The pure design and strong character of the timepiece are conveyed by the style of the three bridges cut in sapphire. Both imaginative and imposing, they have a metallic black finish that accentuates their volume for a striking visual effect. Gold, steel, glucydur and grade-five titanium contribute in their own way to optimize the tourbillon bi-axial mechanism and highlight its components.
It offers surprising delicacy: the two cages, featuring more than 110 parts, only weigh 0.8 grams. The platinum is decorated by a traditional circular guilloche motif, counterbalanced by its galvanic gray finishing, while the barrel bears the characteristic elliptic pattern of the famous nickel and silver three parallel bridge pocket watch made by Constant Girard in the 1860s.
Visible from both sides of the case, the bi-axial rotation of the tourbillon is hypnotic. Oscillating with the strict precision, the system is fitted with two concentric cages enabling the regulating part to make multi-dimensional rotations, thus compensating for power variations caused by gravity.
The internal cage bearing the balance, balance spring and escapement completes one turn on its axis in forty-five seconds. The external cage completes one revolution in one minute and fifteen seconds on a second axis. These different positions guarantee excellent precision.
Technical details
Model: Girard-Perregaux Tourbillon Bi-Axial Tantalum and sapphire bridges
Reference 99810-81-000-BA6A
Edition
12-piece limited edition
Case
Case in tantalum and sapphire bridges
Diameter: 45.00 mm
Crystal: glare-proof sapphire
Case-back: sapphire crystal, secured by 6 screws
Water resistance: 30 meters.
Movement
Girard-Perregaux GPE07-0002 movement
Manually-wound mechanical watches
Caliber: 15 ’’’
Frequency: 21.600 A/h (3Hz)
Power reserve: min. 70 hours
Stones: 28 rubies
Functions: Tourbillon Bi-Axial, hour, minute
Strap
Black alligator strap
Folding buckle in microbead blasted steel