Swiss luxury watch manufacture Girard-Perregaux presents Neo Constant Escapement, an advanced evolution of its award-winning Constant Escapement L.M. timepiece.
In 2013, Girard-Perregaux released the Constant Escapement L.M. to critical acclaim and won the ‘Aiguille D’Or’ at the GPHG (Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève) in the same year. The model included a constant force escapement, a mechanism that delivered remarkable rate stability irrespective of the available energy. The Neo Constant Escapement is the latest evolution of this innovation.
In 2008, Girard-Perregaux unveiled a concept watch that incorporated a unique silicium blade. This know-how was perfected over the years and a production version of the watch, the Constant Escapement L.M., was released in 2013.
It won the prestigious prize ‘Aiguille D’Or’ at the GPHG (Grand Prix d’Horologerie de Genève) in the same year.
The Neo Constant Escapement is an evolution of this former model, incorporating several new technologies. Indeed, 30% of the patents employed on this latest model, 13 in total, are new.
The new movement features fewer components than the 2013 model (266 compared with 280 parts previously).
A problem that afflicts most watches is that when fully wound the force from the spring barrel, ultimately serving the regulating organ, is excessive. This potentially impairs precision and can cause harm to the movement. Conversely, as the energy within the barrel diminishes, prior to the point of total exhaustion, the regulating organ receives insufficient force that again impairs precision.
The Constant Escapement addresses such problems, providing a uniform supply of force to the regulating organ and, by default, extraordinary rate stability. Moreover, the watch is a certified chronometer (COSC), providing independent assurance of its timekeeping prowess.
Special Features of Neo Constant Escapement:
- The escapement, the mechanism that controls the flow of time, is a unique design based on the elastic and bi-stable properties of a buckling silicium blade. This component delivers a linear supply of force to the balance irrespective of the available energy within the twin barrels.
- The silicium escapement spring, with an ultra-fine buckling blade at its centre, is made in a laboratory setting using a technique called ‘photolithography’. This elaborate process has allowed Girard-Perregaux to create intricately shaped components not achievable using traditional milling or stamping techniques. In this instance, Girard-Perregaux has exploited the high elasticity of silicium, the only material that allows the blade to repeatedly buckle and, in so doing, serve the balance with a constant force.
- The escapement spring is 120 microns thick, while the blade is a mere 14 microns wide. By comparison, a human hair is typically 50 – 90 microns in thickness.
- The ultra-fine silicium blade buckles back and forth, serving the regulating organ with a uniform pulse of energy. The silicium escape spring, with its buckling blade positioned centre stage, is formed of a single piece of silicium.
Girard-Perregaux Neo Constant Escapement Watch
The Girard-Perregaux Neo Constant Escapement is a certified chronometer (COSC). The movement, the Calibre GP09200, has a linear power supply of at least 7 days, courtesy of twin barrels.
The model is housed in a 45mm case formed of Grade 5 titanium. The dial sits beneath a sapphire crystal ‘box’, a feature that invites light to flood the display while granting lateral views of various dial elements.
Skeletonised dauphine-style hour and minute hands are rhodium-treated and they incorporate luminescent material to remain visible in restricted light.
A black track, positioned on the flange, is endowed with white markings and incorporates prominent, luminescent hour markers that arc outwards, seemingly floating above the main dial area.
The Neo Constant Escapement is fitted with a fabric effect rubber strap secured with a titanium triple folding buckle incorporating a micro adjustment system, allowing the wearer to fine-tune the strap for the optimum wrist fit.
Proposed in limited editions, the watch goes on sale in January 2024 and will be available worldwide in all authorised Girard-Perregaux retailers.
Technical details
Model: Girard-Perregaux Neo Constant Escapement, Reference 93510-21-1930-5CX
Case
Material: Titanium
Diameter: 45.00 mm
Height: 14.80 mm
Glass: sapphire anti-reflective ‘box’
Case-back: sapphire crystal
Dial: ring displaying suspended indexes with luminescent material (blue emission)
Hands: skeletonized, rhodium-plated, ’dauphine’ type with luminescent material (blue emission)
Water resistance: 30 meters (3 ATM)
Movement
Reference: GP09200-1153
Hand-wound mechanical movement
COSC-certified Chronometer
Diameter: 39.50 mm (171/2’’’)
Height: 7.40 mm
Frequency: 21,600 Vib/h – (3 Hz)
Number of components: 266
Number of jewels: 29
Power reserve: Min. 7 days
Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds, power reserve indicator
Strap
Material: Black rubber strap with fabric effect
Buckle: Titanium triple folding buckle with micro-adjustment system
Suggested Retail Prices
GBP 84’700 /CHF 95’000 / USD 99’600 / EUR 105’000
