Girard-Perregaux Free Bridge Meteorite
Girard-Perregaux expands its famous Bridges Collection by introducing the new Free Bridge Meteorite model. Incorporating two meteorite plates, this timepiece unites avant-garde design with cutting-edge materials.
The famous Bridges is legendary within the watch industry. Regarded as the oldest mechanical signature within the field of Haute Horlogerie, its origins date back to the 1860s. Over time, the bridges have evolved, encompassing different shapes, finishes and materials. Now, the Manufacture has, once again, reimagined the structural components famously located front of house and presented them in a new, highly inventive way.
In 1889, La Esmeralda, a chronometer featuring three gold bridges, a tourbillon and an elaborately engraved case, won a gold medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition.
Like the prize-winning pocket watch, the Free Bridge Meteoriteis endowed with an inverted movement with bridges located to the front, the balance wheel at 6 o’clock and the spring barrel positioned directly above. This imbues the display with a becoming symmetry, a characteristic it shares with the legendary Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges of the 19th century.
Fulsome, skeletonised, dauphine-style hour and minute hands sit atop a bridge that straddles various wheels belonging to the gear train and motion works. This tendency to reveal parts normally positioned out of sight endues the model with a unique appearance. The open-worked spring barrel located below 12 o’clock affords views of the mainspring in various states of tension.
The display sits beneath a sapphire crystal box that drinks in light, illuminating the various indications. At the base of the neoteric dial, the aptly-named Neo Bridge spans the mainplate, supporting the balance. Throughout the design, the Manufacture has masterfully played with different depths and textures.
The suspended indexes are positioned on a flange and project over the surfaces below, again serving to reinforce the model’s distinctive three-dimensional styling.
The 44 mm stainless steel case stands out with its alternate polished and satin-finished surfaces, while the crown is enriched with a blend of polished and sandblasted facets.
As its names implies, the Girard-Perregaux Free Bridge Meteorite watch incorporates fragments from the asteroid belt. Discovered in Namibia, the Gibeon meteorite is composed of an iron-nickel alloy, incorporating small amounts of cobalt and phosphorous.
The meteorite features naturally occurring flow lines termed the Widmanstätten pattern. This endows the fragments with their own identity, making each watch unique and rare. The intricate arrangement of lines, together with the textured surface of the meteorite, delivers an alluring tonal contrast.
The central bridge of the watch features a marquetry of two meteorite plates, each retained with two gleaming screws.
Everything begins with the slicing of the Gibeon meteorite. Thereafter, the slices are machined into the desired shape and pierced with two holes to accommodate the aforementioned screws. Subsequently, each plate is treated in order to accentuate the Widmanstätten pattern, a process that has to be carefully mastered to avoid eroding too much of the material.
Finally, the plates are rhodium-plated, providing a protective layer that prevents the iron-rich meteorite from corroding.
The Free Bridge Meteorite is equipped with a contemporary, self-winding movement, the Calibre GP01800-2085. An evolution of the existing Calibre GP01800, this latest iteration features up-to-the-minute know-how. The escape wheel, pallet lever and the arms of the elaborately shaped balance wheel are formed of silicium, a lightweight material that is not liable to corrosion.
Made within a laboratory setting, free of dust, silicium components can be formed into intricate shapes not possible using traditional milling or stamping techniques. This freedom to create intricate shapes means that the geometry of components can be optimised.
Silicium has a low coefficient of friction, mitigating wear and thereby augmenting durability. Moreover, siliciumis unaffected by changing temperatures and is less susceptible to magnetic fields when compared with traditional materials.
With the advent of the Free Bridge Meteorite, Girard-Perregaux has produced a variable inertia balance and escapement in the cutting-edge material. The resultant balance is less sensitive to adverse influences such as magnetism and shocks. Moreover, the enhanced shock resistance confers superior rate stability, thereby augmenting precision.
Unquestionably modern, the Free Bridge Meteorite incorporates several traditional materials synonymous with fine watchmaking. Movement components are embellished with classical Côtes de Genève, bevelling and snailing as well as sandblasted finishes. Consistent with all Girard-Perregaux Manufacture movements, the Calibre GP01800-2085 is also engraved with the Eagle emblem.
Model: Girard-Perregaux Free Bridge Meteorite, Reference 82000-11-3259-5CX
Case
Material: Steel
Diameter: 44.00 mm
Height: 12.20 mm
Glass: Anti-reflective sapphire crystal “box”
Case-back: Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Water resistance: 30 meters (3 ATM)
Dial
Ring displaying suspended indexes with luminescent material (white emission)
Hands: ‘Dauphine’ type, skeletonized, rhodium-plated with luminescent material (white emission)
Movement
Reference: GP01800-2085
Self-winding mechanical movement
Hour wheel bridge adorned with Meteorite plates
Diameter: 36.20 mm (16’’’)
Height: 5.94 mm
Frequency: 28,800 Vib/h – (4 Hz)
Number of components: 185
Number of jewels: 23
Power reserve: min. 54 hours
Functions
Hours, minutes
Strap
Material: Black calf leather with a fabric effect
Buckle: Triple folding, steel
Suggested retail price
CHF 24’600
