Hyperwatch Highlight: Girard-Perregaux's La Esmeralda Tourbillon
Seeking unparalleled aesthetics? This $500K custom-made masterpiece awaits your order.
When it comes to high-end horology, Girard-Perregaux is a name synonymous with artistic brilliance and technical innovation. Their latest marvel, the La Esmeralda Tourbillon “A Secret” Eternity Edition, pays homage to the iconic 1889 pocket watch while reimagining it for the wrist in spectacular style. This timepiece is not just a watch; it’s a wearable piece of history and craftsmanship, dripping with elegance and exclusivity. Let’s dive into what makes this creation so jaw-dropping.
The Bridges That Span Generations
The Bridges collection is a cornerstone of Girard-Perregaux’s legacy, celebrating Constant Girard’s revolutionary idea of transforming the bridge from a mere functional component into a visual statement. With La Esmeralda Tourbillon “A Secret” Eternity Edition, the brand honors this heritage, adapting the timeless design for contemporary tastes. Each of the seven available colorways, housed in an exquisite 18K pink gold case, is produced on request, with only 18 pieces per color—a true collector’s dream.
An Exterior That Dazzles
This watch is nothing short of mesmerizing. The 43mm pink gold case is not just a container but a canvas, adorned with intricate hand-engraving and grand feu enamel. And here’s the kicker: the case-back doubles as a secret cover, revealing a sapphire crystal window that adds a touch of mystery. Whether it's the hand-guilloché dial with its fiery red enamel sunray motif or the engraved pink gold buckle, every element is an ode to luxury.
But don’t let its beauty fool you—it’s built for durability, too. With water resistance up to 30 meters, it’s ready to brave more than just the admiring stares of onlookers.
Inside the Heart of the Beast: The Calibre GP09600
Now, let’s talk about the engine under the hood. The Calibre GP09600 is a masterpiece of engineering, blending tradition with cutting-edge precision. The three gold bridges, a signature design feature, are meticulously finished with techniques that demand exceptional skill and patience. And the pièce de résistance? Two hand-engraved galloping horses take center stage, paying tribute to the original pocket watch’s back case.
Here’s a mind-blowing fact: each bridge takes 40 hours to finish, with an additional 50 hours for the engraving. That’s 90 hours of craftsmanship for each bridge alone!
The movement is a self-winding mechanical marvel featuring a white gold micro-rotor, ensuring reliable performance and elegance in equal measure. With 323 parts, 31 jewels, and a power reserve of 50 hours, this calibre is as robust as it is beautiful.
Technical Summary
Case and Dial:
Material: 18K pink gold, engraved and enamelled
Diameter: 43 mm
Thickness: 15.1 mm
Case-back: Red enamelled secret cover with sapphire crystal
Dial: Hand-guilloché, red enamel with sunray motif
Water Resistance: 30 m
Strap and Buckle:
Material: Alligator leather
Buckle: Engraved pink gold triple folding buckle
Movement: Calibre GP09600
Mechanism: Self-winding mechanical
Winding Direction: Clockwise
Diameter: 32.00 mm
Height: 7.68 mm
Frequency: 21,600 Vib/h (3Hz)
Number of Parts: 323
Number of Jewels: 31
Oscillating Weight: White gold micro-rotor
Power Reserve: Minimum 50 hours
Functions: Hours and minutes, small seconds on the tourbillon, tourbillon