Girard Perregaux Marks A New Era In White Gold With The La Esmeralda Tourbillon "A Secret" Eternity Edition

 

The watch and jewellery community is all geared up for the Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition 2023. And now, for the first time ever, the Girard-Perregaux La Esmeralda Tourbillon "A Secret" Eternity Edition is available in white gold. The blue-clad version of the latest iteration of the iconic watch will be on display at the 2023 Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition.

In 1889, at the Exposition Universelle in Paris, Constant Girard displayed a remarkable pocket watch that would later become known as La Esmeralda. The talented watchmaker dedicated much of his life to improving chronometric performance, and his efforts were rewarded with many accolades and awards. However, Constant was not only a master craftsman; he also had a keen eye for aesthetics.

A tourbillon chronometer with three nickel silver bridges was actually introduced by Constant in 1867. By creating this piece, he rethought the function of the bridge, a vital part of the movement, elevating it to the realm of design. Constant's three beloved bridges evolved over time, with each new iteration featuring an improved aesthetic. With the introduction of La Esmeralda in 1889, the three bridges were transformed into golden structures with enhanced stylistics and noble facets. When La Esmeralda was finally unveiled in its elaborately engraved case at the Exposition Universelle, it was duly honoured with a gold medal in recognition of its unparalleled precision and aesthetic appeal.

To put things in perspective, the Exposition Universelle of 1889 took place during a period of widespread optimism, when ambition and appreciation for beauty went hand in hand. The Eiffel Tower was ready for the Exposition Universelle because of its rapid construction schedule. The Tower was only supposed to be a temporary structure, but it has become an iconic symbol of innovative engineering and artistic expression. In fact, what sets this era apart as one of remarkable creativity, particularly in terms of design, is the pervasive blending of utility and aesthetics.

The Bridges Collection

Several Girard-Perregaux timepieces continue to embody Constant Girard's enduring design philosophy, which the Bridges collection celebrates today.

Also read : Patrick Pruniaux, CEO Girard-Perregaux on 230 Years of the Manufacture And What Lies Ahead

La Esmeralda Tourbillon "A Secret" Eternity Edition, a modern reinterpretation of the 1889 timepiece, retains the original's aesthetic while being worn on the wrist to cater to contemporary tastes. The housing of the La Esmeralda Tourbillon "A Secret" Eternity Edition is made even more special by the addition of hand-engraving and grand feu enamel. On request, customers can select from blue, green, or grey colorways; however, only 18 pieces of each colour will be produced.

The self-winding GP09600-2083 movement powers the tourbillon in the La Esmeralda Tourbillon "A Secret" Eternity Edition. In keeping with the principles of Haute Horlogerie, the movement is equipped with a wide variety of exquisite finishings, many of which are applied by deft use of hand, and all of which pay homage to the legacy of Constant Girard, a man who appreciated the value of mechanical virtue and skillful design.

Suggested Retail Price: CHF 427,600/ USD 482,000/ EUR 508000