Girard-Perregaux Tourbillon with Three Flying Bridges Bucherer Blue

In 1867, Girard-Perregaux unveiled the ‘Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges’ and an icon was born. Unusually, the bridges, three functional parts typically hidden from view, were made an aesthetic element. By taking this decision, the Manufacture became known for making the invisible visible. This approach has been employed on several subsequent Girard-Perregaux models. With the advent of the Tourbillon with Three Flying Bridges Bucherer BLUE, the Maison perpetuates this design philosophy but with a few fascinating twists along the way.

Going blue for Bucherer

Welcoming the Tourbillon with Three Flying Bridges Bucherer BLUE, a timepiece celebrating Girard-Perregaux’s virtuosity through a blue lens. The Tourbillon with Three Bridges is considered the world’s oldest watch movement still in production, epitomizing the ability of Girard-Perregaux to reinvent yesterday’s tradition for today’s connoisseur: With time, the bridges of this iconic design have evolved from an arrow-ended shape to a more contemporary “Neo” shape, used in the Flying Bridges.

The architecture of the movement has also evolved to give the impression of a levitating movement inside the case. The Tourbillon with Three Flying Bridges Bucherer BLUE truly is a masterwork of Haute Horlogerie. The titanium case is fitted between two sapphire crystal glass boxes reinforcing the visual effect of aerial delicacy. This timepiece with its unique marking in blue tones on the barrel and bridges is limited to 18 exclusive pieces.

The Calibre GP09400-1988

The three bridges not only support the geartrain, barrel and tourbillon, they also act as the mainplate. The result is that the bridges appear to float in mid-air, seemingly untouched by gravity. This unusual construction required the Maison to affix the indexes to the flange which in turn is attached to the case. The tourbillon is positioned to the base of the dial. Its cage is lyre-shaped, a historical design dating back to the 19th century, albeit in this instance it is made of ultra-modern Grade 5 titanium. 

A blued hand on the cage rotates 360° every minute and serves as a small seconds display. The tourbillon cage is comprised of 79 components and weighs a mere 0.25 grams. This remarkably low mass mitigates energy consumption, thereby contributing to the movement’s impressive power-reserve of 60 hours (minimum).

Technical specifications

Girard-Perregaux Tourbillon with Three Flying Bridges Bucherer Blue

Reference: 99296-21-3128-5GX

Limited edition of 18 pieces

Case

• Material: Titanium
• Diameter: 44 mm
• Thickness: 15.3 mm
• Case-back: Sapphire crystal ‘box’
• Water-resistant to 30 meters

Movement

• Calibre GP09400-1988
• Self-winding mechanical movement
• Diameter: 42.00 mm (18 3/4''')
• Height: 9.45 mm
• Frequency: 21'600 vph  – (3 Hz)
• Number of Parts: 260
• Number of Jewels: 27
• Oscillating weight: white gold micro-rotor
• Power Reserve: min. 60h

Functions/Indications

• Hours and minutes, small seconds on the tourbillon
• Tourbillon

Strap and buckle

• Calf leather strap, nubuck finish
• Titanium triple-folding buckle

MSRP

• CHF 159'000
• EUR 167'000
• USD 167'000

For more information, please visit girard-perregaux.com or bucherer.com