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Girard-Perregaux with a rich heritage dating back to 1791, have been a pioneer in the world of watches with one of their most iconic collections, the Bridges. The roots of the collection can be traced back to the 1860s when Girard-Perregaux began producing pocket watches featuring a tourbillon regulator with three distinctive bridges that adorned the dial. The collection was further solidified when it was awarded a gold medal in 1889 at the International Exposition in Paris. Over the years, Girard-Perregaux have continuously reinvented the Bridges collection and introduced various series like The La Esmeralda, Cosmo, Planetarium Tri-axial and The Minute Repeater.
Exploring The Collection's Iterations
Inspired by the original La Esmeralda that garnered international acclaim when it won the Gold Medal at the International Exposition in Paris in 1889. The modern series reinterprets this iconic timepiece by featuring the three gold bridges on the dial and showcasing the intricate mechanics. The series also incorporates the hand-engraved galloping horses at the back case of the original. The Cosmos model within this collection is a testament to the intricate artistry and technical prowess that Girard-Perregaux are celebrated for. This timepiece features two globes, symmetrically placed at the dial's three and nine o'clock positions. The terrestrial globe indicates day and night while the celestial globe displays the zodiac signs.
The Planetarium Tri-Axial is one of the few timepieces in the world featuring a rare triple-axis tourbillon. Alongside this, a rotating terrestrial globe offers a global view of time with a moon phase indicator at 12 o’clock. The design, with two sapphire domes and a side opening, allows full appreciation of its intricate mechanics. The Minute Repeater Tourbillon with Bridges showcases the brand's signature arrow-shaped Bridges, integrating the minute repeater mechanism directly onto the main plate. The watch’s open-worked design reveals the intricate workings of the chimes and the tourbillon at the six o’clock marker, covered by the iconic Bridge.