Girard-Perregaux Cat’s Eye Jewellery Watch

Press release – Girard-Perregaux

Before we get onto the Press Release just a few of our own words, we cannot fault Girard-Perregaux on its achievements and its commitment to its watchmakers especially with its work to make watchmaking an art that is available and accessible to all through its promotion with its New Young watchmakers activities, which we have closely followed here on The Watch Review Site (if you are interested you will find the articles about these young watchmakers and their exploits here.)

But to say the least we are not impressed by this Girard-Perregaux Cat’s Eye Ladies Watch, its just too glitzy and diamondy for us here at the Watch Review Site… But in the nature of the beast we are sure it will be of interest to a lot of you out there so here it is in it’s full technicolour glory. Oh and not taking away the fact that it has been a mainstay in the GP collection since 2004 and the technical and artistic achievements in producing the piece, its just not for us.

A union between Haute Horlogerie and Haute Joaillerie

A myriad of diamonds clothes the Cat’s Eye in light, accentuating the curves of its silhouette. Behind the scenes are the mechanics of perfection. Time beats to the rhythm of a self-winding movement manufactured by Girard-Perregaux. The Cat’s Eye Haute Joaillerie showcases highly skilled crafts where beauty and technology complement one another in perfect harmony.

Draped in 150 emerald-cut precious stones, the case illuminates its feminine curves. The flower-shaped crown unfurls its petals to reveal its heart: a rose-cut diamond. The hours display blossoms on a bed of gemstones that emphasize the emblematic case shape.

Starting with the small seconds, the iridescent oval progressively broadens with uniform brilliance. The dial, adorned with a delicate “Clous de Paris” hobnail motif, includes 102 emerald-cut diamonds, selected and positioned in order to deliver maximum brilliance.

A traditional technique requiring a particularly delicate touch, the “Clou de Paris” hobnail motif consists of holding several stones with a single “clou” or pin, meaning that the diamond cutter must cut and calibrate the stones meticulously, one by one. The sapphire crystal, rounded in both directions, tops the dial and its leaf shaped hands.

A taupe-coloured satin strap enhances the sparkle of the stones. The contrast is subtle, the union a success. Extended by an ardillon buckle set with 13 baguette-cut diamonds, it encircles the wrist with unforgettable moments in time.

Finally, the hand-engraved case back opens onto the calibre GP03300 self-winding movement whose oscillating weight adopts Girard-Perregaux’s tapestry decoration. The date has been set.

Created in 2004, the Cat’s Eye collection dedicates beautiful watchmaking pieces to women. The refinement of the pieces rivals their attention to detail. Its emblematic design, which has won numerous distinctions, is highlighted by precious materials and manufacture movements, both simple and with complications. The collection proves that fine watchmaking is far from being the prerogative solely of men.

Girard-Perregaux Cat’s Eye – TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Reference: 91702B53P7B1-KK6A

Case in white gold with a rounded, anti-reflective sapphire crystal set with 150 emerald-cut diamonds for ~14.52 carats

Case back: with anti-reflective sapphire crystal

Dimensions: 38.63 mm x 33.63 mm

Water resistance: 30 meters (3 ATM)

Crown: white gold, set with one rose-cut diamond ~ 0.14 carat

Dial: set with 102 emerald-cut diamonds for ~6.6 carats

Hands: leaf-shaped

Girard-Perregaux GP03300-0072 Movement

Self-winding mechanical movement

Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds

Jewels: 27 rubies

Power reserve: minimum 46 hours

Frequency: 28,800 Vib/h (4 Hz)

Satin strap with Ardillon buckle in white gold, set with 13 baguette-cut diamonds for ~0.67 carats

For Other Girard-Perregaux Watches which we really do like why not read this on the 1966 Chronograph or even this on the Girard-Perregaux ww.tc Dark Night. Now these are proper Girard-Perregaux timepieces. Sorry GP about the Cat’s eye…

Girard-Perregaux WW.TC DARK NIGHT – 25 Piece Limited Edition

This exclusive timepiece is to be released in a limited edition of 25 and the Girard-Perregaux ww.tc Dark Night will only be released and available in the U.S.A.

The Dark Night will be launched at the 2012 JCK show in Las Vegas.

We have previously published an article on the ww.tc on The watch review site here in the superhero series by Martin Green, the Girard-Perregaux ww.tc Dark Night is to be a  unique ‘dark’ version of the now iconic Girard-Perregaux world-timer, the ww.tc Dark Night comes in a 43 mm black ceramic case.

The case is finished immaculately as expected from Girard Perregaux and this underlines the striking powerful black dial highlighted with touches of red and white.

We all have been told that ceramic is one of the most durable and hardweraing materials in watchmaking and with it’s exceptional lightness this watch becomes very very wearable. The ww.tc Dark Night uses an internal titanium container to improve its structure.

This watch has a sports watch feel and the case encloses the Girard-Perregaux GP03387 self-winding movement at its heart, This movement was designed specifically for the Dark Night and , displays the time in twenty-four time zones with day and night indicator, date and fly-back chronograph.

Girard-Perregaux ww.tc Dark Night – Technical Details

Black ceramic case with rubber coated crowns and push-buttons

Diameter: 43 mm

Sapphire crystal

Tinted sapphire case-back secured by 6 screws

Water resistance: 10 ATM

Girard-Perregaux movement GP03387 – Mechanical with automatic winding

Calibre: 13’’’

Frequency: 28,800 Vib/h (4 Hz)

Jewels: 63

Power reserve: minimum 46 hours

Functions: Hour, minute, small seconds, date, fly-back chronograph, world time with day/night indicator

Rubber strap with safety folding buckle

Limited and numbered edition of 25 pieces only   

Other GP Articles you may be interested in on The Watch Review Site are Girard-Perregaux ww.tc Shadow or Other Girard Perregaux news and Reviews on our brand page.  

New Faces of Tradition – Follow Up

Following on from our previous articles on Girard-Perregaux’s young watchmakers, we have a press releases highlighting their adventures. Well Girard Perregaux has sent them on a worldwide tour, they’ve been to New York and now they hit Beijing. This time they had the added pleasure of Dominique Loiseau joining them.

Hope you like it…

Girard-Perregaux’s The New Face of Tradition Takes Over Beijing with Famed Watchmaker Dominique Loiseau

Girard-Perregaux Press Release 

Beijing, China (June 20, 2012) — Girard-Perregaux, iconic luxury Swiss watch brand, broke the laws of watchmaking with its recent unveiling of an industry first, The New Face of Tradition, Eight Young Watchmakers and the Art of Making Time. This journal, featuring eight young watchmakers from its famed atelier, launched the international Young Watchmakers Tour.

After the successful exhibition at the first stop in New York City, the Young Watchmakers Tour took hold of Beijing on June 20^th. Pictures of the talented crew of young watchmakers were shot at their watchmaking benches at many iconic and historical relics in the city, mixing the traditional Swiss craft and the deep cultural richness of Beijing. Following the shoot, the Zen Living Space was transformed into a GP World to showcase the exquisite timepieces and profound cultural foundation of Girard-Perregaux. Guests enjoyed participating in one-on-one workshop, learning about the sophisticated structure of watch movements, and the built movements on their own under the guidance of the brand’s talented watchmakers.

Girard-Perregaux believes that the new generation of young watchmakers can passionately perform multiple roles, which are just as colorful and diverse as the precious Girard-Perregaux watches they build. They perfectly interpret the classical combination of watchmaking and their innovative spirit, full of vitality.

Stefano Macaluso, General manager of Girard-Perregaux said: “Girard-Perregaux, with its 221-year history, has cemented the road for watchmaking in several ways. The young watchmakers not only inherit the tradition of the brand, but also bring more power and vigor with them, fully combining tradition and innovation”.

Dominique Loiseau, Girard-Perregaux’s famed watchmaker, also joined and hosted an in-depth discussion with Mr. Alexandre Bigler, watch expert from Christie’s Hong Kong. Their discussion included timing art, machine manufacturing and the inheritance of classics, as well as Girard-Perregaux’s 221-year tradition and Loiseau’s vision for the future development of the Brand.

‘I’m honored and excited to be in Beijing today”, says Loiseau. “Girard-Perregaux has been making history for the last two centuries. Tradition is foremost a know-how, the fundamental respect for immutable rules of the mechanic, without compromise. But without creativity, tradition is a bad habit. We have to evolve with our time. The essential is to try to create watches that can touch our contemporaries and the future generations”.

A legend in the watchmaking world, Mr. Dominique Loiseau has been engaged in the watch-making industry for more than 30 years giving birth to some of the most amazing contemporary creations.

If you are interested in seeing information on all the Girard Perregaux Young Watchmakers here are the links to the articles on The Watch Review Site, Young Watchmaker No.1, Young Watchmaker No.2, Watchmakers No.3 & No.4, Watchmakers No.5 & No.6 and Watchmakers No.7 & No.8.

GIRARD-PERREGAUX VINTAGE 1945 TOURBILLON WITH THREE GOLD BRIDGES

Before we get to the press release, I just wanted to express my humble view on this exquisite Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 Tourbillon, This is a Ladies Watch with Three Gold Bridges and was the favourite of a couple of the Girard Perregaux Young watchmakers in our recent GP New Face of Tradition series where we saw Girard-Perregaux introduce eight of their latest young watchmakers giving us an insight into their background and lives. You can see our articles in respect of the same here, New Faces overview, No.1, No.2, No.3&4, No.5&6 and No.7&8.

Its an interesting addition to the already extensive Vintage 1945 range of timepieces and a very welcome one by Girard-Perregaux enthusiasts, So lets see what the fuss is all about shall we…

Press Release by Girard-Perregaux

Haute horlogerie, elegance and technology

The heritage of Girard-Perregaux’s acclaimed Tourbillon with three gold Bridges places itself squarely in the twenty-first century. Combining noble materials and a high-tech finish, its elegance and majestic architecture underscore its singular character. A rarity limited to 50 pieces.

Fashioned in pink gold, the case and the bridges form a striking contrast with the color of the main plate. Its matte anthracite coating is the result of a particular combination of precious materials similar to platinum and draws on cutting-edge technologies. Other elements, such as the barrel, the lower gearwheel bridges and the bridge supports, adopt this finish, resulting in a stunning visual effect.

In a bold leap across time, this limited edition of the Vintage 1945 Tourbillon with three gold Bridges offers a new take on a movement whose origins date back to the end of the 19th century. Drawing on the latest technological progress, it concentrates rare technical and Manufacture expertise within its delicately curved Art Deco-inspired case.

The satin-finished skeletonized bridges, with their pure, contemporary geometry, are the fruit of extremely delicate design: first finely openworked, they are then carefully hand-polished. Seven days are necessary to obtain a perfect finish, since the numerous closed angles form a considerable challenge. The tourbillon system also requires special attention, as its 72 components must be meticulously assembled inside a diameter of just 12 millimeters. To cap these feats, a precious matte anthracite coating gives this timepiece its distinctive personality.

The self-winding caliber GP9600 movement has an integrated micro-rotor housed under the barrel, patented by Girard-Perregaux. The mechanism’s architecture, also visible through the sapphire back is further enhanced by the matte anthracite-coated components. The Vintage 1945 Tourbillon with three gold Bridges is a formidable demonstration of the Manufacture’s expertise. In other words, how aesthetics and technique manage to reinvent and renew the rules of the watchmaking art.

GIRARD-PERREGAUX VINTAGE 1945 TOURBILLON WITH THREE GOLD BRIDGES - Technical Details

Reference - 99880-52-001-BA6A

Pink-gold case with domed anti-glare sapphire glass

Back: with anti-glare sapphire

Dimensions: 36.10 mm x 35.25 mm

Water resistance: 30 meters

Crown: pink gold, engraved with GP logo

Dial: matte anthracite surface treatment (NAC) on the mainplate

Hands: gold regatta, diamond polished

Movement Girard-Perregaux 9600-0019, Mechanical self-winding

Functions: Tourbillon, hours, minutes

Dimensions: 28.60 mm x 30.30 mm

Total thickness: 3.20 mm

Jewels: 31 jewels

Power reserve: minimum 48 hours

Winding: automatic, hand-brushed platinum rotor

Frequency: 21,600 vibrations/hour (3 Hz)

Components: Number: 257

Balance wheel: variable inertia with gold regulating screws (diameter 8.35 mm)

Balance-spring: Breguet, Philips terminal curve

Mainplate: anthracite (NAC) surface treatment, vertical guilloché on top, pearling and guilloché below, hand-polished angles

Lower gear train bridge: vertical guilloché, hand-polished angles

Barrel: engraved cover with hand-applied circular guilloché and brushing

Rhodium-plated barrel, central and tourbillon bridges: in gold, hand-polished angles brushed top and edges

Tourbillon: 72 components weighing a total of 0.3 grams, one rotation per minute, upper and lower carriages beveled and polished by hand, escapement and pallet bridges beveled and polished by hand

Alligator strap - Folding clasp in pink gold

Limited edition of 50