Girard Perregaux

“The purpose of a Tourbillon is to compensate for the effects of gravity”

“By housing the regulating mechanism in a cage rotating on its own axis, it takes a variety of vertical positions compensating for each other”

The first tourbillon was developed circa 1795 by Abraham-Louis Bréguet. The “normal”, one axis Tourbillon was developed to compensate for different vertical positions, which make perfect sense for a pocket watch.

In modern time when people wear wrist watches, watchmakers are challenged to compensate for different positions in all three dimensions. 

In 1977 Anthony Randall invented the first double axis tourbillon. In the following year, 1978, the first working double axis tourbillon, a carriage clock, constructed by Richard Good.

Since then several of the major Manufacture has developed their own “3D” Tourbillon.

The Tri-Axial Tourbillon is Girard-Perregaux version of this, the “Ultimate Tourbillon”!

So, how does it work?

As the name imply there are three axis of which the Tourbillon cage rotates around.

First axis: The Tourbillon cage block makes one complete revolution in 2 minutes (left arrow).

Second axis: The cage block is simultaneous rotated around a second axis, one complete revolution in 30 seconds (middle arrow).

Third axis: The “traditional” Tourbillon case makes one revolution in 1 minute (right arrow).

This Tourbillon cage is made of 140 parts and weighs only 1.24 grams!

For me this watch is all about the Tourbillon and the movement.

To see the cage revolve around the three axis is hypnotizing!

Something that small and so light is able to “beat” in such a steady pace spinning around and around and around …

Here is a close up on the first “axis”.

The tourbillon diameter is 13.78 mm.

What can I say… No one can deny that it is a stunning movement!

And if we look at the back…

GP has reused the traditional shape of the golden bridge.  

Even if the Caliber GP09300-0001 is quite sparse with decoration on the back plate… It is a beautiful movement! One that makes you happy when you see it!

The dial is, IMO, the weak part of this watch.

(Photo shamelessly stolen from Forversta)

I like the applied numbers/index on the sub dial and the curved power reserve… 

The detail I don’t understand why GP choose is the pattern on the sub dial, it doesn’t really align with anything else on this watch, personally I think a similar pattern as on the grey areas would have been better for the harmony.

One nice detail is the skeleton hands and the minute scale outside the sub dial.  Then you have the three big grey surfaces in between, I would rather have seen something lighter in color or black.

I love the crystal bubble that allows you to really see and admire the tri-axis Tourbillon!

The pink gold 48 mm case follows the characteristic GP shape. 48 sound very big and is definitely outside my normal comfort zone, but as you can see on Forvesta’s wrist – not too big.

The lugs do not go outside his wrist. Here is another example, my GP contacts wrist, still the lugs do not go outside the wrist.

One reason why I think this watch works on the wrist even if big is the fact that the lugs are extremely curved. As you can see in the photo, it almost looks like the case has legs!

One super cool detail is the “window” in the case side at 9 o’clock which gives you the opportunity to admire the Tourbillon even more!

Some additional facts:

Water resistance: 3 ATM (30 meters)
Caliber GP09300-0001, mechanical with manual winding
Frequency: 21,600 vibrations/hour - (3 Hz), Jewels: 34
Power reserve: min. 50 hours
Functions: Tri-Axial Tourbillon, off-centered hours and minutes, power reserve indicator
Strap, black alligator leather, 22.00/20.00 mm
Buckle: pink gold, folding
Limited Edition of 10 pieces.

This is a watch that changes character depending on the light.

So, what did I think of this watch?

Technical this is 10 out of 10 for me! My GF would either kill me or smash the watch if I ever get one, because I would sit and admire the Tri-Axis Tourbillon all day…

The design, I am not thrilled of the dial but the case, the open case back and the “side window”, plus the stunning movement – I love it!

Would I buy one? Not sure (because there is another heavy GP itching my brain)… But the main reason why I never will get one is because; by the time I have been able to raise the money… The ten watches will be long gone!

Hope you enjoyed this closer look at the Tri-Axial Tourbillon!

Best

Blomman