Tip of the week #092 – Return to traditional mechanical timepieces

Apr 21, 2015,00:48 AM
 

During the 1970’s, with the rise of quartz, Girard-Perregaux was one of the first Manufactures to take up the challenge of a return to traditional mechanical timepieces, and undertook the remaking of twenty pieces of Constant Girard’s masterpiece: the famous Tourbillon with three gold Bridges pocket watch.

 

 

 

After 1500 hours of work, the number 1 is presented. One of the challenges was to relearn forgotten techniques and gestures.

 

For example, the watchmakers had to hand-finish the parts with files and burnishers as no machinery was capable of working on these smaller parts with tolerances of one hundredth of a millimeter!

 

The detent mechanism of the Tourbillon features a stone of only 0.04 mm!

The rectangular section of the detent measures, at its thinner end, only 0.2 mm in height and 0.1 mm in width!



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My pleasure, Mark! [nt]

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : April 21st, 2015-14:55

Wonderful pics Blomman

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : April 21st, 2015-06:23
GP definitely understands that a timepiece is not just functional but a true work of art! Cheers Robin

Indeed!

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : April 21st, 2015-14:56
That is one of the reasons why I am into GP watches... :) Best Blomman

Ohlala ! Ohlala ! Ohlala !

 
 By: Mike H : April 21st, 2015-15:35
Tears are coming to my eyes in front of such a beauty ! What a pity that beautiful pocket watches are not anymore sought after so much... Also 3 bridges AND ding dong ! but not GP sorry (unsigned) Best, Mike ...  

Your PW is such a beauty!

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : April 21st, 2015-23:02
Thank you for sharing it also here! :) Yes, a lot of marvels made for pockets are missed if you only look at wrist watches... Best, my friend Blomman

A pure marvel indeed! :) [nt]

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : April 22nd, 2015-10:31