Girard Perregaux

PeterCDE
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It?s a production piece

G'day,

sort of an update:

I went back and checked: the ceramic ball bearings for the micro-rotor are around at GP for some time; there?s been a testing phase which did proof the benefits of this solution and thus it?s ready to go.
The pictured rotor is a production piece, which means the automatic 3BT will feature the ceramic ball bearing on a serial base. Granted, only if one considers GP?s tiny production total a serial production...
Actually all automatic pieces in production do come with the ceramics, so it?s kind of a "soft launch".

These days there?s quite a number of Tourbillon watches on the market; but then, most of them do stem from very few ebauches by a very limited number of makers only.
GP is still one of extremely few makers with a truly propietory tourbillon movements. These are easily counted with one hand only and to my understanding the GP Three Bridges is still today the most credible and historically "justified". There is no other movement of current construction going back so far in history as the GP and there?s no other comparably unusual. Personally, i believe there?s no more beautiful either

So combining something so extremely traditional, in terms of design and execution, with a state-of-the-art technology is very special. To me it makes a real difference and distinguishes the GP movements even more, as it is not a cosmetic change only. In fact, in the assembled watch it is impossible to see the upgrade; it?s not jumping to eyes, like adding another bridge design or placing an additional hand here and there (what many other makers do). It?s a true benefit for customers.

And GP not making a "big thing" of it adds even more.
Of the Three Bridges the brand could do and sell a LOT more; the demand, particularly after the 2005 SIHH in Geneva, is such that supply is wildly topped and waiting lists will be inevitable. I do believe it is an outstanding decision for GP not to give in and do more of them, but to produce them in the way they are made which results in very low quantities. And to improve them, exactly in the way they do.
That?s all the base for a very collectable piece.

Greetings,

Peter

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