Press ReleaseGirard-Perregaux presents exclusive masterpiece in New-York
On the 17th of November 2011, Girard-Perregaux showcases for the first time its most iconic and classic set of timepieces in the Madison Boutique in New York City. The brand thus celebrates 220 years of watchmaking history and its everlasting reputation for being the quintessence of quality and excellence. Guests can witness a brilliant collection of timepieces from elegant pocket watches to multiple award-winning w
ristwatches, each infused with Girard-Perregaux's grandiose traditions of gorgeous artistry and skilled craftsmanship. The exhibit not only displays rare collections from the Museum, but also embodies the rich history of the brand and its substantial contribution to the art and science of Haute Horlogerie. In addition to New York, Girard-Perregaux has set up a worldwide traveling exhibition of these exceptional timepieces.
This traveling exhibition, before reaching New York, has been to:
Singapore - [Art & Science Museum] -
from September 16-18, 2011 Shanghai - [Sinan Mansions] -
from September 20-23, 2011Other remarkable timepieces from the Girard-Perregaux Museum were presented in:
Paris - [Printemps Hausmann] -
from August 25-October 8, 2011-10-25
Since 1791, Girard-Perregaux has been reinventing the long tradition of Swiss watchmaking. In its 220 years, the Swiss Manufacture has registered more than 80 patents in the field of watchmaking and has brought legendary creations to life. Today, the brand is one of the very few to bring together all of the skills and expertise required to produce Haute Horlogerie watches under one roof. In its 220th anniversary celebrations, Girard-Perregaux is paying tribute to the finest moments of its history, and preparing to record even finer moments to come…
TRAVELING EXHIBITION ANTIQUE POCKET WATCHES:
The promise of perfect craftmanship
As the precursor to wristwatches, pocket watches bridged the world of the sitting clock and the new world of mobile timekeeping. The pocket watch has evolved from humble beginnings as a simple, wearable timepiece to become the embodiment of Haute Horlogerie, an expression of the timeless quest for ever higher standards of beauty and precision. Yet this remains a vital, living history: elements of the unparalleled engineering of these movements and mechanisms of Girard-Perregaux are still being used in the timepieces of today.
1840 Lépine pendant watch signed J.-F Bautte & Co
Gold case decorated with pearls on a blue enamel background. Enamel dial
1870 Cross-shaped pendant watch
The movement is cross-shaped. Face of the case decoratedwith painted enameled religious figure; back engraved
and enamaled with the Ave Maria in Lain, bezel set with diamonds.
Masterpiece of Constant Girard-Perregaux. Gold caserichly engraved, Tourbillon with three gold Bridges, and detent escapement. This watch used to belong to General Diaz, president of Mexico.
TRAVELING EXHIBITION
Contemporary masterpieces: the aesthetics of time
In our times, the wristwatch has replaced the pocket watch as the wearable timepiece of choice, yet the wristwatch has also stood the test of time. With so many independent wristwatch manufacturers in the world, the factory of Girard-Perregaux still remains superior in its ability to produce works of unassailable quality and unforgettable beauty. It is a place where loyalty to time honoured tradition coexists with the drive for innovation, and where every timepiece produced remains true to the graceful but never ostentatious elegance and luxury characteristic of the Girard-Perregaux brand--the inimitable style much beloved by horlogerie connoisseurs all over the world.
In 1991, the Tourbillon with three gold Bridges is housed for the first time in a wristwatch.
The considerable challenge was to miniaturize to the hilt a highly sophisticated piece that would have to be fundamentally redesigned to reveal the beauty of the three gold Bridges under the movement, turning its impressive architecture into a splendid dial.Throughout the following decades, Girard-Perregaux presented various versions of this wristwatch, which has undeniably become the icon of the Brand. Modern version of the Tourbillon with three gold Bridges.
220th Anniversary Girard-Perregaux 1966 Tourbillon with gold Bridge
To mark the 220th anniversary of the Brand, the refined decoration and architecture of this new masterpiece are inspired by 19th century pocket tourbillons. The case houses a Girard-Perregaux 9610 movement comprising 224 components. The tourbillon Bridge of the new Girard-Perregaux 1966 Tourbillon has an unusual shape perfectly finished,accompanying a self-winding system patented by the Manufacture. The Girard-Perregaux1966 Tourbillon with gold Bridge expresses the essence of watchmaking tradition.
In 2009, the curved version of the Vintage 1945 is introduced.
The distinction of this Vintage 1945 is down to the complex play between the straight lines and curves of its new case. Its rectangular shape contrasts with the curves of the case. Its geometric subtleties are revealed in three dimensions: its finesse, its curved profile adapting perfectly to the wrist, its convex flanks providing an ideal housing for the crown. Vintage 1945 XXL in steel, 2011.
The Girard-Perregaux exhibition is so much more than a mere display of luxury wares-- they are still, first and foremost, the iconic, era-defining works in the art and science of Haute Horlogerie. To listen and observe the steady movements of these watches is to understand the spirit and genius of aparticular time and place--and it is with great pleasure that we discover this exhibition where Girard-Perregaux's 220 year-old legacy is manifested within each and every timepiece in the collection.
220 Years of Watchmaking
Art Exhibition: Nov. 18-23, 2011
Girard-Perregaux Boutique
701 Madison Ave (63 rd Street)
New York City
