Introducing Girard-Perregaux Unveils La Esmeralda Tourbillon 'A Secret' Eternity Edition

During Geneva Watch Days 2024, we discussed Girard-Perregaux's updated Tourbillon with Three Flying Bridges, which is now presented as a second edition. This piece of art draws inspiration from the company's rich history, dating back to its founding in the 1860s. The La Chaux-de-Fonds-based company unveiled an additional version of the La Esmeralda Tourbillon 'A Secret Eternity Edition,' highlighting GP's craftsmanship in a pink gold case. This design is inspired by the La Esmeralda pocket watch, which achieved great success in 1889. The case inspired by the original pocket watch was intricately engraved, and the dial was adorned with white Grand Feu enamel. Now, 135 years later, the legend of La Esmeralda endures in the exquisite wristwatch form of the La Esmeralda Tourbillon 'A Secret Eternity Edition.'

While Girard-Perregaux is known for its sporty Laureato collection with its integrated bracelet and modern design, as seen in previous events, the company now presents a high-end watch that showcases traditional watchmaking techniques, from engraving to Grand Feu enamel.

The watch features a beautifully decorated pink gold case measuring 43mm in diameter and 15.1mm in height. The case, lugs, and bezel are intricately hand-engraved with leaf motifs, while the case band is treated with honey-colored enamel, complementing the dial. The dial is topped with a box-shaped sapphire crystal, coated with anti-reflective treatment for clarity.

The artistry continues on the pink gold caseback, which is engraved with three galloping horses across a sunray guilloché landscape, enhanced with Grand Feu enamel. A hidden pusher releases the caseback, revealing the automatic movement beneath the sapphire crystal.

The dial, partially skeletonized, features a movement area adorned with circular guilloché and finished with honey-colored Grand Feu enamel. As a tribute to the 1889 La Esmeralda, the dial showcases three arrow-shaped, mirror-polished gold bridges spanning horizontally, with two hand-engraved gold horses perched on them. The first bridge, positioned over the rhodium-plated barrel, has a horse on the right, while the third bridge, above the tourbillon, features a horse on the left.

The pink gold dauphine-style hour and minute hands are complemented by a blued steel hand on the tourbillon at 6 o'clock, indicating the seconds. Powering the watch is the automatic calibre GP09600, crafted by the brand and equipped with a discreet white gold micro-rotor located beneath the barrel. The movement beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour and offers a 50-hour power reserve.

The watch is mounted on a brown calfskin strap with an engraved pink gold buckle and comes with a complimentary black alligator strap. The La Esmeralda Tourbillon is a limited edition of only 18 pieces and is priced at CHF 428,000, which is approximately AED 1,860,000.

For more information visit Girard-Perregaux’s official website.