2luxury2 at Baselworld 2013: Girard-Perregaux’s Haute Horlogerie collection.
Girard-Perregaux’s Constant Escapement Haute Horlogerie timepieces took 5 years of development. Let’s take a step back in time with Girard- Perregaux at BaselWorld 2013, one of the most prestigious watch and jewellery show in Switzerland.
Based on the ground-breaking prototypes presented in 2008, it has taken five years of research to bring Constant Escapement signature movement to fruition. The watch is revolutionary concept addressing a holy grail of watchmaking, Constant Force. Constant Escapement represents a breakthrough in the field of chronometry with a completely new architecture and design of the escapement (3 different patents).
Unlike other systems that propose a constant force averaged over time, this is an authentic constant force escapement, as the force is instantaneous and continuous. And indeed, it is quite measurable using laboratory testing methods. The movement takes its place in a comfortable round 48 mm diameter case in white gold with a curved case band.
To offer maximum visibility to the escapement itself, with its butterfly wing frame and the vibrating blade in its central axis, the hours and minutes occupy a sub-dial off-centered at 12 o’clock. This is flanked by the two energy reservoirs in the shape of the double barrels. Logically linear, the power reserve indicator is placed at 9 o’clock.
The whole of the lower part of the watch is reserved for the Constant Escapement, which occupies center stage and steals the show, beating at the frequency of 3 Hz or 21,600 vibrations per hour. Under the anti-glare treated sapphire glass the brand’s three emblematic bridges are visible and play their structural role in a novel layout.
This manually wound caliber is no thicker than 8 mm, while the case that houses it measures 14.63 mm, with a wide open sapphire glass back held in place by 6 screws offering another angle of view on the remarkable 3-D construction of this unique movement.
The amplitude, accuracy and beat of mechanical watches are measured analyzing the sound of the movement. The ticking sound of mechanical watches (the sound made by two rubies banging into the steel teeth of the escape wheel for Swiss lever escapements) is recognized and analyzed by electronic devices.
Girard-Perregaux Constant Escapement. Technical Specifications:
Case: white gold.
Diameter: 48.00 mm.
Glass: domed anti-reflective sapphire .
Crown: white gold with engraved GP logo.
Dial: silvered with grained finish and rhodium-plated appliques.
Hands: dauphine style.
Case back: sapphire glass, secured with 6 screws, all inscriptions hand engraved.
Water resistance: 30 meters.
Girard-Perregaux Movement MVT-009100-0007
Hand wound mechanical movement.
Caliber: 17½ ’’’.
Frequency: 21,600 Vib/h – (3 Hz).
Power reserve: approximately one week.
Jewels: 28.
Number of components: 271
Functions: hour, minute, central second, linear power reserve.
Black alligator strap
White gold folding clasp.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xgwtkCzbFjY
