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Many luxury watch brands are available in the market, and one of the oldest brands that spike up its timeless quality is Girard Perregaux. The history of this brand molded its way to success, including the mergers that raised its name in horology. Its innovation, the Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges, is a remarkable feature that most collectors are after.
Girard Perregaux or GP continues to upgrade and partner with big companies to spread its innovative technology in watchmaking. One of those is the partnership they had recently with the famous automotive company Aston Martin. The year 2021 began GP’s post as the official timepiece partner of Aston Martin’s Formula 1 team.
Going back, GP won’t be on its feet right now without the beautiful history and timepieces that it possesses. Let’s take a look back on how Girard Perregaux managed to reach success before today.
Significant History
Girard Perregaux is one of the oldest watch brands in the world. In 1791, it began producing around the Jura mountains in Switzerland. The founders, Constant Girard and Marie Perregaux, sealed the merging of the two watchmaking families. Their marriage led to the start-up in La-Chaux-de Fonds with their small watch shop. Ever since their union, the company has succeeded in producing creative and quality timepieces.
This luxury brand further boosts its name upon acquiring the Maison of Jean-Francois Bautte of Geneva. Its company managed complete watch and jewelry manufacture. It is popular among royalties and wealthy families around Europe, the East Asian market, and China. The merger took Girard Perregaux to a higher level of horology that competes with other luxury brands.
GP gained a new reputation after winning an award in the Universal Exposition of Paris for its “tourbillon with three gold bridges.” In 1889, the primary purpose of tourbillons was solely to facilitate technical and accurate measurements. This watch revitalized its use. It became a desirable luxury for aristocrats and their clients and quickly became universally respected as everyone can see the underlying technology.
Popular Series
Every timepiece brand boasts a line of watches that possess unique attributes. GP presents these one-of-a-kind and elegant watches with beautiful aesthetics that stand out from the crowd. You will likely be mesmerized by the designs as they are indeed the results of a great mind and innovation.
Girard Perregaux 1966
The vintage model GP 1966 flaunts its classic, sleek design with a price range of $7,500 to $17,000 in the market. Its price depends on the complications or features it bears. This timeless watch inspired by the 1960s is available for both men and women. If you’re looking for a simple yet modern and unique style, then the 1966 collection is the one for you.
Its face is round with a thin watch case and leaf-like shaped hand dials. During the 60s era, wearing a classic watch is a remarkable look. GP 1966 was awarded for its technical advances by the Neuchâtel Observatory Centenary. It introduced the first high-frequency caliber that beats at 36,000 vph.
Girard Perregaux Laureato
The 1975 GP Laureato features the same as 1966 when it comes to being classic. It accomplished another achievement in the 20th century for featuring a slim and accurate quartz movement. Another iconic character that Laureato is known for is the octagonal bezel. Since then, this collection opened up innovations, such as colors of the watch and sizes to the skeleton watches.
Laureato features meticulous gemstones like crinkle-cut diamonds and titanium with its highest quality. The design is aesthetically beautiful, all the while holding its elegant form. The price starts at $8,500 up to $142,000 (this price is for the Laureato skeleton model).
Girard Perregaux Competizione
GP Competizione rose in 2016 at Baselworld. It is one of the products of GP’s collaboration with car racing. Moving forward, it’s not a surprise anymore if we look at the recent collaboration of GP with Aston Martin. The most famous models of this collection are Stradale and Circuito Chronographs which are great for racing.
Stradale and Circuito’s chronographs featured the 42mm case and power reserve for two days. The vintage feel of GP relives in this edition. It features the highest quality steel, carbon composite, and titanium. Thick and heavy, Competizione carries timeless elegance with straps that have a semi-wide array for comfortable wear. Its price ranges from $9,000 to $10,000.
Girard Perregaux Cat’s Eye
Born in 2004, Cat’s Eye is the feminine edition of Girard Perregaux. This ladies’ watch sports an oval-shaped case, wearing precious embellishments that signify the glamor most women desire to have. The quality, however, still carries the company’s philosophy aside from the sleek and glimmering features.
GP Cat’s Eyes captures the sensual, elegant, and high-class mechanical movements for this watch. Besides diamonds, it is also available in gold, aventurines, and pearls. The highest-priced Cat’s Eye timepiece has a gold tourbillon. Its price ranges from $15,500 to $303,000.
Girard Perregaux Bridges
GP Bridges wears the Swiss brand – the highest quality of precision among watches. As everyone knows, GP’s legacy began in the 19th century when they invented watch bridges. The company sought new markets. Thus, Girard-Perregaux was among the first watchmakers to include a tourbillon with three gold bridges.
The corporation succeeded in putting watch bridges into the spotlight. The highlight pieces are the Neo Bridges and Quasar Light, which manage to balance familiarity with a timeless appeal of the three gold bridges. Prices start at $18,300 up to $858,000.
Final Say
Girard Perregaux proved to be one of the most coveted timepieces globally for its aesthetics and quality that no other brand can offer. The revolutionary designs and movements created an exemplary position for GP in the world of watchmaking. Hence, even the most famous car company Aston Martin trusted GP to be its partner.
Indeed, GP is on its way to stay on the top. Want to own this luxury watch for your collection? Visit WatchShopping to find your own unique Girard Perregaux watch!
SevenFriday is also another impressive brand of watches that you must buy.
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