With the new Minute Repeater Flying Bridges, Girard-Perregaux pays tribute to a complication closely associated with the brand since the 1820s: the minute repeater.
Developed and produced entirely in-house, the 475-component Calibre GP9530 combines a chiming mechanism, a tourbillon and a micro-rotor winding system within an openworked architecture designed to maximise transparency.
The movement offers a contemporary interpretation of the Three Bridges architecture, a signature of the brand since the mid-19th century. In this version, the design has been reworked, with the third bridge positioned on the reverse side of the movement.
Acoustic performance was a central consideration in the development of Calibre GP9530.
The movement was engineered to produce a clear tone while ensuring efficient vibration transmission and optimal case acoustics, while minimising unwanted noise.
The plate and bridges are made of titanium, a light and rigid material that facilitates the propagation of vibrations throughout the movement.
The mainplate is also secured directly to the case, allowing vibrations to pass efficiently from the movement to the pink gold case of the Flying Bridges Minute Repeater.
The openworked construction of the calibre serves both aesthetic and functional purposes.
While revealing the movement’s internal architecture, the airy structure also supports effective sound resonance within the case.
The 46 mm x 17.90 mm pink gold case is equipped with an arrow-shaped slide integrated into the monobloc case middle.
This solution improves reliability while ensuring water resistance to 30 metres / 100 feet.
A domed sapphire crystal on both sides of the case amplifies the melody produced by the hammers striking the gongs on the dial side.
To minimise any noise or interference that could affect sound purity, the gongs and gong stud are fashioned from a single piece of metal, while the centrifugal strike regulator has been relocated to the back of the movement.
The self-winding system features a jewel-set white gold micro-rotor designed to operate silently.
Made in pink gold, the inner bezel ring carries applied hour markers enhanced with blue-emission luminescent material.
The pink gold openworked hands are also treated with the same luminescent coating.
No fewer than 1,340 hand-polished chamfers — including 295 interior angles — form an essential part of the visual character of the GP9530 calibre.
Operating at a frequency of 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour), the movement delivers a power reserve of at least 60 hours.
The watch is paired with a black rubber strap with a fabric effect and secured by a pink gold triple folding clasp.
The new Girard-Perregaux Minute Repeater Flying Bridges (ref. 99840-52-2013-5CC) is priced at €593,000. girard-perregaux.com
