Last year in the month of March, Girard-Perregaux introduced its Tri-Axial Tourbillon complication in 18k rose-gold. The timepiece, described as a spectacularly precise watchmaking mechanism that defies the effects of gravity, is indeed stunning. For this year, Girard-Perregaux has updated the watch with a case made of white gold, and a more revealing dial design. The 48mm white gold model is limited to only 10 pieces. The Girard-Perregaux’ watch with the physics-defying Tri-Axial Tourbillon is truly unique in its finishing and its construction. The tourbillon’s regulating organ revolves on three independent axes of rotation, instead of the traditional one axis.
The highly complex tri-axial tourbillon is made of 140 components, and it measures no less than 13.78 mm in diameter. It has a captivating, multi-dimensional structure, thanks to three layers of cages – each for one axis of rotation. The interior carriage, housing the escapement and balance wheel is lyre shaped and makes a full rotation every 60 seconds. This interior carriage is fitted into a separate structure that rotates around a separate axis every 30 seconds. Lastly, the structure as a whole rotates around a third axis, making a full revolution every two minutes. This complex mechanism is flawlessly finished, and its 140 components total only 1.24 g.
To view the mechanism without any hindrance and from as many angles as possible, Girard-Perregaux created anti-reflective toric crystal window on the side of the manual winding watch below the 9 o’clock position. A sapphire crystal case back enables the view from behind. As per GP, It takes almost 160 hours for the watchmakers to assemble the 317 components of the movement.
