Girard-Perregaux has announced a new addition to its Bridges collection which brings meteorite into the picture. However, it is not just about the use of meteorite as a dial material, which is what is most familiar to everyone. Based on the original Free Bridge design, which attaches the central bridge to the mainplate with screws, the Free Bridge Meteorite substitutes this with two Gibeon meteorite plates.

Starting with the basics, the Free Bridge Meteorite has an inverted movement, with the bridges located at the front, the balance wheel at 6 o’clock, and the spring barrel directly above it. At the base of the dial, the Neo Bridge spans the mainplate, supporting the balance.

The 44mm stainless steel case watch also has suspended markers, and silicium is used for the escape wheel and pallet lever and arms. The hour and minute hands and the markers have Super-LumiNova.

The two plates on either side of the movement, escape wheel and pallet lever are made by slicing the meteorite and, as you will no doubt recognise by sight from other watches with meteorite dials, have the Widmanstätten pattern found in the octahedrite iron meteorites.

The movement is the automatic GP01800, which beats at 28,800 VPH and has a power reserve of 54 hours.

Coming on a black rubber strap with a fabric effect, the new Girard-Perregaux Free Bridge Meteorite has an RRP of CHF 24,600.

[Photo credit: Girard-Perregaux]

Categories: Girard Perregaux, Watch Profile, watches