On the occasion of the Geneva Watch Days, which open today, Girard-Perregaux presents two new watches, the Free Bridge and the Free Bridge Infinity Edition. These two new watches are a tribute to Girard-Perregaux's famous Three Bridges from 1867. The design is undeniably contemporary and is perfect for those who appreciate bold style codes. "Girard-Perregaux is renowned for Swiss excellence and innovative watchmaking," explains Girard-Perregaux CEO Patrick Pruniaux. "With these models, our master watchmakers have revisited the company's famous Bridges, first presented in the 1860s. The design of the Free Bridge and the Free Bridge Infinity Edition has been reworked in a contemporary and future-oriented way. The style of each model is striking and, despite the technical execution of the two references, these watches remain relatively affordable. The Free Bridge and its "twin", the Free Bridge Infinity Edition, are equipped with a characteristic arrow-shaped bridge, the Neo Bridge, located at the base of the mainplate. The geometry of this bridge echoes the iconic arrow-shaped bridge design typical of the Maison, but at the same time reinterprets the contemporary structures typical of architecture. With regard to the movement, the master watchmakers in La Chaux-de-Fonds have revisited the tried and tested GP01800 manufacture calibre, enriching it with cutting-edge technology. The company has in fact used silicon to make the escapement and certain components of the balance. Not subject to corrosion, silicon is not affected by temperature variations, is light and less sensitive to magnetic fields - all of which bring a number of advantages to the user. Once again, Girard-Perregaux has taken advantage of silicon's ability to take on complex shapes, using this state-of-the-art material to create not only the escapement, but also a large balance with variable inertia. Most watches are equipped with a racket that alters the actual length of the balance spring, causing the movement to speed up or slow down. With a variable-inertia balance wheel, the length of the balance spring is fixed and the rate is altered by moving the adjustment masses. The advantage of this approach is that the rocker arm is more stable and less sensitive to shocks. The aerodynamic design and large diameter further increase precision. In contrast to the traditional sapphire crystal, both models are equipped with a newly developed sapphire crystal box with a characteristic convex shape. Four to five times as much material and incredible polishing skill are required to make it. The opening of the movement, between 6 and 12 o'clock, illuminates the visible components. The inverted movement offers a never-before-seen view of various, often unseen components on the dial side, including the balance, escapement and barrel located at the top of the dial. The self-winding GP01800-1170 calibre perpetuates the company's haute horlogerie tradition and is embellished with Côtes de Genève motifs, bevelling, sandblasting and a snailed decoration. The specifications of the Infinity edition also include an 18-carat rose gold oscillating weight. The Maison's Eagle symbol engraved on the calibre testifies to the fact that this is a Manufacture movement. Both the Free Bridge and the Free Bridge Infinity Edition feature an hour bridge that draws the eye towards the barrel and balance. On the Free Bridge, the hour bridge is satin-finished and hand-chamfered, while that of the Free Bridge Infinity Edition is made of onyx, a material with a particularly dark and intense shade of black. The hour bridge features straight lines that contrast with the arched lines of the case. The Free Bridge is housed in a 44 mm steel case, while the case of the Free Bridge Infinity Edition is DL-treated.The Free Bridge is a new pillar of the Bridges collection and will be on sale from October 2020 at all authorised Girard-Perregaux retailers. The Free Bridge Infinity Edition, also on sale from October, is limited to 88 pieces.
