Girard-Perregaux has today revealed the Free Bridges Meteorite, a rare model that dreams of other planets and universes via the inclusion of not one but two meteorite plates in its singular design.
The latest addition to the Swiss watch brand’s celebrated Bridges Collection, Free Bridges Meteorite harks back to the collection’s 19th-century origins. Considered the oldest mechanical signature in Haute Horlogerie, over time this signature has evolved – yet, what the new Free Bridge Meteorite shares with its predecessors is an inverted movement with front-placed bridges and the balance wheel at 6 o’clock.
However, bringing the timepiece right into the modern-day is the two meteorite fragments from the asteroid belt. First discovered in Namibia, this Gibeon meteorite is made up of an iron-nickel alloy, with small amounts of cobalt and phosphorous.
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Coincidentally – given Girard-Perregaux’s famous penchant for symmetry – the space fragments feature naturally occurring lines, known as the Widmanstätten pattern. The pattern on every piece is entirely unique, giving each watch its own identity. The plates have been treated to accentuate the Widmanstätten pattern, with great care to ensure minimal erosion, and then rhodium-plated to prevent any corrosion of the iron-rich material.
The watch’s design is a masterclass in both symmetry and depth. The entire display sits beneath a sapphire crystal box, with the two plates sitting on either side of the main dial; skeletonized, dauphine-style hour and minute hands (both in luminescent white) sit atop the bridge, which in turn straddles elements of the gear train and motion works. The openworked spring barrel affords a glimpse of the mainspring beneath.
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Powering the timepiece is the self-winding movement – Girdard-Perregaux’s Calibre GP01800-2085, an updated version of the existing Calibre GP01800. Elements of the movement are crafted from lightweight, durable and corrosion-resistant silicium, and have been designed with optimum shock resistance in mind.
Bringing the entire piece together, a 44 mm stainless steel case features a blend of polished and satin finishes, while a fabric-effect black rubber strap gives a robust feel.
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The Gerard-Perregaux Free Bridge Meteorite will launch globally in March 2024 with a recommended price of $25,700.
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