Girard-Perregaux Tourbillon Bi-Axial Ti-DLC

Girard-Perregaux is of course known for its famous Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges that is available in many variations. Another GP tourbillon watch that I think is even more beautiful, however more rare, is the Tourbillon Bi-Axial. Here’s the newest variation in DLC coated titanium. 

The Girard-Perregaux Tourbillon Bi-Axial Titanium DLC is its full name and it features a tourbillon that rotates around two axis. When you consider that a tourbillon was developed for a pocket watch, a tourbillon that rotates around more then one axis is much more logical for a wrist watch. And it’s a gorgeous feast for the eye!

The Tourbillon Bi-Axial comes in a hefty 45 mm large case, that measures 18.5 mm in height. The case is made of titanium that is DLC coated. The combination of the black coated main plate together with the black DLC coated case, creates an impressive and über-complicated tourbillon watch. Although we now only get to see the computer renderings, they already show that the lugs and bezel have a brushed finish, before it was DLC coated, giving the case a matte black look.

The tourbillon comprises of an internal and an external cage. The balance wheel with balance spring rotate inside the internal cage in 45 seconds. That internal cage rotates in an external cage and this cage makes one full rotation in one minute and fifteen seconds. Because both cage make a full rotation each in its own time, the entire tourbillon makes one full rotation in three minutes and forty-five seconds.

Compared to the Tourbillon Three Gold Bridges, this one has just two gold bridges. Although… Mike Margolis (big boss of GP in the USA) pointed out that the third gold bridge is actually in front of the tourbillon assembly. It’s a small thrird gold bridge, bit it has exactly the same shape. Love those details! The upper bridge holds the main spring barrel in place and the central bridge holds the hour and minute hand in place. Because the tourbillon rotates around two axis, a third bridge to hold the tourbillon in place isn’t possible. This tourbillon with two (or two and a half) gold bridges is much more complicated then the tourbillon with three gold bridges.

This is the third version of Girard-Perregaux’s Tourbillon Bi-Axial. The pink gold version, that was limited to 33 pieces, is not available anymore according to the GP website. In 2010 Girard-Perregaux released another version, this time in white gold and also limited to 33 pieces. There was no word on the price, however the pink gold version had a price of € 377.500,00 Euro including taxes, so you might expect a similar price range.

The white gold version (below, left) features two pink gold bridges, similar to the pink gold version. The new titanium DLC version features 18 carat white gold bridges.

The two tourbillon cages comprise of 110 components and weight just 0.80 grams! The new GP Tourbillon Bi-Axial Titanium DLC is limited to 8 pieces.

– Girard-Perregaux Tourbillon Bi-Axial – Specifications –

Case

• Titanium case with DLC coating
• Diameter: 45 mm
• Height: 18.50 mm
• Sapphire crystal
• Sapphire case-back secured by 6 screws
• Water resistance: 30 meters

Movement

• Girard-Perregaux GPE0201, mechanical with manual winding
• Dimensions: 15 ^1/3 lignes (34mm fitting diameter)
• Frequency: 21,600 vibrations/hour (3 Hz)
• Tourbillon: 113 components, 0.80 grams, one complete revolution in 3 minutes and 45 seconds
• Variable inertia balance fitted with gold adjustment screws
• Balance spring: Phillips curve; Geneva Stud
• Jewels: 28
• 18k gold barrel bridges and central bridge
• Power reserve: min. 72 hours, two coaxial barrels
• Functions: Bi-axial Tourbillon, hour, minute

Limited edition of 8 pieces

Visit the Girard-Perregaux website for more information about the watch and its availability.

This article is written by Frank Geelen, executive editor for Monochrome Watches.