Girard Perregaux

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Girard-Perregaux is a Swiss fine watchmaker that dates back to 1791. Talented watchmaker Jean-François Bautte gained fame for his extra-flat watches and founded a watchmaking firm in Geneva, bringing together all the watchmaking trades of the day together under the same roof – a major first.

In 1852, Constant Girard founded Girard & Cie. Two years later, he married Marie Perregaux; following this marriage, the Girard-Perregaux Manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds was established in 1856.

Eleven years later, Constant Girard-Perregaux presented the legendary Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges, winning a prize at the Universal Exhibition in Paris.

As it stepped undaunted into the twentieth century, Girard-Perregaux was one of the few manufactures to have an R&D team. This department enabled the brand to develop a number of revolutionary movements, as well as draw up the specifications for the quartz watch.

In 1966, Girard-Perregaux introduced the first high frequency movement (36,000 vibrations per hour). Watches fitted with this movement boast excellent performance. In 1967, 70 percent of chronometer certificates issued by the Neuchâtel Observatory went to High Frequency Chronometers.

The Constant Escapement – a complete technical revolution – was unveiled in 2013. Five years’ worth of research and development were necessary to achieve this significant breakthrough in watchmaking history. Although its name is a nod to one of the Firm’s historical figures, Constant Girard-Perregaux, first and foremost it refers to an almost mythical concept in mechanical watchmaking that has mesmerized designers since time immemorial: constant force. Girard-Perregaux has taken up the challenge of mastering this using a groundbreaking approach.

The Kering Group has held a majority stake in Girard-Perregaux since 2011.

Ever since 1791, Girard-Perregaux has been pursuing its course in the best tradition of Fine Watchmaking. The Maison’s history has been characterized by legendary timepieces that combine cutting-edge design with innovative technology.

The firm is completely focused on exceptional haute horlogerie design, and is one of just a few to bring together all the trades to design and produce its movements in one place. With over 80 patents, Girard-Perregaux is fully dedicated to research and development, ensuring that its unique heritage remains an ongoing part of modern watchmaking.

Faithful to its tradition of excellence, Girard-Perregaux seeks to pass on this legacy; it is actively committed to handing down its watchmaking heritage to emerging talent.

The collection of Girard Perregaux is available at Jeweler Harry Tromp in Amsterdam