Manufacturer: Girard-Perregaux Year: Circa 2000s Reference No: 9700 Movement No: No. 3 Case No: No. 3 Model Name: Tourbillon sous trois Ponts d’or Material: 18K pink gold Calibre: Manual, cal. T3P Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Girard-Perregaux deployant clasp Dimensions: 31mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
Catalogue Essay
- When the name Girard-Perregaux appears, most collectors would almost immediately picture a wristwatch with “Three Golden Bridges”. Holding a special place in the history of watchmaking, a watch with three bridges with a tourbillon won the chronometry prize at the Neuchâtel Observatory in 1867.
- Since then, the iconic three bridges became the staple for Girard-Perregaux. Though most may think that the bridges were implemented for aesthetical purposes, it is believed that the design and construction of the three bridges were implemented to ensure a higher level of accuracy for the tourbillon.
- Fast forward to the 20th century, the “Three Golden Bridges” remain as an iconic trait in Girard-Perregaux timepieces often proudly displayed and implemented in the movement. The present ref. 9700 in 31mm diameter is a rare and charming example of the monumental featuring a pink gold case.
- With a semi-skeletonized guilloché dial, the three bridges securing the barrel, hands and tourbillon escapement is with no doubt a pleasing sight to behold enabling a perfectly symmetrical layout of the dial and movement architecture.
- Numbered 3 on both the movement and caseback, the present example from circa 2000s is presented in attractive overall condition.