Both these brands demonstrate a passion for refined craftsmanship. Their recent collaboration just bore fruit with the release of their first watch: the Tourbillon with Three Flying Bridges – Aston Martin Edition.
The Three Bridges hold a special place in the history of the watchmaker, as does the tourbillon. In 1867, a watch with three bridges and a tourbillon won a prize for chronometry at the Neuchâtel Observatory. It was a very distinctive design and has been a “trademark design” of the brand ever since.
The beauty of this design lies not only on its unique appearance, but also on the fact that it is able to show parts of the movement that are not normally visible on other skeleton watches. For instance, the barrel, positioned at 12 o’clock, is open worked, affording a partial view of the mainspring, the metal spring or ribbon that stores the power for mechanical watches. A white gold micro-rotor, positioned beneath the barrel, winds the mainspring. The car company’s name is engraved on the vertical flank of the micro-rotor and is filled with white luminescent treatment which appears blue in lower light conditions. The hands and indexes are treated with the same material, emitting a blue glow in dim light.
The cage of the tourbillon is positioned at the lower portion of the dial. A blued hand affixed to the cage displays the running seconds. The tourbillon cage measures a mere 10 mm in diameter, is composed of 79 components, and weighs only 0.25 grams.
Three bridges span dial and are formed of titanium with black PVD treatment and polished angles. The design endows the timepiece with an airy appearance, affording breathtaking views of the components that appear to “levitate” within the case. The 44-millimeter case is formed of Grade 5 titanium, a strong, hypoallergenic alloy selected by Aston Martin for its lightweight properties. It is suffused with black DLC, bestowing the watch with a stealthy appearance.
The strap is presented in black calf leather and features a Rubber Alloy, an innovative rubber insert injected with white gold – a world premiere. The design of the strap is intended to evoke thoughts of Aston Martin racing cars of the past.
Patrick Pruniaux, CEO of Girard-Perregaux, said: “We are delighted to partner with Aston Martin, entrusting their team with arguably our most iconic timepiece, delivering a fresh perspective on Haute Horlgerie. Rarely do we work with others to reinterpret the Three Bridges, however, on this occasion, we have made an exception, mindful of Aston Martin’s prowess for design. This latest partnership provides a fascinating chapter in Girard-Perregauxs 230-year history.”
The Tourbillon with Three Flying Bridges – Aston Martin Edition is limited to only 18 pieces.
