Girard-Perregaux makes its haute horlogerie quite clear, and adds retrogrades to its hit Cat's Eye for ladies B Y   E L I Z A B E T H   D O E R R       Girard-Perregaux predominately defines itself by two main elements: the three golden bridges spanning the company's striking tourbillons and the sporty Laureato collection, recently revamped. In 1998, Girard-Perregaux presented its first Tourbillon Laureato, a model that blended the highest complication in haute horlogerie – and one that this company is especially known for – with the modern look of the Laureato. This union successfully illustrated that the three-bridge construction of Girard-Perregaux's tourbillon was robust enough to make its rounds in a sporty timepiece. Joining the modern-day search for new materials in high-tech movements, Girard-Perregaux is currently introducing a new version of this union that features the result of recent research and development: the Laureato EVO3 Tourbillon with three sapphire bridges.   The Laureato EVO3 Tourbillon features three sapphire bridges covering the whirlwind.   After diamond, corundum – or sapphire, as it is otherwise known – is the hardest substance there is. It is hard, but brittle. Therefore, it will not scratch, but it can break when pressured the wrong way. Thus, crafting bridges for use in a watch movement is a delicate business, never mind the minute tolerances that need to be maintained throughout this process.

JUNE 2006INTERNATIONAL WATCH » to Page: 1  |  2  |  3  |  4