Neo Constant Escapement
In 2013, Girard-Perregaux released the Constant Escapement L.M. to critical acclaim and won the ‘Aiguille D’Or’ at the GPHG (Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève) in the same year. The model included a constant force escapement, a mechanism that delivered remarkable rate stability irrespective of the available energy.
The Neo Constant Escapement is the latest evolution of the Maison’s groundbreaking approach to master energy, incorporating an array of aesthetic and technical advancements. While it took 250 years to develop the Swiss lever escapement, Girard-Perregaux perfected its Constant Escapement in just 20 years, a testament to its inventive spirit. Moreover, this new timepiece upholds Constant Girard’s original idea of showcasing the beauty of functional elements, but expressed in a contemporary way.
A new expression of fine watchmaking
The Neo Constant Escapement wholeheartedly embraces avant-garde styling, forgoing a conventional dial in order to reveal an array of components usually hidden from view. On one hand, this latest addition to the Bridges collection is ultra-modern while on the other hand it is inspired by a prize-wining pocket watch created by Constant Girard in 1867. This won a first-class prize at the Neuchâtel Observatory in the same year and its precision remained unequalled for 17 years. Moreover, this watch, subsequently housed in gold, won a gold medal at the Universal exhibition in Paris. Constant’s pocket watch famously transformed three bridges from being merely functional components into artistic elements, a design philosophy that has also been applied to the Neo Constant Escapement.
Building on the success of the Constant Escapement L.M
After several years of research, Girard-Perregaux unveiled a concept watch in 2008 that incorporated a unique silicium blade. This know-how was perfected over the years and a production version of the watch, the Constant Escapement L.M., was released in 2013. It won the prestigious prize ‘Aiguille D’Or’ at the GPHG (Grand Prix d’Horologerie de Genève) in the same year.
The Neo Constant Escapement is an evolution of this former model, incorporating several new technologies. Indeed, 30% of the patents employed on this latest model, 13 in total, are new. The new movement features fewer components than the 2013 model (266 compared with 280 parts previously), a clear example of optimisation over complexity.
Constant force
A problem that afflicts most watches is that when fully wound the force from the spring barrel, ultimately serving the regulating organ, is excessive. This potentially impairs precision and can cause harm to the movement. Conversely, as the energy within the barrel diminishes, prior to the point of total exhaustion, the regulating organ receives insufficient force that again impairs precision.
The Constant Escapement addresses such problems, providing a uniform supply of force to the regulating organ and, by default, extraordinary rate stability. Moreover, the watch is a certified chronometer (COSC), providing independent assurance of its timekeeping prowess. This is reminiscent of when the Manufacture submitted its pocket watches for chronometer testing in the 1860s and won the Neuchâtel Observatory Centenary Prize.
Product highlights
The Neo Constant Escapement proffers an array of features and attributes:
- The escapement, the mechanism that controls the flow of time, is a unique design based on the elastic and bi-stable properties of a buckling silicium blade. This component delivers a linear supply of force to the balance irrespective of the available energy within the twin barrels.
- The silicium escapement spring, with an ultra-fine buckling blade at its centre, is made in a laboratory setting using a technique called ‘photolithography’. This elaborate process has allowed Girard-Perregaux to create intricately shaped components not achievable using traditional milling or stamping techniques. In this instance, Girard-Perregaux has exploited the high elasticity of silicium, the only material that allows the blade to repeatedly buckle and, in so doing, serve the balance with a constant force.
- The escapement spring is 120 microns thick, while the blade is a mere 14 microns wide. By comparison, a human hair is typically 50 – 90 microns in thickness.
- The ultra-fine silicium blade buckles back and forth, serving the regulating organ with a uniform pulse of energy. The silicium escape spring, with its buckling blade positioned centre stage, is formed of a single piece of silicium. Beyond its functional role, this component is instantly recognisable and its symmetrical appearance resonates with Girard-Perregaux, a Maison synonymous with the Laureato’s octagonal shaped bezel and the legendary Bridges.
- The Neo Constant Escapement is a certified chronometer (COSC).
- The movement, the Calibre GP09200, has a linear power supply of at least 7 days, courtesy of twin barrels.
- The model is housed in a 45mm case formed of Grade 5 titanium.
- The dial sits beneath a sapphire crystal ‘box’, a feature that invites light to flood the display while granting lateral views of various dial elements.
- Skeletonised dauphine-style hour and minute hands, featuring rhodium treatment, articulate the prevailing time and, courtesy of luminescent material, remain visible in restricted light.
- A black track, positioned on the flange, is endowed with white markings and incorporates prominent, luminescent hour markers that arc outwards, seemingly floating above the main dial area.
- The Neo Constant Escapement is fitted with a fabric effect rubber strap secured with a titanium triple folding buckle incorporating a micro adjustment system, allowing the wearer to fine-tune the strap for the optimum wrist fit.
The relentless quest for advancement
The Neo Constant Escapement incorporates numerous examples of the Maison’s inventive spirit, manifest with the model’s 13 patents. It incorporates fine materials, neoteric styling and ultra-refined finishing, inspired by Haute Horlogerie. The watch goes on sale in January 2024 and will be available worldwide in all authorised Girard-Perregaux retailers. However, by virtue of its protracted creation, the Neo Constant Escapement will be produced in limited quantities, conferring a notable degree of exclusivity.
Additional information
A separate technical bulletin is available which provides more detailed information relating to the Neo Constant Escapement encompassing its inspiration, constant force mechanisms, the manufacturing of the silicon blade and further discussion about the design of the watch.
Technical specification
Neo Constant Escapement
Reference: 93510-21-1930-5CX
Suggested Retail Prices: GBP 84’700 /CHF 95’000 / USD 99’600 / EUR 105’000
Case
Material: titanium
Diameter: 45.00 mm
Height: 14.80 mm
Glass: sapphire anti-reflective ‘box’
Case-back: sapphire crystal
Dial: ring displaying suspended indexes with luminescent material (blue emission)
Hands: skeletonized, rhodium-plated, ’dauphine’ type with luminescent material (blue emission)
Water resistance: 30 meters (3 ATM)
Movement
Reference: GP09200-1153
Hand-wound mechanical movement
COSC-certified Chronometer
Diameter: 39.50 mm (171/2’’’)
Height: 7.40 mm
Frequency: 21,600 Vib/h – (3 Hz)
Number of components: 266
Number of jewels: 29
Power reserve: min. 7 days
Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds, power reserve indicator
Strap
Material: black rubber strap with fabric effect
Buckle: titanium triple folding buckle with micro-adjustment system
About Girard-Perregaux
Since 1791, Girard-Perregaux has been embracing the rhythm of ever-elusive time. Cradled in the Jura mountains in the heart of La Chaux-de-Fonds, it is a pioneer in the world of Haute Horlogerie: an independent Manufacture which has retained this status for over two centuries, successfully keeping all production in-house and passing down exceptional horological skills throughout the generations. The preservation of this savoir-faire, along with a sincere passion for beauty and for the art itself, has remained the key to Girard-Perregaux’s ability to continuously innovate.
Always seeking the perfect balance of beauty and functionality, fans of fine watchmaking will instantly recognise the house signatures, such as the iconic octagonal bezel of the Laureato and the legendary Tourbillon with ‘Three Gold Bridges’. From seeking to create industry references in timepieces to making the invisible visible through the art of precision engineering, Girard-Perregaux never ceases to change the course of time via pieces that are the first of their kind. This place at the vanguard of horological innovation is solidified by over one hundred recorded patents for original designs, like the movement of three arrow-shaped bridges, registered in the USA in 1884, as well as prizes like the ’Aiguille d’Or’ in 2013 and distinctions like the Gold Medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1889.
Rooted in its heritage, Girard-Perregaux is driven by the instinct to always look ahead, embracing new technologies, utilising state-of-the-art materials, and finding inventive ways to bring joy by reimagining iconic shapes. To this end, Girard-Perregaux has remained a human-sized Manufacture, and in 2022 became part of an independent collective of Haute Horlogerie Manufactures alongside sister Maison Ulysse Nardin.
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