Girard-Perregaux unveils a new addition to its famous Bridges Collection. Incorporating two meteorite plates, the Girard-Perregaux Free Bridge Meteorite unites avant-garde design with cutting-edge materials. Skeletonized, dauphine-style hour and minute hands sit atop a bridge that straddles various wheels belonging to the gear train and motion works. It is a design approach that is also manifest with the open-worked mainspring barrel, located below the 12 o’clock position, that affords views of the mainspring in various states of tension.

The suspended indexes are positioned on a flange and project over the surfaces below, again serving to reinforce the model’s distinctive three-dimensional styling. The 44 mm stainless steel case is endowed with a tasteful blend of polished and satin-finished surfaces, while the crown is enriched with a blend of polished and sandblasted facets.

As its name implies, the watch incorporates fragments from the Gibeon meteorite discovered in Namibia. The Gibeon meteorite is composed of an iron-nickel alloy, incorporating small amounts of cobalt and phosphorous. The meteorite features naturally occurring flow lines termed the Widmanstätten pattern. This endows the fragments with their own identity, making each watch unique and rare. The central bridge of the watch features a marquetry of wo meteorite plates, each retained with two gleaming screws.

Everything begins with the slicing of the Gibeon meteorite. Thereafter, the slices are machined into the desired shape and pierced with two holes to accommodate the aforementioned screws. Subsequently, each plate is treated to accentuate the Widmanstätten pattern, a process that has to be carefully mastered to avoid eroding too much of the material. Finally, the plates are rhodium-plated, providing a protective layer that prevents the iron-rich meteorite from corroding.

Consistent with its avant-garde design, the Free Bridge Meteorite is powered by the automatic movement, Calibre GP01800-2085. An evolution of the existing Calibre GP01800, this latest iteration features up-to-the-minute know-how. The escape wheel, pallet lever and the arms of the elaborately shaped balance wheel are formed of silicium, a lightweight material that is not liable to corrosion. Made within a laboratory setting, free of dust, silicium components can be formed into intricate shapes not possible using traditional milling or stamping techniques. This freedom to create intricate shapes means that the geometry of components can be optimized. Silicium has a low coefficient of friction, mitigating wear and thereby augmenting durability. Moreover, silicium is unaffected by changing temperatures and is less susceptible to magnetic fields when compared with traditional materials.

Unquestionably modern, the Free Bridge Meteorite incorporates several traditional materials synonymous with fine watchmaking. Movement components are embellished with classical Côtes de Genève, bevelling and snailing as well as sandblasted finishes. Consistent with all Girard-Perregaux Manufacture movements, the Calibre GP01800-2085 is also engraved with the Eagle emblem. This 23-jewel automatic movement provides a power reserve of 54 hours while beating at a frequency of 28,800 vhp.