A stunning timepiece with exposed balance wheel on the dial side is the new Girard-Perregaux Neo Bridges ref. 84000-21-001-BB6A. This new timepiece faithful to the DNA of its manufacture is equipped with a generous 45 mm case in titanium and is as modern looking as it gets. However, it is hard to not confuse the looks of the Neo Bridges with an Arnold & Son or an Angelus. With its movement playing an integral part of the design and the overall look of the watch, the new Girard-Perregaux Neo Bridges priced at $24,000 USD is a very forceful competitor to some of the creations from the Independent brands out there. In all honesty, this watch doesn't look like a Girard-Perregaux and that's a good thing, especially considering how the brand has struggled in terms of sales here in the U.S.
The Dial
Featuring no dial but only a grey ring with suspended indexes and dot minute track, the new Girard-Perregaux Neo Bridges features a black and grey color scheme with a multi-layer construction where the baseplate of the movement serves as the backdrop for the balance wheel located at 6 o'clock and the skeletonized hour and minute hands. Featuring a micro-rotor at 10 o'clock and a fully visible mainspring barrel at 2 o'clock, it is hard not to see some resemblance here between the Neo Bridges and the Arnold & Son TB88 —with all due respect to the latter. Regardless, the GP Neo Bridges is a great looking watch that is very modern and sporty at the same time.
With sandblasted PVD treated bridges, the Neo Bridges brings the best of Girard-Perregaux to the table sharing some of the design cues and color scheme of the Neo-Tourbillon and the exceptional Girard-Perregaux Constant Escapement L.M., the winner of the 2013 Grand Prix d' Horlogerie de Genève.
The Case & Strap
Equipped with a generous case measuring 45 mm in diameter, only 12.18 mm in thickness and with no bezel, the case is satin brushed finished throughout with the exception of the top of the lugs that are mirror polished. The watch features a slightly domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides and is delivered on a dark grey alligator strap with titanium triple folding clasp that is also satin brushed finished. Water resistant to 30 meters, the watch is fitted with a screwed display case back.
The Movement
Powering the new Girard-Perregaux Neo Bridges ref. 84000-21-001-BB6A is the automatic Girard-Perregaux in-house calibre GP-8400 composed of 208 parts and 29 jewels and which provides a power reserve of 48 hours while beating at a frequency of 21,600 vph. An exquisitely finished calibre with sandblasting and PVD treatment throughout that is a real treat for the eyes. With its micro-rotor at 10 o'clock visible from the dial side, the Neo Bridges holds the balance wheel on the dial side to echo the famous bridges traditionally holding the Girard-Perregaux's Tourbillons.
On the Wrist & Pricing
On the wrist, the new Girard-Perregaux Neo Bridges wears true to its size and extremely light. With a total weight of merely 66.8 grams this timepiece is light as a feather and stunning in the metal. Kudos to Girard-Perregaux for breaking the mold and for moving their watch designs in the right direction with compromising their rich horological history of more than 225 years. For the price, you really can't go wrong with this watch that features the look and finishes typically only present across the Independent watch brands.
Sticker Price $24,000 USD. For more info on Girard-Perregaux click here.
