Girard-Perregaux brings its most iconic horological innovation ? the tourbillon with three gold bridges, first used in a pocketwatch in 1867 ? into a resolutely contemporary, 21st century evolution in a new wristwatch called Free Bridge, and its limited-edition, gold-detailed sibling, the Free Bridge Infinity. The latest members of the Swiss manufacture’s Bridges family, whose models take inspiration from the 19th-century Three Bridges design, made their debut at Geneva Watch Days this week.

Girard-Perregaux Free Bridge (Ref. 82000-11-631-FA6A).

Following the design codes of its predecessor in the family, the Neo Bridges, the Free Bridge is notable for the arrow-shaped, architecturally designed bridge that spans the base of the mainplate, which also serves as the dial. Under a newly designed, box-type, domed sapphire crystal, the dial offers a large opening in the middle that offers dial-side views of many essential components. Among these are the large, variable inertia balance (a type more stable and less susceptible to shocks) and the escapement, both of which are constructed in silicon, a material used increasingly (but still relatively rarely) in the watchmaking world for its resistance to corrosion, temperature variations, and magnetism ? all of which contribute to less friction and thus less wear and tear on the vital movement components.
Girard-Perregaux Free Bridge Infinity (Ref. 82000-11-632-FA6A).

Girard-Perregaux’s in-house, automatic Ca...