Girard-Perregaux Debuts Restricted-Version Quasar Mild Tourbillon Watch With A Case Made From A Single Sapphire Disk

Sapphire-cased timepieces have turn into a brand new materials frontier in high-end watchmaking over the previous a number of years, appearing as a 360 diploma showcase for extremely adorned or advanced actions. The newest model to throw its hat within the ring on this ongoing materials arms race is Girard-Perregaux, which has taken using sapphire a step past the norm with its new limited-edition Quasar Mild. The Quasar Mild options some really spectacular accoutrements, together with a full sapphire case created from a single disk of sapphire materials, a motion that appears to drift contained in the case due to distinctive sapphire bridges, and a tourbillon at 6 o’clock.

It’s the brilliance of the 46mm all-sapphire case that provides the Girard-Perregaux Quasar Mild its unorthodox title, referencing the brightest celestial objects within the identified universe. The title just isn’t with out benefit, because the 200 hour manufacturing course of wanted to create and end the principle case physique from a single piece of sapphire includes 3 times the usual quantity of fabric and a painstaking quantity of sprucing to make sure readability and brilliance in keeping with the model. Even the crown is reduce from its personal piece of sapphire, faceted to maintain the normal coin edge in a course of that will need to have been immensely troublesome. Any actual criticism of the case design right here comes off as nitpicking: at 46mm-wide and 15.25 mm-thick, it’s not precisely petite on the wrist, and offers solely 30 meters of water resistance. That stated, who will ever attempt to disguise this underneath a shirt cuff or take this wherever close to water? The factors are roughly moot.

And not using a dial in any respect, the manufacture GP09400-1128 skeleton computerized tourbillon motion is allowed to dominate the view. Whereas a set of white gold dauphine arms together with a small seconds indicator on the tourbillon at 6 o’clock are offered, every little thing else is given over to an exquisitely completed motion. Whereas a metallic ring on the skin grounds the complete construction, many of the main components from the tourbillon to the central arms float in midair, suspended by a collection of sapphire bridges in Girard-Perregaux’s signature arrow form. The ending and artistry on show is frankly astonishing, significantly on the distinctive textured ruthenium barrel at 12 o’clock. This sensible materials and the large variety of sides assist the Quasar Mild to throw even additional reflections. The GP09400-1100 is greater than a fairly face, boasting a good 60 hour energy reserve.

Girard-Perregaux matches the Quasar Mild with an appropriately light-catching strap, made from a silver lame material. A further black alligator leather-based strap can be offered for a barely extra conventional look. Each straps are mounted with a butterfly model clasp in white gold.

As a bit of pure horological paintings, it’s troublesome to search out fault with the Girard-Perregaux Quasar Mild. The general package deal, whereas giant and undoubtedly delicate, is stunningly engineered and completed and units itself aside kind earlier sapphire-cased choices. Solely 18 examples of the Quasar Mild shall be made, at a retail value of $294,000. For extra data, please go to the model’s web site.