Girard-Perregaux is one of watchmaking's great enigmas: a manufacture with over 230 years of history, extraordinary technical achievements, and the iconic Three Bridges design—yet perpetually overshadowed by more famous names. For those who know, GP represents one of the finest values in haute horlogerie.
Origins in Geneva (1791)
Jean-François Bautte established a watch workshop in Geneva in 1791, producing elegant thin watches for European aristocracy. Bautte pioneered the concept of integrated manufacture—producing complete watches rather than assembling components from various suppliers.
After Bautte's death, the company passed through several hands until Constant Girard and his wife Marie Perregaux established Girard-Perregaux in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1856.
The Three Bridges Tourbillon (1867)
Constant Girard's masterpiece arrived in 1867: the Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges. Instead of hiding the movement under a solid plate, Girard mounted the mechanism on three parallel arrow-shaped bridges in pink gold. The design was both technically functional and aesthetically revolutionary.
The watch won gold medals at the Paris Universal Exhibition (1867) and remained in the GP collection for over 150 years. The Three Bridges became the brand's emblem—instantly recognizable and frequently reinterpreted.
Three Bridges Evolution: From the original 1867 pocket watch to the modern Tourbillon with Three Bridges, this design has been reimagined in skeleton form, with sapphire bridges, in titanium, and even with the Neo Bridges featuring a more contemporary aesthetic. Each variation honors Constant Girard's original vision.
Wristwatches for the German Navy (1880)
In 1880, Kaiser Wilhelm I ordered 2,000 wristwatches from Girard-Perregaux for German naval officers. This represented one of the first large-scale orders for wristwatches in history—at a time when wristwatches were considered jewelry for women. The order established GP's reputation for producing timepieces capable of military service.
The First Quartz Wristwatch (1969)
While Seiko often receives credit for commercializing quartz, Girard-Perregaux developed the first quartz wristwatch to operate at the now-standard 32,768 Hz frequency. This frequency became the industry standard for all subsequent quartz watches.
The 1969 prototype was refined into production models by 1971. Though the quartz crisis ultimately devastated Swiss mechanical watchmaking, GP's contribution to quartz technology demonstrated its technical capability across all forms of timekeeping.
The Laureato (1975)
Girard-Perregaux entered the luxury sports watch category in 1975 with the Laureato—a steel watch with integrated bracelet, octagonal bezel, and Clous de Paris (hobnail) dial pattern. It competed directly with the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus.
After decades of varying prominence, the Laureato was relaunched in 2016 and has become GP's most successful modern collection—a versatile sports-elegant watch at a more accessible price point than its prestigious competitors.
Jean-François Bautte establishes workshop in Geneva
Constant Girard and Marie Perregaux formalize company
Three Gold Bridges Tourbillon debuts at Paris Exhibition
2,000 wristwatches delivered to German Navy
First quartz movement at 32,768 Hz developed
Laureato sports watch launched
Joins Kering luxury group
Manufacture Status
Girard-Perregaux is one of the few true manufactures, producing movements entirely in-house in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Over 100 calibres have been developed, including:
• GP09400: In-house automatic with 54-hour power reserve
• GP01800: Minute repeater with cathedral gongs
• Constant Escapement: Revolutionary constant-force mechanism (2013)
• Three Bridges calibres: Multiple tourbillon variations
The Constant Escapement (2013)
In 2013, GP introduced the Constant Escapement—a mechanism that delivers constant force to the balance wheel throughout the entire power reserve. Traditional watches lose amplitude as the mainspring unwinds; the Constant Escapement eliminates this variation. It represented one of the most significant horological innovations in decades.
Today's Girard-Perregaux
Under Kering ownership since 2022 (sharing a group with Gucci and other luxury brands), GP produces approximately 10,000 watches annually. Collections include the sporty Laureato, the classical 1966, the technical Bridges family, and high complications.
For collectors seeking manufacture-level watchmaking without the premium of more famous names, Girard-Perregaux offers extraordinary value. The brand's relative obscurity outside collector circles translates to more watch for the money—a secret the cognoscenti have long appreciated.