Girard-Perregaux

Girard-Perregaux, founded in 1791, is one of Switzerland’s oldest and most esteemed watchmaking houses. The brand was established by Jean-François Bautte in Geneva, who was known for his remarkable skill in creating ultra-thin watches. In 1852, Constantin Girard married Marie Perregaux, leading to the unification of their names and the creation of the brand as it is known today.

A milestone in Girard-Perregaux’s history came in 1889, when the company won a gold medal at the Universal Exhibition in Paris for their “Three Gold Bridges” pocket watch, an intricate and innovative timepiece that featured a tourbillon movement. This design continues to inspire the brand’s modern creations.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Girard-Perregaux also garnered attention for their military timepieces. Notably, they and produced wristwatches for German naval officers in the 1880s, one of the early examples of wristwatch use in military contexts. The company also played a significant role in standardizing watch precision.

The 1960s were a pivotal era for Girard-Perregaux, marked by their groundbreaking work in quartz technology. In 1966, they introduced the Gyromatic HF, which operated at a frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour, setting new standards in chronometry. Their development of the quartz movement, particularly the 32,768 Hz frequency standard, set the benchmark for the quartz watch industry and is still in use today.

Girard-Perregaux continued to innovate in the following decades, mastering both the art of traditional watchmaking and cutting-edge technology. In 1991, to celebrate their bicentennial, they introduced the Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges in a wristwatch format, redefining the brand's heritage art in a modern context.

Today, Girard-Perregaux remains a symbol of horological excellence, blending a high level of craftsmanship, innovation, and a deep respect for tradition. Their timepieces are cherished by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.