News 
One hundred and twenty-five years ago, on 29 September 1889, the jury at the Paris Universal Exhibition awarded a gold medal to Girard-Perregaux for an exceptional timepiece which became one of the most remarkable watchmaking icons of any time and any maker: «La Esmeralda».
Its movement, a «Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges» with a long, pivoted detent escapement, is housed in a heavy rose-gold case engraved by Fritz Kundert. Its history: an extraordinary adventure! After the exhibition it was placed in the hands of the famous watch and jewellery retailer Hauser, Ziwy & Co, which was well-established in Paris and Mexico under the brand name «La Esmeralda». Indeed this is why the timepiece is so called. It was later acquired by General Porfirio Diaz, then president of Mexico, and reappeared only in 1970 when a co-owner of Girard-Perregaux was contacted by one of the general’s heirs and offered the timepiece. A deal was struck and «La Esmeralda» joined the collections of the Girard-Perregaux Museum, whose centrepiece it undoubtedly is.
Today, this timepiece remains an endless source of fascination. Why three bridges in the shape of arrows? What do they symbolise? As for inspiration, 125 years later the brand’s contemporary prestige watch collection now more than ever features Tourbillons with Three Bridges, from the most classic to the most innovative.
October 16, 2014