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Lot Essay
With Girard-Perregaux fitted wooden presentation box and République et Canton de Neuchâtel Observatoire Astronomique et Chronométrique Certificat d'Epreuves dated 22 October 2014, confirming that chronometer no. 80648 has participated at a chronometer trial in 1876.
According to the Archives of Girard-Perregaux, the present tourbillon chronometer was made in 1876 and awarded a third prize at the Neuchâtel Observatory contest of the same year. It had been prepared and adjusted by the precision adjuster J. Jacot.
The present high precision watch is a fine example of one of Girard-Perregaux's tourbillon chronometers, a specialty in which the manufacturer has been foremost since the introduction of their legendary three bridge tourbillon in 1867. Its tourbillon carriage was conceived by the celebrated watchmaker Ernest Guinand and finished by Girard-Perregaux's highly skilled watchmakers in their workshops.
Ernest Guinand (c1810-1879) was an important master watchmaker from Le Locle, who, together with the famous Auguste Grether, specialized in the production of tourbillon carriages.
According to the records of the Neuchâtel Observatory, Guinand's first tourbillons were made between 1865 and 1867. Many of them were tested at the Observatory, amongst which two were awarded the second and third prizes in the 1879 contest, Category C for pocket chronometers featuring bascule (lever) escapements.
Although his carriages were often not signed, they are easily identified by their distinctive A-shaped frames (see Reinhard Meis Das Tourbillon, p. 43, Z44 "Guinand 1"). They were mostly fitted with pivoted detent escapements, such as the present watch, some with lever escapements.
Guinand supplied his tourbillons to renowned watchmakers including Girard-Perregaux and Montandon but was supposedly also commissioned by Patek Philippe with the design of their first tourbillon regulator in 1864.
According to the Archives of Girard-Perregaux, the present tourbillon chronometer was made in 1876 and awarded a third prize at the Neuchâtel Observatory contest of the same year. It had been prepared and adjusted by the precision adjuster J. Jacot.
The present high precision watch is a fine example of one of Girard-Perregaux's tourbillon chronometers, a specialty in which the manufacturer has been foremost since the introduction of their legendary three bridge tourbillon in 1867. Its tourbillon carriage was conceived by the celebrated watchmaker Ernest Guinand and finished by Girard-Perregaux's highly skilled watchmakers in their workshops.
Ernest Guinand (c1810-1879) was an important master watchmaker from Le Locle, who, together with the famous Auguste Grether, specialized in the production of tourbillon carriages.
According to the records of the Neuchâtel Observatory, Guinand's first tourbillons were made between 1865 and 1867. Many of them were tested at the Observatory, amongst which two were awarded the second and third prizes in the 1879 contest, Category C for pocket chronometers featuring bascule (lever) escapements.
Although his carriages were often not signed, they are easily identified by their distinctive A-shaped frames (see Reinhard Meis Das Tourbillon, p. 43, Z44 "Guinand 1"). They were mostly fitted with pivoted detent escapements, such as the present watch, some with lever escapements.
Guinand supplied his tourbillons to renowned watchmakers including Girard-Perregaux and Montandon but was supposedly also commissioned by Patek Philippe with the design of their first tourbillon regulator in 1864.