As synonymous with bridges as the River Kwai, Girard-Perregaux has turned a structural necessity into their horological signature, right down to the golden bridge that makes up their logo. So when there’s a new release in that particular collection, we sit up and take notice – and the Free Bridge does not disappoint.
The classic three golden bridges this is not. It’s a distinctly contemporary reinterpretation of Girard-Perregaux’s bridge-based obsession, opting for an sleek, open dial dominated by matte black metalwork either side, complete with visible screws. The central hour and minute hands (no seconds here) are supported by a faceted black bridge that catches the light nicely.
At 6 o’clock is Girard-Perregaux’s Neo Bridge, a newer take on the watchmaker’s arrow-shaped bridges of the past, while the indexes around the edge are suspended over the dial. The end result is one of the most visually-dynamic GPs we’ve seen for a while (well, that’s not made of sapphire) and a good deal more forward-thinking than most.
Inside the 44mm stainless steel case is the automatic GP01800-1170 calibre – manufacture of course, all GP movements are – which uses a generous dose of silicon throughout the balance and a solid 54-hour power reserve. More intriguingly, the whole thing’s been blacked out to really hammer home the contemporary angle GP’s going for.
Despite being a new 2020 release, the Free Bridge is already available in two versions. The first is the standard, non-limited, new collection piece; the other is part of Girard-Perregaux’s range-spanning Infinity Collection, defined by the various watches’ onyx dials and rose gold bridges.
In the Free Bridge Infinity Edition, the rose gold bridge is joined by gold indexes, with those big bars of brushed metal flanking the dial being replaced with onyx for a deeper, darker colour. The gold touches though make it feel a bit more classically GP.
I personally prefer the standard edition, but if you like the mix of glossy rock and gold, the Free Bridge Infinity Edition is limited to a relatively generous 88 pieces for CHF 20,900 as opposed to the standard model’s competitive CHF 17,500.
Price & Specs:
Model Name: Girard Perregaux Free Bridge
Ref: 82000-11-632-FA6A (Free Bridge)
82000-11-632-FA6A (Free Bridge Infinity Edition)
Case/Dial: 44mm diameter x 12.2mm height, DLC treated steel
Water Resistance: 30m (3 bar)
Movement: Calibre GP01800-1170, in-house automatic
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Power Reserve: 54h
Functions: Hours, minutes
Strap: Alligator leather
Price: CHF 16,250 (Free Bridge) and CHF 19,410 (Free Bridge Infinity Edition), Infinity Edition limited to 88 pieces
More details at Girard Perregaux.
