Haute Complication: Girard-Perregaux Presents The New Neo Constant Escapement

In 2013, Girard-Perregaux wowed the horological world with the Constant Escapement L.M., a watch that clinched the prestigious ‘Aiguille D’Or’ award at the GPHG (Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève) in the same year. This timepiece featured a constant force escapement, a mechanism that delivered unparalleled rate stability regardless of the available energy.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Girard-Perregaux

Fast forward to today, and the Girard-Perregaux Neo Constant Escapement stands as the latest evolution of the Maison’s groundbreaking approach to mastering energy — a decade later. Unlike the 250 years it took to develop the Swiss lever escapement, Girard-Perregaux perfected its Constant Escapement in just two decades, a testament to its inventive spirit. This new watch continues to uphold Constant Girard’s original concept, showcasing the beauty of functional elements, albeit expressed in a contemporary manner.

For an even deeper dive into the history that is teeming throughout this timepiece: Constant Girard, a 19th-century watchmaker, dedicated his life to advancing chronometry. His creation of highly precise pocket watches equipped with tourbillon escapements earned him numerous accolades. In 1860, he designed a movement with three parallel bridges, and the resulting pocket watch, with nickel silver bridges, won accolades at the Neuchâtel Observatory. These bridges, executed in gold in 1889, gave birth to the iconic three-bridges design language that endures today. While Girard-Perregaux proudly honors this heritage, it also looks to the future. In 2014, the brand unveiled the Neo Bridge, featuring elaborately shaped forms made possible by advanced CNC machines. These sinuous bridges have since been presented individually or as a trio, showcasing the versatility and craftsmanship of Girard-Perregaux.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Girard-Perregaux

The Neo Constant Escapement is a revolutionary timepiece. Its name signifies both its contemporary nature and its rare ability to provide constant force to the regulating organ, while also being a tribute to Constant Girard. Within a watch movement, controlling the forces at play is crucial for accurate timekeeping and reliable operation. The tensioned mainspring, located in a spring barrel, powers various dial indications through a gear train, similar to an electrical transformer.

The unique challenge in watchmaking is maintaining a constant force as the mainspring unwinds. Most watches face a problem: excessive force when fully wound and diminishing force as the spring nears exhaustion. The Neo Constant Escapement addresses this issue with an ingenious silicium blade, ensuring the balance’s amplitude remains uniform, regardless of the mainspring’s energy. The idea for the silicium blade stemmed from a simple observation during a train journey. When a train ticket is flexed, it takes on an unstable ‘C’ shape, buckling under lateral pressure before snapping back. This dynamic behavior is the basis of the Constant Escapement. A silicium blade, six times thinner than a human hair, mimics this action to provide constant force to the balance.

Sigatec, a trusted partner of Girard-Perregaux, played a pivotal role in producing the ultra-fine silicium blade using DRIE (Deep Reactive Ion Etching) technology. The blade is an astounding 14 microns wide, requiring meticulous craftsmanship. The Neo Constant Escapement is unlike any other watch, yet it shares DNA with Girard-Perregaux’s contemporary Bridges collection. The watch features a striking openworked dial beneath a sapphire crystal ‘box,’ allowing light to illuminate the dial and revealing various elements.

The dial showcases skeletonized dauphine-style hands with luminescent material for legibility in low light. A linear power reserve indicator, a central sweep seconds hand, and luminescent hour markers on the flange complete the dial. Encased in Grade 5 titanium, the watch blends modernity with intricate finishing. The movement, Calibre GP09200, boasts a power reserve of at least 7 days, visible through the sapphire caseback.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Girard-Perregaux

The Neo Constant Escapement combines aesthetics with technical innovation, embodying Girard-Perregaux’s rich heritage and its commitment to pushing the boundaries of watchmaking. With 30% of its patents being new, this timepiece marks a significant evolution from the original Constant Escapement, delivering superior performance. The Neo Constant Escapement pays tribute to Constant Girard’s legacy while ushering in a new era in watchmaking. As Patrick Pruniaux, CEO of Girard-Perregaux, notes, “The Neo Constant Escapement is superior in every way. It stands testament to the dedication of our talented team and represents a new era in watchmaking.”