Girard-Perregaux Tourbillon Bi-Axial Tantalum and Sapphire. Where is the third sapphire bridge? Photo: © TANG Portfolio, at BaselWorld 2013

Two main features will strike the observer when they first lay their eyes on the Tourbillon Bi-Axial Tantalum and Sapphire made by Girard-Perregaux: the bi-axial tourbillon and secondly, the darkened bridges made of sapphire which have undergone metallic black finishing.

There is actually a third noticeable feature and that will the colour of the case which is made from tantalum.

However, there are not two but three sapphire bridges on Girard-Perregaux’s Tourbillon Bi-Axial Tantalum and Sapphire; so where is the third bridge located?

The third and smallest bridge is actually on the bi-axial tourbillon which has two cages; the first makes one complete rotation on its axis in 45 seconds while the second external cage will complete one rotation in one minute and 45 seconds.

 

 

The third sapphire bridge is affixed onto the bi-axial tourbillon which is in continuous motion when the movement is running. Therefore, the three bridges will only be in parallel alignment for perhaps a few seconds or maybe even much less than that. Photo: © TANG Portfolio, at BaselWorld 2013

Therefore, the third sapphire bridge can only be parallel with the other two fixed bridges for only a very few seconds during each rotation.

Sightings of Girard-Perregaux’s Tourbillon Bi-Axial Tantalum and Sapphire will be rare as only 12 pieces will be made.

The Tourbillon Bi-Axial Tantalum and sapphire bridges is priced at 450,000 Swiss francs without tax and 486,000 Swiss francs with tax.