Girard-Perregaux Cat’s Eye Eternity Edition

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As Girard-Perregaux celebrates its 230th anniversary, it has looked to its past and created a new model, the Cat’s Eye Eternity Edition. Equipped with a grand feu enamel dial, this latest model is destined to retain its fresh-faced looks for many years to come.

In 1889, Girard-Perregaux received a gold medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition for its horological masterpiece, the Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges. While previous pocket watches featured three parallel nickel silver bridges, this model was endowed with a triumvirate of exquisitely shaped gold plates. Each bridge was arrowshaped, a design patented a few years earlier in the United States of America (1884). While the bridges had a functional purpose, the Maison also made them an aesthetic element. This combination of functionality and style would become a fundamental pillar of the Girard-Perregaux brand.

Not only did the ‘Three Gold Bridges’ exude luxury with their noble composition, their form encompassed numerous shapes. After the unveiling of the Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges, Girard-Perregaux produced numerous round watches, however, it would also go on to play with a multitude of shapes beyond the ubiquitous circular form. Indeed, the inaugural version of the Laureato (1975) featured a round dial framed with an octagonal bezel which sat atop a circular plinth above a tonneau shape case.

In 2004, the Manufacture released a new creation, the Cat’s Eye collection. Housed in a distinctive oval-shaped case, the model upheld the Maison’s predilection for non-standard forms. Designed from the outset to be a feminine creation, the watch won the Ladies prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG).

Close examination of the case reveals a gracefully arcing lugs and a cambered sapphire crystal. The numerous curves coax light, imbuing some contours with a brilliant glow while leaving other areas in darkness, quiet and reflective.

Over the years, Girard-Perregaux has produced several variants of the Cat’s Eye, some featuring complications, most adorned with gems, but all housed in an exquisite oval case. Now, the Manufacture is pleased to unveil the Cat’s Eye Eternity Edition. Its name makes reference to the grand feu enamel dial and its capacity to retain a showroom-fresh appearance forever. No fading or cracking, just an extraordinary beauty that never fades.

Patrick Pruniaux, CEO of Girard-Perregaux, remarks, “This year, Girard-Perregaux is celebrating its 230th anniversary. Whenever we peruse our archives, we are reminded that we have a responsibility to uphold the legacy of former watchmakers, craftspeople and artisans. These skills, which our company holds dear, should never be forgotten. With our Eternity Editions, our aim was to produce a limited number of watches that would showcase our expertise for the enjoyment of generations to come. We sought to create watches that will still look incredible in decades to come, hence we endowed these models with grand feu enamel dials, produced in our in-house facility. These dials won’t fade with the passage of time. Their beauty will remain eternal, destined to be enjoyed by those in the future.”

The grand feu enamel dials are made in the company’s in-house facility. The enamel comprises a mixture of silica, minium, potash and soda which are ground into a powder. Additional metal oxides are then added to create different coloured enamels. The powder is dusted onto the dial and then fired in an oven that typically operates at about 800°C. This process is repeated on 5-10 occasions to achieve the desired lustrous appearance. Grand feu enamelling takes much expertise to master, however, even with experience the repeated firings can still result in cracks appearing, air bubbles and colour imperfections. Inevitably, many dials fail to pass muster and are discarded. However, the main benefit of this protracted process is that the flawless grand feu enamel dials will retain their colour forever, promising an eternal joy.

The oval dial is adorned with a guilloché sunray motif that is visible through the blue translucent enamel surface, heightening the splendour of the dial’s surface.

Leaf-shaped hour and minute hands enunciate the time with notable grace. The brand’s initials are positioned at 12 o’clock and, along with the four hour markers, are applied to the dial’s surface while the others are decals. Purists will note the date display at 3 o’clock features white numerals positioned upon a coloured disc, matching the hue of the main dial as horological etiquette dictates.

Housed in a steel case, set with 62 brilliant-cut diamonds (0.85 ct), this latest model measures 35.40 x 30.40mm. The height of the case is a modest 9.10mm, ensuring the watch sits close to the wrist without projecting unduly.

Since the outset, the Cat’s Eye has always combined feminine design with mechanical finesse and, this latest version, the Cat’s Eye Eternity Edition, proves no exception. The self-winding movement, the GP03300-1739 calibre, is made at the company’s production facility in La Chaux-de-Fonds. It features a flower-shaped oscillating weight which is made from pink gold and is beautifully appointed with fine decorative finishes. Additional movement refinements include straight Côtes de Genève on the bridges, bevelling, blued screws, circular graining on the main plate and engraved gilded text, all executed to the company’s exalted standards.

The Cat’s Eye Eternity Edition is limited to 88 pieces. It will be sold exclusively by Seddiqi during December 2021. Thereafter, the model will be available in all authorised Girard-Perregaux retailers and on the brand’s ecommerce site.