First released in 2019, the Cosmos wonderfully demonstrates Girard-Perregaux’s horological prowess. Equipped with three exceptional complications, the model encompasses technical virtuosity, uncompromising finishing and artisanal craftsmanship. Now, Girard-Perregaux has chosen to create three unique versions of this model featuring aventurine, obsidian and onyx, and, lastly, a combination of spectrolite and aventurine. These three models are the final edition of the Cosmos model and serve as a fitting swansong for this exceptional watch.
Out of this world
The Cosmos is equipped with three complications, including a tourbillon, a mechanism designed to counter the adverse influence of gravity on the regulating organ. Presented at the base of the dial, the tourbillon features a titanium lyre-shaped cage. This is held in position by Girard-Perregaux’s signature Neo Bridge, a contemporary interpretation of Constant-Girard’s famous ‘arrow-shaped’ bridge of the 19th century.
Complementing the tourbillon, the watch is equipped with two additional complications, a terrestrial globe and a celestial globe. The terrestrial globe, located at 3 o’clock, serves as a day/night indicator. Positioned opposite, at 9 o’clock, a celestial globe displays the constellations of the Zodiac. All three unique pieces feature two-part dials, formed of aventurine, obsidian or spectrolite. Likewise, the globes are made of black aventurine, black aventurine or onyx. Each set of globes is endued with golden micro-painting, painstakingly executed by hand, a process that takes no less than 14 hours to complete.
The Sun revolves around the Earth every 24 hours, the time it takes for the terrestrial globe to rotate 360°. Celestial time equals the rotation period of a celestial object, namely 23 hours and 56 minutes. The different pace of each globe is barely perceptible to the human eye, however, Girard Perregaux has ensured that both globes rotate at the correct speed, demonstrating its unrelenting attention to detail. Unlike the real world, viewing constellations on the dial of this model is not impeded by light pollution or limited light.
A sense of cohesion
A notable characteristic of the Cosmos is that the dial elements are arranged with due consideration to symmetry. The resultant dial layout is balanced and cohesive. Eager to augment this sense of balance, Girard-Perregaux has dispensed with a conventional crown. Instead, an innovative winding and setting system is located on the reverse of the timepiece emulating the styling of pocket watches from yesteryear. The setting system features three engravings, all of which are filled with luminescent ceramic, indicating the purpose of each bélière.
An exemplar of Haute Horlogerie
Since it was founded in 1791, Girard-Perregaux has become known for crafting exquisite expressions of Haute Horlogerie. Throughout its history, the Maison has repeatedly united exceptional chronometric performance, bewitching aesthetics and extraordinary craftsmanship. The Cosmos upholds this reputation.
The Cosmos is equipped with the Calibre GP093020, a hand-wound movement enriched with high-end finishing. The titanium Neo Bridge is black PVD-treated, sandblasted and incorporates hand-bevelling. Similarly, the mainplate is black PVD-treated and embellished with circular-graining, sandblasting and bevelling. The lyre-shaped tourbillon cage is made of lightweight titanium, hence it requires less energy to rotate, a factor that contributes to the model’s impressive power reserve of at least 57 hours.
In contrast to the flat sapphire crystal to the rear, the front of the watch is endowed with a sapphire anti-reflective ‘box’, providing a three-dimensional view of the dial area. Its domed shape requires four to five times more material to shape and polish.
The Cosmos bids farewell
The Cosmos fuses the worlds of design, Métiers d’Art and watchmaking excellence. These three models incorporate sumptuous materials, hand-painted globes and a high quotient of watchmaking know-how. However, ultimately, all goods things must come to an end and these three pieces represent the last chapter in what has been a fascinating story.
All three Cosmos unique pieces will be sold exclusively by The Hour Glass as of December 2022.
Technical specification COSMOS AVENTURINE
Reference: 99292-21-3084-5CC – Unique piece
Retail Price: GBP 281,000 / CHF 347,000 / USD 364,000 / EUR 365,000
Case
- Material: Grade 5 titanium
- Diameter: 47.00 mm
- Height: 22.20 mm
- Glass: sapphire anti-reflective ‘box’
- Case-back: sapphire crystal
- Dial: two-part black aventurine dial, black time counter, pink gold applied hour markers
- Hands: white gold ‘dauphine’ type with luminescent material
- Water resistance: 30 metres (3 ATM)
Movement
- Reference: GP09320-1902
- Hand-wound mechanical movement
- Diameter: 37.85 mm (163/5 ’’’)
- Height: 13.10 mm
- Frequency: 21,600 Vib/h – (3Hz)
- Number of components: 368
- Number of jewels: 52
- Power reserve: min. 57 hours
- Globes: black aventurine celestial and terrestrial globes with golden micro-painting
- Functions: Tourbillon, hours, minutes, day/night indicator, Zodiac constellations indicator
Strap
- Material: black alligator with hand-stitching glossy effect between the scales
- Buckle: titanium triple folding buckle, easily removable to access the setting system at the back of the timepiece
Technical specification COSMOS SPECTROLITE & AVENTURINE
Reference: 99292-21-3092-5CC – Unique piece
Retail Price: GBP 281,000 / CHF 347,000 / USD 364,000 / EUR 365,000
Case
- Material: Grade 5 titanium
- Diameter: 47.00 mm
- Height: 22.20 mm
- Glass: sapphire anti-reflective ‘box’
- Case-back: sapphire crystal
- Dial: two-part spectrolite dial, black time counter, white gold applied hour markers
- Hands: white gold ‘dauphine’ type with luminescent material
- Water resistance: 30 metres (3 ATM)
Movement
- Reference: GP09320-1903
- Hand-wound mechanical movement
- Diameter: 37.85 mm (163/5 ’’’)
- Height: 13.10 mm
- Frequency: 21,600 Vib/h – (3Hz)
- Number of components: 368
- Number of jewels: 52
- Power reserve: min. 57 hours
- Globes: black aventurine celestial and terrestrial globes with silver micro-painting
- Functions: Tourbillon, hours, minutes, day/night indicator, Zodiac constellations indicator
Strap
- Material: black alligator with hand-stitching glossy effect between the scales
- Buckle: titanium triple folding buckle, easily removable to access the setting system at the back of the timepiece
Technical specification COSMOS OBSIDIAN, ONYX
Reference: 99292-21-3093-5CC – Unique piece
Retail Price: GBP 281,000 / CHF 347,000 / USD 364,000 / EUR 365,000
Case
- Material: Grade 5 titanium
- Diameter: 47.00 mm
- Height: 22.20 mm
- Glass: sapphire anti-reflective ‘box’
- Case-back: sapphire crystal
- Dial: two-part obsidian dial, black time counter, pink gold applied hour markers
- Hands: white gold ‘dauphine’ type with luminescent material
- Water resistance: 30 metres (3 ATM)
Movement
- Reference: GP09320-1901
- Hand-wound mechanical movement
- Diameter: 37.85 mm (163/5 ’’’)
- Height: 13.10 mm
- Frequency: 21,600 Vib/h – (3Hz)
- Number of components: 368
- Number of jewels: 52
- Power reserve: min. 57 hours
- Globes: onyx celestial globe and terrestrial globes with golden micro-painting
- Functions: Tourbillon, hours, minutes, day/night indicator, Zodiac constellations indicator
Strap
- Material: black alligator with hand-stitching glossy effect between the scales
- Buckle: titanium triple folding buckle, easily removable to access the setting system at the back of the timepiece
About Girard-Perregaux
Founded in 1791, Girard-Perregaux is one of the oldest fine watchmaking manufactures still in operation and is appreciated by those in the know. Indeed, the firm’s history is dotted with exceptional creations that skillfully blend aesthetics and functionality. These models include the iconic Laureato, born in 1975, as well as the legendary Tourbillon ‘With Three Gold Bridges,’ a watch that made the invisible visible, transforming bridges from just a technical element to an integral part of the timepiece – a first in watchmaking. Girard-Perregaux’s place at the vanguard of horological innovation is confirmed by over one hundred recorded patents together with numerous prizes and distinctions. It remains one of the few watchmakers to retain Manufacture status for over two centuries by mastering all the required horological skills in-house and making watches infused with a notable degree of authenticity. While Girard-Perregaux respects its heritage, it continues to look ahead, embracing new technologies, state of the art materials, and fresh takes on iconic shapes.
As of 2022, Girard-Perregaux and sister Maison Ulysse Nardin have formed an independent collective of high horology Manufactures.