Magic in motion
In fine watchmaking, the golden bridge is considered a mechanical art form, inspiring reinventions and new twists.
Girard-Perregaux's vintage 1945 Jackpot Tourbillon watch (HK$3.95 million) features the gold bridge, with the design incorporating a tourbillion and a slot machine equipped with a striking mechanism.
The brand spent months developing the entirely integrated calibre, which required the miniaturisation and integration of all functions. The gaming machine feature is operated by a rack, which starts and stops the reels and activates the chimes.
It has launched a limited-edition watch featuring a tourbillion with three gold bridges (HK$1.5 million). The three gold parallel bridge is a modern interpretation of Girard-Perregaux's 19th-century invention.
The three golden bridges have been redesigned in a vintage 1945 case (HK$1.62 million) to hold the movement wheels in the shape of arrows, and set them in parallel, aligning the barrel, the wheel train and the tourbillon in the same axis.
Inspired by an art deco-style watch, the crown has been integrated into the case to retain the balance of the lines. The tourbillon comprises 72 components, all of which fit into a diameter of just one centimetre and weighs 0.3 grams. Accompanying it is a self-winding calibre, a platinum micro-rotor, incorporated behind the barrel, to preserve the architecture of the movement.
Swiss watchmaker Corum's golden bridge, launched in 1980, has become its flagship complication, featuring a patented baguette movement. 'With its plate and bridge made of gold, and engraved by hand, the movement is considered a masterpiece,' explains Antonio Calce, Corum's CEO. 'The movement, which is set between two slender bridges made of fine gold, is visible from every angle. This magic in motion can be considered an exceptional achievement.'
Corum's Golden Bridge (white gold case with black dial, HK$257,000), which has a manually wound mechanical movement, features an 18k gold bridge supporting the entire structure of the movement, its mainspring, gear train and escapement.
Last year, Corum launched a titanium version of the classic Golden Bridge. This year, the brand celebrated the 30th anniversary of this calibre by launching the Miss Golden Bridge collection (prices start from HK$198,000).
