Coming from the heart of La-Chaux-de-Fonds, out of the experienced hands of Girard-Perregaux folk, the Constant Force Escapement is a symbol of innovative watchmaking. Working at a frequency of 3 Hz, this mechanism comes from the hands of the watchmakers responsible for defining the general vibrating frequency of the entire quartz watches world – if you’re curious, that is 32,768 Hz.
Worlds apart from the quartz timekeeping technology, the Constant Escapement is one of the most important timepieces to have been launched in 2013. The principle this timepiece relies on is the supply of a perfectly steady beat to the watch, without any sort of variations. Girard-Perregaux has also chosen to endow this particular movement with the shape of one of their previous symbolic pieces, with arrow-shaped bridges.
The escapement boasts a single thread-like silicon section, or blade, which generates the constant force. This is done via a micro-impulse which is being delivered to the blade – it therefore bends and stores the energy until it snaps into a mirror shape.
The process travels back and forth, generating the so-called constant force between the balance and the main springs. Also to be observed are the two wheels located above the balance and the silicium blade – they are in fact the escapement wheels, with the three specially-profiled teeth they need in order to deliver the 3 Hz frequency to the movement.
This is entirely new, even to Girard-Perregaux, as the timepieces finished before this one feature the typical Swiss level mechanical engine with only one escapement wheel. To say the least, the Girard-Perregaux encompasses a 7-day power reserve, black alligator strap and an exquisite 48 mm white gold case.
As for the nomination of this exquisite wristwatch, it’s not strictly related to the mechanism – it in fact celebrates the name of Constant Girard-Perregaux, a founder of the Swiss watchmaking brand. Known previously as PPR, Kerring has chosen the name for this watch as simply as possible, as it houses the brand new caliber MVT-009100-0007, which we’ve described above. It will probably act as a trail-blazer as well, because Girard-Perregaux always thinks of self-improving its exceptional expertise in watchmaking.
[Girard-Perregaux] via [Luxury-Insider]
