Known for its elaborate complications and use of materials, Swiss watch brand Girard-Perregaux unveils three new “Cosmos” watches, each of which is unique. The new pieces joining the Cosmos collection of three watches that was first unveiled to the world in 2019 to showcase the brand’s horological and artistic craftsmanship. The new versions are replicas of the original three but are made using different gems of the earth: aventurine, obsidian and onyx, and spectrolite and onyx.
Each watch boasts a three-dimensional dial with two hand-painted globes – one displaying the constellations and the other displaying a world map. The globes are hand painted with gold to showcase the map and constellation. Each globe takes approximately 14 hours of painstaking work using a brush. The two-part dials are made of aventurine, obsidian or spectrolite, while the globes are made of black or blue aventurine or onyx. Portions of the movement are also visible on the dial side. To save space, the Girard-Perregaux logo simply reads: GP.
The watches are powered by the brand’s Caliber GP09320 hand-wound movement that consists of 368 individual parts, with each meticulously finished. It houses a tourbillon escapement to compensate for errors in timekeeping due to the effects of gravity when the watch is in certain positions on the wrist. It also boasts he terrestrial and celestial globes. On the terrestrial globe (at 3:00 on the dial), there is also a day/night indication via an ingenious ring that circles the globe and displays the 24 hours on it. The celestial globe at 9:00 showcases the constellations.
The 4mm case is crafted of titanium to keep it lighter in weight. It features a sapphire case back for viewing of the movement. Each watch is finished with an alligator strap and is water resistant to 30 meters. Just one of each version will be made, with each retailing for $364,000. They are being sold exclusively by The Hour Glass. Word has it that this will be the final Cosmos series.
(This article by Roberta Naas first appeared on Forbes.com)