Girard-Perregaux - Stefano Macaluso - the architect of time
My very first meeting at Baselworld 2014 was with the always enthusiastic and agreeable Stefano Macaluso, who oversees product development at Girard-Perregaux. I was especially looking forward to seeing the already hyped Neo-Tourbillon that had been presented online ahead of the show. And since the Neo-Tourbillon was one of two all new tourbillons presented at BaselWorld, there was no doubt that 2014 would be named "Year of the Tourbillon" by the famed Swiss manufacturer, whereas 2013 was all about precision with the impressive and award winning Constant Escapement.
"We are more complex than ever," Macaluso instantly claimed, when I asked about the two new tourbillon models being presented this year. "At the same time our tourbillon is easily recognisable with the three-bridge construction as Girard-Perregaux has used this design since the 19th century. You can even call this our second logo," Macaluso smiles. "As easily recognised as the front of a Rolls Royce."
Micromechanical architecture
The Neo-Tourbillon is more than just easily recognised as a tourbillon timepiece from Girard-Perregaux. The Neo-Tourbillon is also a timepiece inspired by architecture and with angles and structure obviously inspired by bridges as we know them from mobile infrastructure.
When we discussed architecture and sketches, Macaluso reached from his bag, took a fine sketchbook full of ideas and notes. Several pages were full of sketches of bridges. "I travel a lot by train and often pass by many bridges and they inspired me for the design of the three tourbillon bridges of the Neo-Tourbillon," he says, also admitting that he´s a cartoon fan, which many of his fantastic drawings in the sketchbook clearly revealed.
When looking at the three-bridge tourbillon the screw heads are quite noticeably unaligned. I asked Macaluso if there was reason for this. "It is of course possible to align the screws on the bridges. But as everything on this watch is very symmetric and perfectly under control, I instead wanted to break this perfection a bit. Call it my quiet battle against perfection," Stefano smiles.
His love for Star Wars is also represented on the Neo-Tourbillon as the domed crystal "looks like a space station", according to Macaluso. "I was thinking of a small city when I designed this watch. You know, a space city with a large dome over it."
Undoubtedly Macaluso has clearly left his fingerprint on the Neo-Tourbillon, which also features a rather large tourbillon cage. Almost as large as a pocket watch. The 45-millimetre case is of the same design as last year's mega success, the epic Constant Escapement. It does not, however, offer a bezel. Instead the Neo-Tourbillon offers more crystal to add light into the movement. Further evidence of Macaluso's background as a trained architect.
Approximately 30-50 of the Neo-Tourbillon will be made per year, at a price of €135,500 including VAT.
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