Girard Perregaux :: Manufacturers :: Essence of Time, Inc.

This site requires JavaScript to function properly. Please enable JavaScript in your web browser.

Essence of Time, Inc. :: Manufacturers :: Girard Perregaux

Founder: The founder of a company was an orphan as a child. Jean-Francois Bautte learned many essential watchmaking techniques and signed his first watch at the young age of 19 in 1791.

Country: La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland

History: After Jean Bautte began creating watches, his son Jacques Bautte and Jean Rossel took over the company in 1834. By 1852, Constant Girard founded the company Girard & Cie and four years later after marrying his wife, the company name was changed to Girard-Perregaux. 1880 was the year that Constant Girard created 2000 watches for the German Navy Officers and they were purchased by Kaiser Wilhelm I. This was the first mass sale of wristwatches and wristwatches would not catch on until half a century later. Constant Girard-Gallet took over the company from his father in 1903. The companies success was halted due to the outbreak of war in Europe known as the first world war. 1940 saw the creation of the water resistant Seahawk watch. Because of Girard Perregauxs researchers, the company created the first high frequency (36,600 vph) movement models in 1966. In 1970, the company set the standard for quartz watches with a frequency of 32,768Hz. To commemorate 200 years of success, the company created an ultra tourbillon with three golden bridges and made it as a wristwatch. Luigi Macaluso took over the company in 1992. One year later the company partnered up with Ferrari and certain watches contained the prancing horse symbol of Ferrari. In 2001, Girard Perregaux created a new way to display time, featuring a large window and moonphase. Furthermore, the WW.TC models were also introduced in that same year. In 2007, the WW.TC Jackpot model had a slot machine built into it and it made a chime. One of the worlds most accurate escapements was made in 2008 and it was called the “Constant Escapement”.

Timeline & Accomplishments:

• 1791 Company was founded

• 1856 Company renamed to Girard Perregaux

• 1880 2000 watches were created for Kaiser Wilhelm's navy officers

• 1940 Seahawk model was created

• 1966 First high frequency movement models were created (36,600 vph)

• 1970 Girard set the standard for quartz watches.

• 1993 Company partnered up with Ferrari Motor Company

• 2001 New design to display time was created

• 2001 WW.TC models were introduced

• 2008 “Constant Escapement” one of the worlds most accurate escapements was made