Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Girard-Perregaux unveils a white gold Jackpot Tourbillon


The Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 Jackpot Tourbillon is now encased in white gold. This miniaturized marvel of supreme craftsmanship comprises of 504 intricate parts. The first time the Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 Jackpot Tourbillon was unveiled, in rose gold (see inset below) , it caused quite a stir among watch enthusiasts. "Taking on a gamble" generates an entirely new meaning when investing in the Jackpot Tourbillon. Gerard-Perregaux has incorporated three profoundly different mechanical operations; the Watch, the Slot Machine, and the Jackpot Tourbillon under a gold bridge. The Watch measures the passage of time; the slot machine uses time, and it is said The Tourbillon reduces the effect of gravity on the Watch movements. In addition, the Watch is equipped with a mini striking mechanism perfectly proportioned to the Vintage 1945 case.
On the dial at the 12 o'clock position, three slot machine symbols are revealed. The slot machine is not a artistic depiction of a slot machine. The Slot Machine is a scaled down model of the real thing and it really works:
Pull the handle on the right side of the watch case and the game begins. The reels spin, symbols blurring in black and white as they whiz past the 12 o' clock window. The reels stop and one symbol out of a possible five is displayed. A hammer strikes a gong; chiming with a typical slot machine ring, and one out of a possible 125 combinations is displayed. Only one of the combinations represents the jackpot: Three bells in a row. The actual Slot Machine Mechanism is initiated when the handle is pulled, the rack slides upwards. At the racks highest point, the reel starts spinning as the rack slowly descends. Two-thirds of the way down, stoppers are activated halting the reel one at a time, in sync starting the striking mechanism.
The creation of this cleverly integrated watch took months of meticulous planning. An entire new calibre GPFAY08 Jackpot Tourbillon.
The gaming mechanism of the slot machine is operated by a rack initiates and stops the reels, and activates the chimes. The choice of symbols were were warrant of much thought and research. The symbols were reproduced from the 19th century "Liberty Bell" slot machine, named in reference to the independence of the United States. The symbols are etched on gold reels, and then beautifully lacquered, the suit of spades, hearts, diamonds and horseshoes. The Bells that provide the Jackpot appear at random.
The Watch Back is fitted with an anti reflective sapphire-crystal so that the Mechanical Watch/Slot Machine Wearer can marvel at the symphony of the complex movements. Another amazing aspect to the watch is the 96 hour Power Reserve. Owing to the incredible detail and precise detailed craftsmanship, this watch is available in very limited numbers