Girard-Perregaux Introduces the New GP4800 Calibre with Silicon Escapement
Girard-Perregaux has unveiled a new in-house automatic movement, the Calibre GP4800, designed to serve as a foundation for the brand’s future “time-only” watches as well as more complex models. Compact, efficient and finely decorated, the new calibre reflects the manufacture’s ongoing investment in technical refinement and mechanical longevity.
Source: monochrome-watches.com
Architecture and specifications
The GP4800 measures 25.60 mm in diameter and 4.28 mm in thickness, comprising 163 components and 19 jewels. It has been conceived as a modular base movement, offering a versatile platform for the development of complications such as dual time, power reserve or calendar functions in future models.
Technically, the movement introduces several innovations aimed at improving reliability and energy efficiency. The escapement features silicon components-a material chosen for its resistance to magnetism, temperature variation and wear-paired with a variable-inertia balance for enhanced chronometric stability. The balance spring remains traditional, preserving the aesthetic and mechanical character of classical watchmaking.
Efficiency and durability
The GP4800 is equipped with a unidirectional winding system, using a rotor mounted on ceramic ball bearings that require no lubrication. This technology, first adopted by Girard-Perregaux in the early 2000s, has been further refined with an integrated shock-absorption system that filters vibrations produced by the bearing assembly, reducing noise and improving durability. The power reserve of the calibre is rated at 55 hours.
Finishing and design
As expected from Girard-Perregaux, the finishing adheres to the highest standards of traditional Swiss haute horlogerie. The rhodium-plated bridges are adorned with gold engravings, including the brand’s eagle emblem. Decorative techniques include Geneva stripes, mirror-polished screw heads, and sandblasted mainplate surfaces.
The skeletonised oscillating weight is styled with arrow-shaped bridges, a signature design motif referencing the maison’s historic architecture of the Three Bridges tourbillon. The overall aesthetic bridges heritage and innovation, combining modern materials with artisanal finishing.
Strategic importance
With the GP4800, Girard-Perregaux reinforces its independence as a fully integrated manufacture capable of designing, producing and decorating its own movements. The calibre’s adaptability ensures it will become a cornerstone for the brand’s next generation of models, balancing technical sophistication with classical design codes that remain central to Girard-Perregaux’s identity.
