Girard-Perregaux, one of the oldest fine watchmaking manufacturers still in operation in Switzerland today, has partnered with the historic Château Latour vineyard to create the 1966 Château Latour Edition timepiece. A standout feature of this watch is that each will feature a unique dial, made from pebbles sourced from the vineyard.
Through this timepiece, both Girard-Perregaux and Château Latour are showcasing their rich heritage. Notably, the Swiss watchmaker’s heritage is marked by its significant achievements, like winning a first-class prize at the Neuchâtel Observatory in 1867 and a gold medal at the 1889 Universal Exhibition in Paris. As for their 1966 collection, it celebrates the award-winning Gyromatic HF movement, designed to epitomize elegance and timelessness.
Château Latour, on the other hand, dating back to 1331, is one of the five “Premiers Crus Classés” estates in France’s Médoc region, known for its exceptional wine production. The vineyard’s terroir, enhanced by its unique climate and geology, plays a crucial role in the quality of its wines.
Notably, creating the dial of each 1966 Château Latour Edition watch is an intricate process. Artisans spend 30 hours meticulously crafting the dial from pebbles, thinning them to a 0.45mm sliver and mounting them on a brass base. The natural variation in the pebbles ensures that each watch dial is a unique example.
The watch’s case is crafted from pink gold, designed to harmonize with the subtle yellow hues of the pebble dial. It features golden leaf-shaped hands, slender indexes, a center seconds hand and a date display. The sapphire crystal case-back, adorned with the Château Latour logo, reveals the Calibre GP03300 self-winding movement and showcases its finishing techniques.
This limited edition, with only 18 pieces to be produced, will be exclusively available to private guests of the Château Latour estate and the Villa Girard-Perregaux in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
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