Rare and heavy Swiss one minute tourbillon full hunter watch Circa 1890

Gold chronometer with tourbillon by Girard-Perregaux
–
A rare and exquisite Swiss gold hunting cased keyless one minute tourbillon pocket watch featuring a pivoted detent chronometer escapement, circa 1890. This watch features an intricately damascened movement with three pink gold bridges, a pivoted detent chronometer escapement mounted on a one minute Guinand Type 2 tourbillon carriage, a gold wheel train, a bimetallic compensation balance and a mainspring barrel engraved Girard-Perregaux, Patented March 25th, 1884. The regulator index is positioned at the top of the tourbillon cage. The white enamel dial is signed Girard-Perregaux Chaux-de-Fonds, includes Roman hour numerals, an Arabic outer minute ring, sunken subsidiary seconds and elegant gold filigree hands.
–
The 18 carat gold case is exquisitely decorated, each cover intricately chased and engraved with floral patterns, foliage and scrolls. The front cover features a central vacant shield shaped cartouche, while the back is adorned with a floral bouquet. The bezels display repeated geometric motifs and the gold bow is similarly ornamented. A lever for setting the hands is located beneath the bezel at 4 o’clock. The watch also includes a glazed inner cuvette beneath a plain polished gold cuvette. All covers and the cuvette are numbered 80957.
–
Diameter: 57 mm
–
Signed: Girard-Perregaux Chaux-de-Fonds
–
Movement is running and the handset is operational. Some tarnishing is visible on the main plate and barrel, however, the screw heads, bridges and plates are generally in visually good condition. A service may be beneficial. The dial appears to be in good condition. The case retains excellent definition in its chased and engraved decoration, with only minor scuffs and scratches.
–
Girard-Perregaux’s three bridge movement was first shown at the 1867 Paris Exhibition. At the 1881 La Chaux de Fonds Exhibition, the jury praised its straight, pointed bridges of gold, silver, steel or nickel, noting their unique design adapted to lever, bascule or tourbillon. They especially admired the well executed tourbillon escapement, which created a brilliant effect. In 1884, Girard-Perregaux patented the ‘three bridge’ design in the U.S. and won a gold medal at the 1889 Paris Universal Exhibition. 
–
Early three bridge tourbillon examples are rare, around 20 pieces were made during Constant Girard’s career, the last completed in 1911. The three golden bridges are aesthetically appealing, masking their mechanical complexity and representing Girard-Perregaux’s most recognized innovation.
–
The firm revived the three gold bridge tourbillon in 1981, creating a limited edition of 20 that matched the original specifics. This project, overseen by watchmaker Denis Schnegg, led to a miniaturised wristwatch version, finally realized in 1991 for Girard-Perregaux’s 200th anniversary.