Introducing: The Girard-Perregaux Neo Bridges Aston Martin Edition
Back in 2021, when Aston Martin and Girard-Perregaux announced their partnership, many people expected them to work on a series of Laureato models. Surprisingly, though, the first watch that came out was the Girard-Perregaux Tourbillon with Three Flying Bridges — Aston Martin Edition. But for those disappointed fans, the next three joint efforts were indeed the much-anticipated Laureatos. Now both brands return to a design with the iconic bridges for their fifth collaborative project. The newest effort is the Girard-Perregaux Neo Bridges Aston Martin Edition.
I am a big fan of Aston Martin. The British automaker has created some of the most beautiful sports cars in history. The DB5 is among the world’s most recognizable and beautiful cars, not least of all thanks to the James Bond movies. And during my younger years, the Lagonda and V8 Vantage made lasting impressions on me. But the gracefully sculpted lines of the One-77, DB9, DBS, and Vanquish are among my favorites in recent history. With the current DB12, the brand has added another standout car to its impressive lineup of greats. This car, Aston Martin’s first Super Tourer, inspired the new Girard-Perregaux Neo Bridges Aston Martin Edition.
The story behind the Girard-Perregaux Neo Bridges Aston Martin Edition
The story of the new Girard-Perregaux Neo Bridges Aston Martin Edition has two parts. First off, the design of the watch is inspired by the graceful lines of the DB12. We’re seeing this direct link between cars and watches more often these days, and it immediately gives direction to a design. Additionally, luxury carmakers focus heavily on reducing the weight of their vehicles. To that end, they are always looking to incorporate new lightweight materials. This philosophy can be perfectly integrated into the world of horology, and we’re seeing more and more watch brands using lightweight materials too.
The second part of the story is the effort that both parties put in to develop something that embodies the design philosophy behind both brands. The result is a modern watch firmly rooted in traditional watchmaking. Visually, it is in line with the first watch that the partners released. After two Laureato Chronograph models in 2021 and 2022 and a duo of green ceramic time-only Laureatos earlier this year, this is an interesting next step in the partnership.
The specs of the Neo Bridges Aston Martin Edition
Let’s start with some basics. The Neo Bridges Aston Martin Edition has a 45mm black DLC titanium case that is 12.18mm thick. The round case shape with its straight lugs is one of those traditional elements I mentioned earlier. However, the overall presence changes drastically through the use of titanium and a black DLC finish. Amplifying this is the super technical-looking horological display underneath the box-shaped sapphire crystal.
There, the lack of any real dial unveils the inverted movement that powers the watch. Seeing the elements you would normally expect on the back of the watch now positioned in the front is quite refreshing. It creates an intricate and high-tech look that was further enhanced by the inspiration from the Aston Martin DB12. The immediate eyecatchers are the two prominent Neo bridges executed in Aston Martin Green. The bridges support the gear train and the balance, and the wearer gets a great view of the different parts interacting with each other.
The intricacies within
The movement is designed with symmetry in mind, ensuring satisfyingly perfect visual balance. The black ring encircling it features the minute track also executed in Aston Martin green. Additionally, it features suspended skeletonized baton-style indices treated with Super-LumiNova. The handset consists of beautifully brushed, beveled, and skeletonized hour and minute hands, each of which is half-filled with Super-LumiNova. All the lume lights up green in the dark, in line with the other green elements.
In the top-right quadrant of the display, you’ll find the barrel supported by a black open-worked bridge. The barrel features “Powered by Girard-Perragaux” proudly written in white. Across from it on the upper left, you will find the micro-rotor with “Designed by Aston Martin” engraved on it. For the design of the barrel and the micro-rotor, the design teams were inspired by the brakes of the Aston Martin DB12. At 6 o’clock, you see the balance held in place by the lower of the two green bridges.
A true collaborative effort
Overall, the watch feels impeccably neatly balanced. On top of that, it is nice to see the different elements inspired by the DB12. If you go to Aston Martin’s DB12 page, you will immediately recognize the design influences that the carmaker’s designers had on the design. This makes the new Neo Bridges Aston Martin Edition a proper collaborative design effort, and I love that.
We haven’t touched upon the finishing of the dial and movement. In general, the finishing of the different elements fits the design, further emphasizing the technical nature of the piece. And just as a reminder, you are looking at the finish of the movement on the front and not the usual back of the watch. If you turn the watch around, you will see the large Aston Martin logo in white over what is, essentially, the front of the movement finished with Geneva stripes. It creates an interesting overall dynamic.
The GP084000-2164 movement
Speaking of finishing, the caliber that powers the watch is the in-house GP084000-2164. This automatic movement measures 32mm in diameter and just 5.45mm thick. It contains 208 parts, operates at 21,600vph, and has a 48-hour power reserve.
As a result of the automotive influences, this new inverted movement design is the most technical of the Girard-Perregaux Bridges collection. There are certainly other models in that collection that have that futuristic look, but this new Neo Bridges Aston Martin edition tops them all with a stealthy case and the DB12-inspired dial and movement.
Impressions and pricing
Completing the watch is a black rubber strap with a fabric effect, green stitches, and a DLC titanium folding buckle. Girard-Perregaux will produce 250 pieces of this limited edition for a price of €39,800. I am sure that Girard-Perregaux will find many Aston Martin fans who will love this piece. Whether you are a fan of the Formula 1 team or the road cars that the British brand produces, I think you’ll agree that the watch is a genuine reflection of the spirit of Aston Martin.
Combined with the unique Neo Bridges design, it makes for an interesting fifth collaborative effort. In conclusion, I might like the Laureato better as a watch, but this is a better collaborative effort. As a result, it makes me curious about what is to come in the future.
For more information, visit the official Girard-Perregaux website. Let us know in the comments section what you think of this new Neo Bridges Aston Martin Edition.
