Girard-Perregaux, A FINE AND RARE PLATINUM AUTOMATIC TOURBILLON WRISTWATCH WITH THREE PLATINUM BRIDGES CIRCA 1998 TOURBILLON SOUS TROIS POINTS NO 01/17

• cal. 9600 automatic nickel lever movement finely engraved with decorative motifs, 20 jewels, one minute tourbillon carriage with mono-metallic compensation balance • skeletonized dial with three jewelled platinum bridges, inner bezel calibrated for minutes and Roman numerals for the hours, blued steel hands • platinum case with downturned lugs, back secured by 6 screws • case, dial and movement signed • with a platinum GP folding buckle

Manual winding is running while cataloguing. Movement is very nice and clean through sapphire crystal display. Case and buckle with light signs of use. Overall appears in excellent condition. Back of the case numbered 'No. 01/17', '99095'. **The leather strap of this wristwatch is made of endangered species, please refer to important notices for further information**.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

Accompanied by a Girard-Perregaux Certificate Card, Instruction Manual and booklets. Further accompanied by a presentation box with an outer card box.

In 1884, Constant Girard patented his first 'three bridge movement'. Five years later, in 1889, Girard's first tourbillon watch using the three bridge design won the gold medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition. Between 1865 and 1911, Girard-Perregaux registered 57 tourbillon watches at the Observatory of Neuchatel in Switzerland. 

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Girard-Perregaux began to research and manufacture 20 golden bridge tourbillon pocket watches based on the 1889 original. In 1986, the Research and Development team at Girard-Perregaux were charged with designing and producing a wristwatch version of the three bridge tourbillon to be ready in time for the the company's 1991 bicentenary. This required the miniaturisation of the movement and its inversion to allow the three golden bridges to be visible from the dial side.

Highly appealing aesthetically, the movement of the three bridges appears beautifully simple, yet it masks the remarkable mechanical complexity of its design. It is this classic design that has arguably made it the most visibly recognisable tourbillon wristwatch.

This lot is part of a limited series of only 17 pieces of which the present lot is number 1. It is the first time the present lot is offered at auction.