Charles Girardier is a young independent brand established in 2018 by Patrick A. Ulm with the idea of reviving the creativity of Charles Girardier Sr., a 19th-century Geneva watchmaker. The brand specializes in producing complex watches with Métiers d’Art elements. Having won an award in the 'Ladies’ Complication' category at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève 2020, Charles Girardier now opens the 1809 collection to a male audience. Meet the Charles Girardier 1809 Cobalt Blue 41mm.
The first version of the Charles Girardier 1809 collection dedicated to men is presented in a 41mm white gold case. It combines a cobalt blue Grand Feu enamel dial, an automatic movement with a flying tourbillon, and a miniature automaton. Opposite the tourbillon at the '6 o'clock' position, the initials of Charles Girardier, C and G, are in motion at the '12 o'clock' position, animated by the brand's mysterious signature mechanism. Customers can order their own initials or another design to create a unique Signature Mystérieuse.
The enamel dial is made of cobalt blue enamel applied to a gold base adorned with a chevron pattern. To achieve depth and brilliance, eight layers of enamel are successively applied and fired in a kiln. The final glaze is a translucent enamel known as fondant. Elegant applied indices are paired with faceted dauphine-style hands.
The watch is equipped with the CG Calibre 1809 automatic movement, manufactured by the Geneva-based movement producer Timeless. It displays hours, minutes, and seconds on a flying tourbillon, pulsing at the '6 o'clock' position. Turning the watch over reveals a movement with a peripheral rotor, providing an unobstructed view of the matte bridges. The mechanism includes a secondary small pendulum used to drive the automaton that moves the initials C and G (this mechanism is the subject of a patent application currently under review).
The Charles Girardier 1809 Cobalt Blue 41mm is worn on a blue fabric strap, woven on a traditional jacquard loom and secured by a white gold deployant clasp. The price is set at €93,000.
For more information, visit www.charles-girardier.com.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – CHARLES GIRARDIER 1809 COBALT BLUE 41MM
Case: diameter 41mm x height 12.2mm – 18k white gold case – sapphire crystal with AR coating – sapphire case back – water resistance up to 30 meters
Dial: cobalt blue Grand Feu enamel, white gold base with engraved chevron motif – Mysterious Signature in white gold with a rose pattern – 18k white gold applied hour markers – 18k white gold dauphine hands
Movement: calibre CG 1809/06, made by Timeless – automatic winding with bidirectional peripheral mass, single ball bearing – one-minute flying tourbillon regulator – 30.6mm x 8.43mm – frequency 4 Hz – power reserve 46 hours – 308 components – 32 jewels – hours, minutes, small seconds over flying tourbillon
Strap: blue fabric strap with 18k white gold deployant clasp
Price: €93,000