The Girard-Perregaux 2026 Watch Releases So Far
The first two Girard-Perregaux releases of 2026 are both statement pieces in the half-million-dollar range, including their first automatic in-house minute repeater. Girard-Perregaux has a long list of historical bona fides and they seem determined to remind the market of their formidable watchmaking prowess, as the past few decades brought three majority ownership changes and relatively tepid market reception to the brand. But their Laureato line seems to be gaining some steam, although that’s not what they’re focusing on this year so far. Let’s get into the details of the two upscale tourbillon watches GP has already released for 2026.
2026 Girard-Perregaux Minute Repeater Flying Bridges
For 2026, Girard-Perregaux has released, in their words, “the first skeletonized integral minute repeater.” It’s also the brand’s first automatic minute repeater. Very few brands make their own in-house automatic minute repeaters, as chiming complications are some of the most difficult to make. First, I should clarify what Girard-Perregaux means by “integral.”
When watch collectors discuss movements, the movement is considered “integrated” if its complications are fully built into the movement (not just modules added onto an existing base movement). The GP9530 movement is integrated, but that’s not what GP means when they say “integral.” Each gong and its gong block (the fixture that connects the gong to the case) is machined from one solid piece. That maximizes stiffness and thus volume.
As with most classic minute repeaters, the button on the left activates the chime of the current time. In the video below you can hear it chime the time for 3:33 (three hours, two quarter-hours, and three minutes):
Ref. 99840-52-2013-5CC in action. Video: Girard-Perregaux
With a 46mm diameter, this is a very large watch, but that’s common with high complications like this. The 17.9mm case thickness is also significant, but certainly forgivable considering that’s thinner than the Omega Planet Ocean Chronograph 2210.50.00, for example.
The movement is beautifully and thoughtfully skeletonized, using the brand’s “Neo” version of their classic “Three Bridges” layout. Well, there are actually only two bridges visible from the front because there needs to be room for the chiming mechanism at the top of the dial.
The blackened bridges provide some nice contrast. The faux-textile strap is actually patterned rubber, and comes with a folding 18k pink gold clasp.
Although it’s not technically a limited edition, Girard-Perregaux will make no more than seven Minute Repeater Flying Bridges per year. With a list price of $590,000, that probably won’t be too much of a problem.
2026 Girard-Perregaux Minute Repeater Flying Bridges Specs
| Model | Minute Repeater Flying Bridges |
|---|---|
| Reference number | 99840-52-2013-5CC |
| Case material | 18k rose gold |
| Case diameter | 46 mm |
| Case thickness | 17.9 mm |
| Water resistance | 30 m |
| Movement caliber | GP9530 (automatic, minute repeater, tourbillon) |
| Power reserve | 60 hours |
| Bracelet/strap | Black rubber strap with fabric effect, folding clasp |
| Limited edition | Not numbered; GP states “fewer than 8 pieces per year” |
| MSRP | $590,000 |
La Esmeralda Tourbillon “A Secret” Eternity Edition
Several brands have released luxury watches that celebrate the Year of the Horse for 2026, and Girard-Perregaux is one of them. Well, they were actually making horse-themed watches anyway–the first La Esmeralda Tourbillon “A Secret” Eternity Edition debuted in 2021 with ornate engraved horse imagery, along with a combination of intricate guilloche work and grand feu enameling on both the dial and caseback.
The engraving on the lugs and bezel of the 43mm case are extensive, and GP’s signature “Three Bridges” layout is in full effect, with two horses acting as halves of two of the bridges. The large tourbillon sits over an interesting Spirograph-like motif at 6 o’clock.
The “Secret” thing about the watch is the hinged caseback that opens to reveal the movement behind a sapphire crystal.
For 2026, Girard-Perregaux has released their tenth colorway of this impressive $469,000 La Esmeralda: a rose gold case with rich red coloring. On this series of watches, the grand feu enameling extends to the sides of the midcase and lugs as well.
Like each of the other colorways, the red version will be limited to 18 pieces.
La Esmeralda Tourbillon “A Secret” Eternity Edition Specs
| Model | La Esmeralda Tourbillon “A Secret” Eternity Edition (Red) |
|---|---|
| Reference number | 99274-52-3161-5CC |
| Case material | 18K rose gold, engraved and enamelled hinged caseback |
| Case diameter | 43 mm |
| Case thickness | 15.1 mm |
| Water resistance | 30 m |
| Movement caliber | GP09600 (Automatic, tourbillon, 6 beats per second) |
| Power reserve | 48 hours |
| Bracelet/strap | Alligator strap that matches dial, folding 18k gold clasp |
| Limited edition | 18 pieces |
| MSRP | $469,000 |
Girard-Perregaux does not participate in the industry’s biggest new-watch fair, Watches and Wonders, but more 2026 releases can certainly be expected. We’ll keep you updated!
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