Girard

Today the Girard-Perregaux watchmaking company is owned by the French luxury group Kering. This purchase was made in 2011. Prior to that, the watchmaker had joined with the Sowind Group in the 1980s in an effort to combat the quartz crisis. Shop a collection of Girard-Perregaux watches from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Yes, Girard-Perregaux is considered a luxury watch brand. This Swiss watchmaking brand is considered one of the oldest fine watchmaking manufacturers still in operation, with a grand history of exceptional watches and a dedication to excellence. Since 2011 the company has become a part of the French luxury group Kering. Shop a collection of Girard Perregaux watches from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

The history of Girard-Perregaux watches began in 1791, when forward-looking Geneva-born watchmaker Jean-François Bautte signed his first watches. From there, Bautte worked to establish a watch manufacturing company in his native city, where he promoted putting all the aspects of watchmaking within one facility, a pioneering idea for the era. Later, watchmaker Constant Girard founded the Girard & Cie Firm in 1852, and after he married Marie Perregaux (part of a celebrated chronometer family), the Girard-Perregaux Manufacture was founded in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, in 1856. Like Bautte, Girard-Perregaux undertook all elements of the horological process in-house. In 1906, the company — then under the leadership of the couple’s son, Constant Girard-Gallet — acquired Maison Bautte, joining its historic legacy with the company’s own. Girard-Perregaux continued to make technological advancements over the years, amassing nearly 80 horological patents and introducing numerous innovations. In 2011, the company became part of the Kering Group. Girard-Perregaux continues to operate out of its factory in La Chaux-de-Fonds, making it one of the oldest watchmakers in Switzerland. Its current logo — a watch bridge — celebrates the company’s heritage while looking ahead to the future. Explore a large collection of Girard-Perregaux watches on 1stDibs.

Where Girard-Perregaux ranks in watches is somewhat subjective. However, Girard-Perregaux is one of the oldest watchmakers in Switzerland and is widely respected. Standout designs in the company's rich offerings over the years have included the 1884 Tourbillon with three gold bridges spanning the watch dial and framing the horological movement; the first quartz movement watch made in Switzerland in 1971, which set the global standard for quartz watches; the 2008 Constant Escapement L.M. that maintains constant energy on its escapement, solving a long-standing problem of mechanical watch precision; and the Girard-Perregaux 2020 Infinity made with precious onyx. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Girard-Perregaux watches.

Girard-Perregaux watches are so expensive for a few reasons. First, the luxury watchmaker uses costly fine materials to craft its timepieces and powers them with components built entirely in-house. What's more, manufacturing at Girard-Perregaux is a painstaking process that can take months. Consequently, labor costs for producing Girard-Perregaux watches are high. Although the company did launch an initiative to increase its annual production in 2023, it still makes fewer watches annually than many other makers. High demand for Girard-Perregaux watches combined with a limited supply drives up prices. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Girard-Perregaux watches.