Luxury Watch Spotlight: Perrelet

Perrelet
by: Ben Tseytlin - on Vintage & Luxury Watches

Since its inception, Perrelet has continuously made advances in watches and horology, and is most famous for its invention of the world’s first watch which was self-winding. However, this is just one of the many contributions that it has made to the mechanical watch industry, which has allowed the brand to flourish for more than two centuries.

Perrelet Watch Styles

Perrelet watches, both past and present, are known for their avant garde style as well as their exceptionally high technical standards. They are also extraordinarily precise, a consequence of the brand’s adherence to physics, mathematics and even astronomy. By 1823 the brand introduced watches which were so impressive that Perrelet became the preferred watchmaker of multiple European kings.

Historically, Perrelet watches have also been prized for their chronograph counters. They were first introduced at exhibitions in the 1820s, and incorporated various aspects of astronomy and physics into their operation. Patents were registered and upon the watch’s release Perrelet earned an award from the prestigious Academie des Sciences by 1830.

For the next 150 years Perrelet continued to maintain its profitability in Europe while slowly expanding internationally. It wouldn’t make a new breakthrough until 1995, with the invention of the world’s very first caliber which is double rotor; a completely unique system that attaches the automatic system’s winding height to the dial side rotor. It was the Dipteros watch which first displayed it and it was considered by enthusiasts and industry insiders alike to signal the future for the brand, while setting the stage for even newer developments.

Wearing Your Perrelet

Perrelet watches today are extremely diverse. There are models and styles for every occasion, whether casual or formal. The turbine model was first introduced in 2009 and incorporates a weight which oscillates on the dial side which becomes a propeller which produces a spectacular impression due to its rotational speed. Many of the newer models utilize this feature which makes the watch perfect for those who want to stand out by wearing something that is truly artistic and dynamic.

The newest Perrelet watches utilize the Caliber P-321, which is the first manufactured movement which was completely designed inside its workshops. Cutting edge horological mechanisms are added to the base caliber, giving the company total manufacturing autonomy which maximizes it creative freedom and allows for designs and styles which are unmatched and unrivaled by anyone else.

Over the last 200 years Perrelet has demonstrated its creative aptitude and this is inherent in their watches. Their Turbillon model is very popular with enthusiasts due to the ingenious combination of adding the tourbillon caliber with a turbine. Due to the extreme durability and precision of these watches they are perfect for men or women who are pilots or who engage in other extreme sports or outdoor activities. The Turbine Pilot is a model introduced in 2014 which was designed for aviators.