Introducing Girard-Perregaux Unveils La Esmeralda Tourbillon Year of the Horse

February 17, 2026, marks the beginning of the Year of the Horse, and many brands are unveiling special editions to celebrate the occasion. Girard-Perregaux joins the festivities in its own way, presenting one of the most distinguished releases for the Year of the Horse, combining exclusivity, exceptional craftsmanship, and a high price point compared to the other editions we have covered so far. The Maison introduces the La Esmeralda Tourbillon "A Secret" Eternity Edition in red, a watch that blends traditional Chinese symbolism with haute horlogerie and extraordinary artisanal craftsmanship.

This limited edition builds upon a version unveiled during Geneva Watch Days 2024. A masterful blend of hand engraving, guilloché, and Grand Feu enamel, the design draws inspiration from the historic La Esmeralda pocket watch, which achieved great acclaim in 1889.

The watch features a richly decorated pink gold case measuring 43 mm in diameter and 15.1 mm in height. The case, lugs, and bezel are intricately hand-engraved with leaf motifs, while the caseband is adorned with red Grand Feu enamel that harmonizes with the dial. A box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating ensures optimal clarity.

The artistry continues on the pink gold caseback, which is engraved with three galloping horses across a sunray guilloché landscape, enhanced with Grand Feu enamel. A hidden pusher releases the caseback, revealing the automatic movement beneath the sapphire crystal.

The dial, partially skeletonized, features a movement area adorned with circular guilloché and finished with red Grand Feu enamel. As a tribute to the 1889 La Esmeralda, the dial showcases three arrow-shaped, mirror-polished gold bridges spanning horizontally, with two hand-engraved gold horses perched on them. The first bridge, positioned over the rhodium-plated barrel, has a horse on the right, while the third bridge, above the tourbillon, features a horse on the left.

The pink gold dauphine-style hour and minute hands are complemented by a blued steel hand on the tourbillon at 6 o'clock, indicating the seconds. 

Powering the watch is the automatic calibre GP09600, crafted by the brand and equipped with a discreet white gold micro-rotor located beneath the barrel. The movement beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour and offers a 50-hour power reserve.

The watch is paired with a red alligator strap secured by an engraved pink gold folding buckle. Issued in a limited edition of just 18 pieces, the red-toned La Esmeralda Tourbillon “A Secret” Eternity Edition for the Year of the Horse is priced at CHF 439,000 (approximately AED 2,090,000).

For more information visit Girard-Perregaux’s official website.