Girard-Perregaux Launch the Aston Martin Neo Bridges

One of the few genuinely interesting watch / car partnerships of the last few years, Girard-Perregaux and Aston Martin have been doing a solid job expressing both their design leanings in limited editions like the latest, British racing green Laureato. Now though, to tie in with Dubai Watch Week, they’re stepping out of the well-made, 70s-styled shoes of the Laureato and into something a little more haute horological with the Neo Bridges Aston Martin Edition.

The Neo Bridges is already a cool watch. Defined by an open dial revealing the twin mainsprings at 12 o’clock and a pair of visible bridges, one holding the balance spring in place, it’s distinctive in the extreme. It draws its lineage from early GP pocket watches with three bridges and the resulting wristwatch collection of the same name, just in a much more modern format.

Though in this instance that same layout draws inspiration from the Aston Martin DB12, a car which the marque calls the world’s first ‘super tourer’. So basically, a GT on steroids. That comes across less in the shape of the thing – everything’s pretty much par for the exceptionally manicured course for the Neo Bridges – and more in the shift of colours and materials.

The two signature central bridges have been given an emerald-coloured overhaul that’s absolutely gorgeous. They’re the focal point of the watch and what’s ostensibly a small change dramatically highlights them against the otherwise anthracite colouring of the other, background components. The green is matched on both the minute track and the contrast stitching of the textured rubber strap.

There is some co-branding on the dial, too, but rather than some oversized logo or even the textured dial that defined the previous Laureato Aston Martin editions, it’s written onto the tops of the barrels, easily missed behind the general architecture of the, for want of a better word, dial.

The case itself is a big 45mm of black DLC titanium, lightweight, hardwearing and the kind of finish you’d expect from something supercar-related. Not that it’s actually sporty; it only has 30m of water resistance and has an open dial, it’s not exactly the kind of watch you play tennis in. But the darker look suits the Neo Bridges to a tee.

Apparently, there are supposed to be elements of the DB12’s aerodynamic curves in there, but the curves that are present are also on other editions of the Neo Bridges, so that feels like a bit of a stretch. Some of the bridges may be a little straighter-edged, such as those holding the barrels in place, but it’s subtle. Less subtle – at least if you flip the watch over – is the co-branded decal on the back, a seal of approval that only slightly obscures the stunning movement.

Another strong entry into a car / watch partnership that’s already seen some solid watches. While there’s little new about the Neo Bridges Aston Martin Edition per se, the smaller changes, particularly those coloured bridges, make it an absolute stunner. Plus, it’s good to see more of the Neo Bridges as a collection, offering a very different personality from the ubiquitous Laureato. That said, with 250 pieces available, you’d be more likely to get your hands on an actual DB12.

More details at Girard-Perregaux.

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