Last weekend offered one of those rare opportunities where elegance, heritage and the pinnacle of technical achievement converged in perfect harmony. An exceptional two-day experience unfolded through the impeccable collaboration of three names synonymous with distinction: Centro Porsche Ticino, Bucherer Lugano, and the revered Swiss watchmaker Girard-Perregaux.
Curated with extraordinary attention to detail by Luca Rifugio, Director of Centro Porsche Ticino, Davide Oggianu, Private Client Manager at Bucherer Lugano, and Eugenia Varzi, Customer Experience Coordinator at Girard-Perregaux. This experience became a narrative of excellence that unfolded gently across the beautiful landscapes of Switzerland.
The journey began in Lugano on a soft afternoon, where the keys to a fleet of Porsche vehicles were handed over. Each Porsche, with its unmistakable silhouette and finely tuned engine, offered more than just luxury transportation; it promised the purest expression of driving pleasure. As we left the city behind and ventured into the heart of the Swiss countryside, the elegance of the route mirrored the refinement of the experience itself. There is something deeply poetic about crossing this land behind the wheel of such vehicles, each curve and rise in the road revealing a new vista, each moment touched by the feeling that one is precisely where they are meant to be.
The Porsche fleet made its way gracefully towards Neuchâtel. As the sun began to set, the glittering lake welcomed us to our destination: the historic and beautifully appointed Beau-Rivage Hotel. This five-star, nestled on the lakefront, offered the perfect setting to transition from the road into an evening of indulgence. With refined interiors, excellent service, and a view that seemed painted by a master’s hand, Beau-Rivage embraced us in quiet luxury.
Dinner that evening unfolded as a delicate symphony of flavours, dishes conceived with imagination and delivered with poise, each course seamlessly flowing into the next as conversation ebbed and grew around the table. It was a time to share impressions, to unwind, and to anticipate the delights of the day to come. Morning brought with it the kind of light that seems to make everything appear more meaningful. After a leisurely breakfast, we set off towards La Chaux-de-Fonds, to the beating heart of Girard-Perregaux.
One enters this manufacture not as a tourist, but as a guest, welcomed with sincerity and enveloped in a world where time is not measured, but rather honoured and sculpted. From the very first moments, it became clear that we were not simply visiting a watch factory, but entering a space where generations of mastery reside within every wall, every tool, every pair of hands. The Maison, founded in 1791, stands as one of the oldest and most revered in Swiss watchmaking.
What we witnessed was a ballet of technique and soul: artisans assembling intricate details with near-spiritual focus, polishing bridges until they sang with brilliance, and engraving fine details that could barely be seen with the naked eye. We watched, enraptured, as the iconic Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges came to life, a horological masterpiece whose beauty lies in both its complexity and serene symmetry.
The Laureato, too, made its silent statement, bold yet refined, sporting in spirit yet haute in every detail. The museum deepened this experience, offering a journey through time itself. In carefully arranged vitrines and curated spaces, Girard-Perregaux’s milestones unfolded before us: pocket watches from the 19th century, chronometric masterpieces, and contemporary icons that bridge the centuries with elegance and authority. Every room whispered a story of innovation pursued without compromise. Following this immersion into artistry, we gathered for lunch, an occasion that maintained the tone of the morning: thoughtful, quiet, and touched by beauty.
The cuisine, paired with local wines, carried the same precision and care we had seen in the watchmakers’ hands. It was, in every sense, a celebration of craft. And then came the final gesture, as touching as it was discreet: a personal gift from the Maison, offered with genuine warmth and engraved with memory. As we said our goodbyes and returned to our Porsche vehicles, there was a shared sense among all guests that something remarkable had taken place, something which, though complete in form, would linger for much longer in feeling.
The return journey to Lugano offered a relaxed opportunity to reflect on the experience we had just lived. Conversations naturally turned to the excellence of the visit and the impressive creations we had admired at Girard-Perregaux. The drive itself, in the comfort and precision of our Porsches, was smooth and enjoyable, a fitting close to two days marked by precision, craftsmanship, and impeccable organisation. We extend our sincere thanks to Bucherer Lugano, Centro Porsche Ticino, and Girard-Perregaux for bringing together their respective worlds with such cohesion and professionalism.
It was an experience that cannot be replicated because it was not just about where we went, but how we were made to feel. And that, in the truest sense of luxury, is unforgettable.
Article edited by Massimo Basile
Editor & Founder
By mb@admin
