The Girard-Perregaux Constant Force Escapement has been perfected and cased-up for public enjoyment and viewing in time for BaselWorld – welcome to the new world of watchmaking precision.

Nicolas Déhon created it, Rolex rejected it, and its inspiration – so the story goes – involves its inventor’s observation of the amassment and dispersal of the energy of a train ticket which he was idly handling – but of course that is only part of the story, the end product which has required more than five years of research and development is not that simple, and like every new development in watchmaking it involves mathematics, classical physics, quantum physics and geometry.

Among the illustrious exhibits at the British Museum is an Experimental Table Clock made by Thomas Mudge circa 1754.  This timepiece contains the watchmakers first lever escapement, by far the most common type still in use today albeit in a modified and refined form.  Its inspiration most certainly did not come from an epiphany moment while Mr. Mudge formed a “C” with his train ticket, because his ingenious solution to timekeeping precision came nearly a century before a network of railways existed in England.

Both escapements were created to solve the same conundrum, that of loss of amplitude as the power from the main spring decreases.  But which is most impressive? The one which was created by gas light using rudimentary tools, or the one which is produced under sterile “clean room” conditions involving the most cutting-edge equipment available?

Actually both are, and I suspect you knew that already.  Both are of considerable importance to the industy and curiously both are also brave.

Thomas Mudge, apprenticed to George Graham, would have felt compelled to not only assume the mantle of his former Master, but also to elevate his own standing.  His reputation and standing were dependent on the scourge of watchmakers at that time, the increasingly demanding requirements of the Board of Longitude.

For Girard-Perregaux, bringing forth the next generation of escapement required considerable investment and also a healthy portion of audacity.  This is a finicky industry full of sharp-eyed experts, even the layman is knowledgeable.  If there are flaws they will be found – but there is much to gain, in watchmaking terms the pursuit of perfection is the daddy.

At the heart of “new watchmaking” is silicon.  For this mechanism a single piece of silicon, measured in microns is compressed causing both halves to bend.  When force is appled to this almost imperceptible strip of silicon, it becomes extremely well behaved and produces a precise quantity of energy as it changes from one direction to the other.  Thus constant power is delivered to the oscillator which means constant amplitude and constant rate.  We all knew this was coming but it is nonetheless a fine feather for  Girard-Perregaux’s horological cap.

Symmetry plays a structural role in the fundamental make-up of the calibre, and these elements translate superbly from movement to dial.  The constant force mechanism demands and receives dial domination taking up the lower dial.  A pristine subdial for the hours and minutes is flanked by the twin escapement wheels and over on the left a linear power reserve adds further aesthetic balance.   The piece is housed in a 48mm white gold case.

No other industry represents and combines the traditional with the technological, the old and the new quite like watchmaking.  Girard-Perregaux bring to this model the echoes of the past, the iconic Bridges alongside some components which are unlike anything we have seen before – to stunning effect.

Without doubt this is a showcase piece and one which Girard-Perregaux will be proud to exhibit to the public this year – if you have the chance, go-see – this is horological history in the making.  As for the Thomas Mudge Experimental Table Clock?  It is thought that Mudge created it with the intention of submitting it to the ‘Board of Longitude’ for the longitude prize, but then decided it was not quite good enough.  This is indeed a finicky industry.

More from Girard-Perregaux here.

More Girard-Perregaux from me here.

More on the Thomas Mudge Clock here.

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New for  2013 is the Girard-Perregaux 1966 Small Seconds.

Reassuringly unchanged, charmingly classical, the 1966 Collection from Girard-Perregaux presents an opportunity to attain some in-house smugness without so much as a hint of outward indulgence.

Created in honour of the brand’s many achievements and awards for research and development of high frequency movements, it is an exceptional collection and one which remains part of the brand’s bread-and-butter – in a crusts cut off/on a silver platter sort of manner.

This year the small seconds returns and is placed on a dial bereft of numerals, so that its subdial is the main focus, but – its presence is balanced by the perfect little date window at 3 o’clock.  For these new editions, the design department at  Girard-Perregaux have outdone themselves both really are quite magnificent.

The silvered opaline is the epitome of understated elegance, and the sun-brushed cognac version is resplendent and more than a little suggestive of the oakiness of a very good vintage – the images provided do not do these editions justice, these handsome specimens need to be seen lounging on the wrist to be enjoyed.

Subtleties make this collection special, and these editions have delicately faceted hour markers to reflect the light, a slightly recessed small seconds subdial and marginally curved sapphire and dial.  The pink gold case measures 41mm and the warmth and luxury of this precious metal adds to the refinement and makes perfect these most excellent new pieces.

The Girard-Perregaux 1966 Small Seconds for 2013 are powered by the automatic mechanical caliber GP01890-0003 with 54 hours of power reserve, which winds itself using of its pink gold rotor.

More at the Girard-Perregaux official website here.

More Girard-Perregaux from us here.

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If, like me, you enjoy a well written and presented watch portal, perhaps you should be aware of  “The Mechanics of Style” from Girard-Perregaux.  The site does not simply focus on the brand’s collection, but offers a compendium of articles -  global insights, luxury escapism, real people and real places – all are included.  Although entitled “A Journal For The Modern Gentleman” it is even a feast for girly eyes such as mine and is a fine example of a very traditional company engaging with its fans using  “new media”…. which brings me to this, the Mechanics of Style 2013 Fiction Contest.

Those with a penchant for the written word can submit a short story into which some literary product placement of a model from the Girard-Perregaux collection should be included.  Six finalists will have their fiction published on the site, with a rather splendid Girard-Perregaux Three Gold Bridges Tourbillon fountain pen on offer for the winner …  now that’s a novel idea.

More details at the Mechanics of Style site here.

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The new simplified structure of the Girard-Perregaux portfolio, which I wrote about recently will concentrate on some of the brand’s best known collections as well as some new and exciting projects to be unveiled later in the year.

For now, we  feature the new Girard-Perregaux 1966 Minute Repeater Annual Calendar and Equation of Time, a model which personifies GP’s commitment to the collection which was originally created to celebrate a time when the company achieved recognition for its research and development with regard to high frequency movements.

The addition of the highly complex Minute Repeater mechanism and the challenge of re-designing a watchcase required to resonate its acoustics ensures that the 1966 collection, a favourite of many Girard-Perregaux enthusiasts, now has another model placed firmly in the upper echelon of haute horlogerie.

Despite the quirky compendium of shapes, forms and sizes of the indications Girard-Perregaux’s designers have achieved a harmonious dial balance.  The pointer date, the largest dial indication located between one and two o’clock should dominate, but strangely it does not.  Its opposite, the more diminutive month aperture also demands immediate attention, perhaps thanks to its downward pointing applied marker which draws the eye toward it.  Further equipoise is to be discovered in the arc of the Equation of Time indication and the activity of the seconds dial at 9 o’clock.  Such symmetry requires design dexterity and much consideration.

Finishing will be to fastidious standards, from the silver sunburst dial with its individually applied diamond powder-coated hands and markers to the Girard-Perrgaux in-house calibre E09-0003 with its rhodium-plated and circular grained plates and hand bevelled and decorated bridges.

The Girard-Perregaux 1966 Minute Repeater Annual Calendar and Equation of Time is presented with a re-designed and slightly upsized 42mm pink gold case and will be a limited edition of 15 pieces.

More information and specs at the brand’s official website

My previous article regarding the new simplified structure of the Girard-Perregaux portfolio here.

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Girard-Perregaux have recently released two new models, a new Sea Hawk which I will feature in the coming weeks and this – the totally handsome Chrono Hawk – perhaps the most important new watch released by Girard-Perregaux in recent times.

Changes are a-foot at Girard-Perregaux.  In July 2011 PPR (you will perhaps know them as the “Gucci Group”) took a majority holding in Sowind (GP and JeanRichard).  For PPR this naturally means a foothold into the world of in-house Haute Horlogerie and for Sowind the personnel changes made are now filtering down into what the public see -  their portfolios.

A few years ago Zenith appointed a new boss, Jean-Frédéric Dufour.  He inherited the mammoth task of slimming down the collection of models which the brand had amassed in previous years.  His trimming down of Zenith’s portfolio helped the company re-discover the classical styling and traditional values which had made the brand so special in the first place.  Recent models, in particular the trio of superb Pilot’s watches of 2012 bear witness to his successful new vision for Zenith.

Similarly Michele Sofisti, the new director of operations of Sowind has made a number of key changes,  notably the rejuvenation of JeanRichard.  But what of Girard-Perregaux?  Such a company, with its heritage of historic watchmaking would surely require careful handling.  Last year’s appointment of Dominique Loiseau should bear some very technical horological fruit in the near future, but already the portfolio is being tweaked with some slimming down of its collections.  In the pipeline will be a new collection for women (bravo!) and it will be Baselworld this year, not SIHH which will provide the showcase for new models.  But for now an identified shortfall in that most lucrative and crowd-pleasing of genres gets his team’s attention – that of men’s sports watches, and in double-quick time a new and very important addition has been created, the Chrono Hawk – a piece representative of the new administration and its new vision for Girard-Perregaux.

The Chrono Hawk conforms to all the requirements of a modern sports timer – slightly sculpted case, spot-on sizing at 44mm, interesting but readable dial, superbly integrating strap.  Steel construction ensures mid-pricing with the option to add techy and pricey materials later.

There are many subtleties to enjoy on this cleverly designed piece – the dial recesses deeply, falling away from the brushed bezel, there is more recessing on the counters which are snailed in the centre and on the sculpted caseside the pushers incline gently.  There is symmetry too – in the bi-compax dial layout and in its repeating honeycomb  background which replicates the company’s arrow-head bridge.

Inside is the in-house GP 3300 calibre with chronograph module, viewable through caseback sapphire.  The Chrono Hawk will be available with a choice of black or white dial – same watch, completely dissimilar in appearance but both with comparative degrees of desirability especially if you are partial to a chronograph dial of such equipoise.  Which I am.

More information and specs at the Girard-Perregaux website.

My other Girard-Perregaux Articles here.

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Girard-Perregaux describe their Vintage 1945 Collection as “timeless” and as one which “is distinguished by its undeniable elegance” – they’re not wrong.  Since it’s creation, it has become the perfect Art Deco frame for some exquisite dials, including the brand’s acclaimed trio of arrow-headed bridges and more recently the jaw-droppingly beautiful craftsmanship of the Le Corbusier Trilogy. It is convex and curvy and those  distinctive lugs, although the epitome of understatement are fully functional wrist hugging devices.

Now there is a new addition, the Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 XXL Chrono with a pair of counters which, compared to the three counter dial editions, look perfectly at home and do not detract from its supreme architecture in the slightest.

As with all good design, it’s about symmetry and it’s about proportions and Girard-Perregaux have expertise in both disciplines.  The counters are usable, but not dominant and there is still lots of empty dial space to enjoy.  The best features remain – diminutive applied numerals laid neatly, following the outline of a fine railtrack, blued hands and the subtle, but very vintage inclusion of the red “60″ and “30″ on the counters.

The Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 XXL Chrono measures 37mm x 36mm x 12.7mm, is constructed from 18 carat rose gold and comes presented on a black alligator strap.

More information at the official Girard-Perregaux website.

And while you’re here how about a look-back at GP’s superb releases of this year?

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Gerard-Perregaux have a new edition of their acclaimed world timer watch, the Girard-Perregaux ww.tc Chronograph White Ceramic and true to form, it’s a handsome devil.

GP really do make a superb world timer, it’s a WatchPress.com favourite and why not?  With 24 instantly readable timezones plus a chronograph function, it is practical, useable and has foolproof operation as standard, thanks to its ingenious design.  Girard-Perregaux’s designers have added some very trick styling to the collection of late, releasing some highly desirable limited edition pieces, including the tuxedo-esque Panda and it’s polar opposite, the almost blacked out Dark Night ww.tc.

Last November I reviewed  the Girard-Perregaux ww.tc Cabinet de Curiosités Thomas Erber, an almost unattainable release of just 5 pieces and I stated that such exhibitions encourage design departments to exercise creativity and I expressed my hope that elements of such showcase pieces would eventually filter down into mainstream portfolios – I was right – sort of…. yes, GP have used that piece as inspiration for the ww.tc White Ceramic – and no … this one is hardly mainstream, after all, only 20 pieces will be made.

The original has been tweaked with some subtleties, the choice white ceramic case with contrasting black rubber pushers and crowns remain providing optimum contrast, but whereas the “Thomas Erber” had a more neutral middle dial with white counters, this one offers the added distinction of black counters.  The press release describes the addition of smoked sapphire, although the images of the earlier 5 piece edition appeared positively sultry in comparison.

Quash any views you may have about the femininity of a white ceramic case, this watch at 43mm across and with its robust construction is as manly as ever, and if you have the resources and the connections to manage to strap one to your wrist, then hats off, have courage, wear with pride.

A look-back at the Girard-Perregaux ww.tc Cabinet de Curiosités Thomas Erber?

Or perhaps while you’re here a look-see at our extensive GP archives?

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Girard-Perregaux The Le Corbusier Trilogy

The Vintage 1945 case is meritorious indeed.  Convex and curvy with distinctive lugs and a well behaved tucked-in crown.  So far we have only featured it twice, both times its generous Art Deco form framed the brand’s trio of arrow-headed bridges.  The Girard-Perregaux Le Corbusier Collection are no less praiseworthy, with each presenting very different technical challenges to GP’s craftsmen and women due to the nature of the materials used for their unique and quite frankly jaw-droppingly beautiful dials. This collection is best presented, not by description, but through images released by the brand.

Three will be produced each a tribute to Le Corbusier, a lifelong vanguard of design and architecture.  A mother-of-pearl model, the Vintage 1945 le Corbusier La Chaux-de-Fonds, which takes seven days to meticulously handwork the slivers of the material to form the pattern and which is presented in an 18 carat pink gold case …..

The Vintage 1945 Le Corbusier Marseille, with a highly unusual concrete dial and presented in a stainless steel case ….

And the Vintage 1945 Le Corbusier Paris featuring a hand engraved metal dial, presented in a stainless steel case and which features the iconic “cowhide” strap.

Each model in the Girard-Perregaux Le Corbusier Trilogy will be powered by the GP 3300-0078 movement and each will be reassuringly limited to an ultra-exclusive 5 pieces per edition.

More information at the Girard-Perregaux website.

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Girard Perregaux take one of their Haute Horlogerie pieces and give it a satin smooth stealthy coating of Diamond-Like Carbon.  This is the Girard Perregaux DLC Titanium Bi-Axial Tourbillon.

Girard Perregaux – “Mechanics of Time Since 1791″.   Naturally this is a brand proud of its watchmaking history, but it is also one which is firmly committed to its future, with particular regard to its next generation of watchmakers, a talented selection of whom have been involved in its New Face of Tradition and who are currently taking part in its Young Watchmakers Tour.  Not only that, but the brand have also, of late, become adept at showcasing some of its Haute Horlogerie pieces with some very modernistic styling and cutting-edge materials.  Recently we have featured a superb ww.tc with a sultry smoked sapphire crystal and a Laureato Tourbillon with three lucid blue spinel bridges.

A Bi-Axial or Double-Axis Tourbillon is like a miniature fortress, created to protect the accuracy of the movement even further from the effects of the earth’s gravity. It is in fact a tourbillon within a tourbillon, each of which rotate at different speeds providing a mesmerising spectacle.  Complex would not even begin to describe the intricate nature of its construction which comprises 113 components weighing in total under one gram.  It’s assembly would befuddle all but the most experienced and patient of watchmakers.

The titanium case measures 45mm across and sapphire crystals front and back allow for a perfect panorama of the intrinsics – inside is the in-house GPEO201 manual wind movement with twin barrels providing a substantial 72 hours of power reserve.

The Girard Perregaux DLC Titanium Bi-Axial Tourbillon will be limited to 8 pieces.

…. And while your’re here perhaps a look-see at the pieces I mentioned in the article?

The  Girard-Perregaux ww.tc Cabinet de Curiosités (with smoked sapphire – and white ceramic case)….

….. and the Laureato Tourbillon with Three Bridges (a superb combination of titanium, platinum and lucent sapphire)

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I have said it before and I’ll say it again, Girard-Perregaux make the best world timer wristwatch – 24 time zones instantly readable + date +  chronograph.   Now there’s a new monochromed model to add to the collection – the tuxedo, the panda – call it what you will – it’s still readable, still usable, still foolproof and it still looks great.

This collection has featured many variations, most of them limited releases, but it is such a horological feather in the cap for Girard-Perregaux and is so-acclaimed that almost everyone in the watch media will remember a particular edition and almost everyone will have a favourite.  Recent pieces include an ultra-exclusive white ceramic case/white dial piece, with a sultry smoked sapphire crystal, and it’s antithesis – a blacked-out, black ceramic case edition which still managed to remain completely legible – all proof that when you have a well designed product, when the details that make the design are nigh on perfect, then it can and will absorb everything that your design department wish to thow at it, and GP’s ww.tc does this with style.

This piece has a silver dial as a backdrop for the black counters, which together with the subtle but vibrant inclusion of red provides a superb combination.  Some editions of GP’s ww.tc. feature a full set of Arabic numerals which graduate in size, and are often gobbled up by the overlaid counters, but this one sacrifices all but the outsize number “12″ making for supreme dial clarity.  The stainless steel case measures 43mm and inside is the GP manufacture GP0330 movement with the high standard of finishing and attention to detail synonymous with this brand. Often press release images fail to do justice to the watch they are meant to showcase, this is one such occasion, but make no mistake, black counters on a dial as well designed as this one will look outstanding on the wrist.

More information at the Girard-Perregaux Official Website.

Perhaps while you’re here you’d like to dip into our Girard-Perregaux archive.

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This design shouldn’t work – but it just, does – the Girard-Perregaux ww.tc Dark Night limited edition watch.

A Worldtimer is a most useful timepiece, one which is capable of displaying instantly readable time in 24 world locations and Girard-Perregaux combine theirs with a flyback chronograph, a date indication and some very trick styling.  The use of two mobile discs, one for the 24 hours which synchronises with the hour hand, and one for the 24 city locations, adjustable via the crown at 9 o’clock makes for ingenious, fool proof functionality……… but this one is different.  Normally the hour ring has nicely co-ordinating colours ensuring superb day/night contrast.  In other editions the numerals are stand-out, appearing pristine white against a darkened dial for quick and accurate time reading -  even when they are gobbled up by the counters and even when the ww.tc’s dial features only markers, it manages to maintain its readability despite having such a busy dial….. So what happens when almost the whole thing is blackened?

…… Like I’ve said, it shouldn’t work, but it just – does.  This one is white on black with just a hint of red.  No contrasting hour ring, just 24 hours marked in subtle red and white and no stand-out numerals, instead white simply outlines the black profile of each visible number.  Having been through variations and editions aplenty, it would seem that this handsome, almost entirely monochrome version is just about as blacked out as it gets.

The Girard-Perregaux ww.tc Dark Night features a 43mm black ceramic case with tough, tactile rubber pushers and crown.  Inside is the acclaimed GP03387 self-winding calibre, visible through tinted sapphire on the caseback.  The piece will be a limited edition of just 25 pieces available for purchase only in the U.S.A.

More?

Another blacked-out beauty – the Girard-Perregaux ww.tc Shadow New York

… and it’s antithesis – a white ceramic case ultra-limited edition

Popularity: 3% [?]

This is the Girard-Perregaux Sea Hawk 1000 Big Blue made to raise awareness of ocean conservation.  Naturally you would expect it to feature a blue dial.  And it does.  But with such a striking shade of blue used on both its dial and its strap, you would have to say – this piece is just about as pleagic as a divers watch can be.

The last GP Sea Hawk 1000 we featured was the more than impressive all-green edition auctioned to raise funds for the protection and conservation of the environment.  The Big Blue edition is also a benevolent gesture.  It is also colourful.  And it is also a stunning addition to the fine, sporty Sea Hawk collection.

The Sea Hawk collection has all the safety features to ensure a safe dive – screw down caseback and crown, unidirectional rotating bezel and an anti-bends helium decompression valve to ensure that it won’t implode, but with in-built GP styling it still remains slightly understated.  It is robust, but it’s not too chunky.  The bezel is serrated, but not too jagged.  The case bulges to accomodate the ergonomic crown, but not too much.  The small seconds counter and power reserve indicator interlock slightly, but not too much…… the Girard-Perregaux design department even resist the urge to co-ordinate all that vivid blue with some equally animated orange, wisely opting for just a hint of green and a sminch of red – but not too much.

On the lightly textured dial, the power reserve indicator features a world map in miniature and on the caseback is the supercool Sea Hawk engraving, with the addition of the enscription “Protect What is Precious”.

Inside is the GP033RO automatic calibre with a power reserve of 46 hours safely enclosed to withstand 1000 metres of water resistance in a 44mm steel case.

The Girard-Perregaux Sea Hawk 1000 Big Blue will be a limited edition of 15 pieces.

More from Girard-Perregaux in our superb archives here.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Mmmmm – the Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 Tourbillon With Three Gold Bridges in pink gold?  If you are a GP enthusiast this may sound just a little bit familiar, it is more or less the same model presented in 2009.  But it matters not, if you flutter like a moth towards the flame that is exclusivity, then rest easy – just 50 pieces of each pink gold edition will be/have been made and that’s a small number in a big horological world.

This pink gold edition features a new anthracite backdrop for the trio of arrow-headed bridges, it is a small detail but one which will ensure that the already dramatic movement alignment is even more effective, such is the contrast.  The GP 9600 movement is a showcase for the brand, one which they continue to nurture,  bestowing on it their most talented and patient Master Watchmakers.  These are individuals who consider it no inconvenience that the skeletonisation and polishing of the bridges will take days of meticulous handcrafting, these are individuals who acknowledge that the 72 parts of its tourbillon must be arranged in the confines of just 12 millimeters.  Not only that, these are individuals who relish these challenges.

Patented in 1884 in pocketwatch form, the concept first appeared in its miniaturised wristwatch form placed in a rounded case in 1991, but it is the Vintage 1945 case which best personifies the calibre.  The lines, curves and angles – pure Art Deco – conform with the neatly lined up bridges in complete accord in ways which a rounded case simply cannot.

The Three Gold Bridges movement created by Constant Girard-Perregaux caused a sensation and earned him a gold medal at the 1889 Paris Universal Exhibition -  reveal this Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 edition in a room full of watch aficionados and a sensational reaction followed by hushed reverence will be guaranteed.

More GP limited editions??

The White Gold Edition – limited to 50 pieces

Or how about a Laureato case edition with three “blue spindel” bridges?

Or something completely different – a Girard-Perregaux with a Ferrari on the caseback….

We’d just love you to like us ….on Facebook – just follow the links, oh and we also tweet too…

Popularity: 2% [?]

What a finicky industry this is.  We make a fuss over the most minuscule details of each timepiece which is unveiled to our critical eye.  Such is the case with the Girard-Perregaux 1966 Chronograph 42mm.  Only a few coin-edged widths have been added – hardly an “up-size” yet at once the proportions have been changed.

The 1966 Chronograph is one of the most classically styled in its category, and yes, an extra 2mm does make a difference.  There’s a little extra empty dial space between the counters.  The tachymetric scale is just a wee bit clearer and more readable.  There is even enough room now for some elegant applied numerals to compliment the larger number “12″.

This one has been given a silver opaline dial, a vintage backdrop for the blued hands and a fine choice for the pink gold applied numerals and case. Inside is one of Girard-Perregaux’s acclaimed chronograph movements, the GP 3300-0057 featuring a decorated gold oscillating weight which gives a power reserve of 46 hours.

All-in-all you’d have to say it’s another exceptional model to add to an equally exceptional collection.  And it’s almost perfect – apart from that dastardly date indication at 6 o’clock which has no business being there at all.  It upsets the newly acquired dial space.  It disrupts the balance.  Without it there could have been an applied number “6″, perhaps a little smaller than the “12″, a little bigger than its neighbouring “7″ and “4″ – oh what could have been…… but like I said, this is a finicky industry.

The Girard-Perregaux 1966 Chronograph 42mm comes presented on an alligator leather strap with pink gold buckle.

More Girard-Perregaux 1966 pieces?

Last year’s 1966 Blue Dial Chronograph

This year’s 1966 Small Seconds for SIHH 2012

And the unexpectedly fussy 1966 Jewellery

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The Girard-Perregaux 1966 Jewellery is not what you’d normally expect from this collection.  It is the antithesis of the pure, pristine Grand Feu enamelled dials of past releases, it is in complete contrast to the unfussy, blued-handed, classic styling that we know and love.  This one has been bejewelled in the extreme, yet it matters not – it is still elegant and slender and it still showcases the celebratory 1966 Collection beautifully.

As far as diamond-setting goes, this one requires painstaking craftsmanship and nothing escapes their brilliance.  There are an array of stones – 72 on the newly skinneyed bezel and 713 on the dial – and it is not simply a flat carpeting, the dial is slightly curvey, so the jewels emanate from the centre in a sparkling spectacle, and in true vintage style, the sapphire crystal is also convex.

All other details are subtle, slender hands, elongated markers at each dial quarter and the Girard-Perregaux name etched onto the sapphire crystal.  Inside is the automatic GP Calibre 3300 movement with decorated gold oscillating weight and 46 hours of power reserve.

The Girard-Perregaux 1966 Jewellery is available in white gold or pink gold case, measuring 38mm across and comes presented on an alligator leather strap.

Related Articles

The Girard-Perregaux 1966 Small Seconds – SIHH 2011

The Girard-Perregaux 1966 Perpetual Calendar

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