Collection
Nilomis shares his journey to acquiring a Girard-Perregaux 156 F1 Ref. 4945 chronograph, inspired by a fellow collector's post. This article highlights the challenges and triumphs of finding a specific GP model in a market with low demand, offering a personal narrative of passion and perseverance. Readers will gain insight into the unique appeal of GP chronographs and the satisfaction of a successful hunt.
The Girard-Perregaux reference 4946 is a notable example from the brand's production during the 1960s, representing a period of design evolution for the manufacturer. This reference is characterized by its understated aesthetic, reflecting the prevailing design sensibilities of the era for dress watches. It offers a clear indication of Girard-Perregaux's approach to automatic timekeeping in a more compact form factor, distinguishing it from larger or more complicated offerings of the time.
The watch features a stainless steel case measuring 34mm in diameter, a size typical for men's watches of its decade. It is fitted with an acrylic crystal, common for watches of this period, providing durability and ease of maintenance. The timepiece is powered by the automatic GP Caliber 39, which provides a power reserve of approximately 40 hours. The dial is presented in a silver finish, complemented by a fixed bezel and a leather strap.
This reference appeals to collectors interested in vintage Girard-Perregaux pieces that embody the brand's mid-century design language and mechanical craftsmanship. Its straightforward date complication and classic proportions make it a versatile piece for those seeking a historically accurate representation of the brand's output. The 4946 offers a glimpse into the foundational elements that would influence later Girard-Perregaux designs.
These GP Chronos are very nice. Sensual, elegant... If only they didn't have this date! ;) Enjoy yours, it is a pure beauty, even with the Date. :) Best, Nilo and congratulations! Nicolas
where you can hide the date window if you don't need to have that information. maybe something like a sliding cover. could be a mechanical nightmare though.
What JLC did for the TT DSA.... Whiich houses a Cal 956 which normally provides the date. Best, Nicolas
I love your pictures! You manage to make a handsome watch even nicer! A great choice for your (growing) GP collection! Cheers, Daos
I just got my first GP few weeks ago and I LOVE it, very nice photos too! En passant, Mario Andretti won the Formula1 Championship in 1978, although born in Italy, he was American when he won:) Kind regards from cold Down Under! Francois
I own two identical watches (Longines LLD) with and without date and it seems that every time that I need the date I'm wearing the without the date. There are companies that implements the date disk better (The LLD date, as an example). Others, like Rolex and the ugly (IMHO) cyclops ... thanks but no thanks. Back to the GP, I like it with the date at 4:30 that does not disturbs the balance as the ones at 3. Thanks to all, Nilo
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