Collection
crown comfort shares a personal journey of reacquiring his first Girard-Perregaux Richeville 2750, detailing the evolution of its dial and strap choices. This narrative offers a unique collector's perspective on the emotional connection to watches, the pursuit of specific configurations, and the art of strap pairing.
Since about 18 months ago, when I for some reason (I have erased that part in my memory) sold my very first GP I owned, the Richeville 2750, I have been thinking about acquiring it back. I’m sure I must have had my reasons at that time, probably funded another GP or already had quite a number of other Richevilles in my collection, but when you look at the budgets involved, it did not make sense.
Here is a photo of my previous Richeville 2750, I let go.
Now you need to know that when I bought this Richeville back in 1997 it actually had a blue dial (Roman numerals) and a tan brown strap, like this (sorry, only found this photo on the WWW with plastic wrap).
I was living in Hong Kong at that time and most of the year it is pretty hot and humid, so the brown strap did not have a long lifespan and when I came across the black dial with the exploding numerals, I took the watch into the Hong Kong GP service centre and had it changed to black/black. I’m sure they had returned to me the old blue dial, but I must have lost that during one of my moves.
Then 6 months ago, I saw a Richeville blue dial with Arabic “exploding” numerals and tan brown strap for sale in excellent condition and I wanted to jump on it. Unfortunately, the deal fell through as the seller was not keen to ship overseas and we also could not agree a reasonable price.
In the end and what I learned over the years, patience will pay off one day and this is how I found this blue dial, Arabic numerals Richeville 2750 from a dealer in the U.S.:
It had a non-original strap, so I had it shipped without.
Straps:
Talking about straps. I’m quite peculiar about that part. I have experimented with non-original replacement straps, but it’s somehow not right and not satisfying. So over time I have built up a collection of GP straps and grab them whenever they are on offer. Sometimes, I find myself buying a strap and then thinking about which watch I need to get to match it with that strap. A little mad, I know.
Combinations:
So here we go, getting ready available options for the blue dial Richeville. Some are used on other watches, but there were 5 possibilities:
The medium brown with small scales?
Okay, but I think we can do better.
Maybe darker brown with white stitching?
Good, but I really don’t want to take that strap off the Richeville 2520 with black dial. So let’s keep on trying…
That’s coming very close, but again, this strap just harmonizes so well with the yellow gold bezel of the other 2520, so not a chance.
Blue Strap:
This is also how this dial version is pictured in the catalogue:
A strong combination and a strong contender. I may wear that combo later on
However, I think the winner is:
Here the contrast to the blue dial just comes out best, IMHO.
So a few more shots of the winning combo.
The Richeville reference 2520 is a distinctive tonneau-shaped timepiece from Girard-Perregaux, known for its curved case design that conforms to the wrist. This reference is part of a collection that offered various dial configurations and materials, appealing to collectors seeking a blend of classic watchmaking with a unique aesthetic. It represents a period where Girard-Perregaux explored different forms beyond traditional round cases, establishing the Richeville as a recognizable line within their catalog.
This particular reference typically features a case crafted from precious metals, housing an automatic movement. The curved sapphire crystal complements the tonneau shape, providing clear visibility of the dial. While specific dimensions can vary slightly across Richeville models, the 2520 maintains a balanced proportion suitable for daily wear. The movement is designed to offer reliable timekeeping with a practical power reserve.
Collectors are drawn to the Richeville 2520 for its elegant form factor and the variety of dial executions, including options with Roman or Arabic numerals, and different color schemes. The ability to customize or change dial configurations, as noted by collectors, adds an interesting layer to its history and collectibility. It appeals to those who appreciate watches with a strong design identity and a departure from more common case shapes, making it a notable piece in the brand's modern history.
Very nice piece and great choice on the strap. Honey brown and the blue dial look terrific. Enjoy, John
.. continue to wear her in the best of your health !! Also a really nice choice for "her boots", well done ! :) Or as has been said "Paradise lost - Paradise regained " (John Milton) Best, hs
Congratulation, CC! I am very happy for you, my friend! :) And the blue/brown combo looks awesome! I must say that I like the Arabic number dial better than the Roman. And the red accents in combination with the blue...! :) Looking forward to many more photos. Best Blomman
Also a pity they stopped the first Richville series! Best Blomman
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