Vintage
Crown comfort's 'Wednesday Rewind' revisits the Girard-Perregaux Vintage 45 Le Corbusier 2015 Limited Edition, a unique timepiece that pays homage to the legendary architect. This article highlights the watch's distinctive concrete dial, a direct nod to Le Corbusier's mastery of the material and his architectural legacy. It serves as a reminder of Girard-Perregaux's artistic tributes and innovative material use in watchmaking.
Friends,
A little bit over 2 years ago GP launched a Limited Edition of the Vintage 45 dedicated to Le Corbusier with a concrete dial.
Yes, you read correctly, a dial made from concrete. Why concrete, of course Le Corbusier was a master of concrete and modern architecture.
Le Corbusier was also closely connected to La Chaux-de-Fonds where a number of mansions by Le Corbusier can be found.
The Girard-Perregaux Vintage 45 Le Corbusier is a very artistic tribute to a great architect and visionary and also kind of crazy to make a concrete dial.
That’s exactly what GP has demonstrated in the past, thinking outside the box and embrace the new to create something unique.
The special concrete is applied by hand into a form and each dial is unique with slight colour differences and small imperfections from the manufacturing process.
The look on the wrist is very special and a real eye-catcher.
CC
The Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 line, introduced in 1994, draws inspiration from historical models, specifically a 1945 Art Deco piece. This collection is characterized by its rectangular or tonneau-shaped cases and a design language that evokes mid-20th century aesthetics. The Vintage 1945 series quickly became a cornerstone of Girard-Perregaux's offerings in the 1990s, reinterpreting classic forms with contemporary watchmaking standards. It represents a significant period for the brand in re-establishing its heritage-inspired collections.
Early models in the Vintage 1945 series typically featured stainless steel cases, though gold variants were also produced. The case dimensions varied depending on the specific model, often presenting a balanced profile suitable for dress wear. These watches were frequently equipped with automatic movements, showcasing Girard-Perregaux's in-house capabilities or finely finished outsourced calibers. The crystal was commonly sapphire, ensuring durability and legibility, while water resistance was generally suitable for daily wear rather than aquatic activities.
For collectors, the Vintage 1945 series appeals to those interested in neo-vintage watches that successfully blend historical design with modern execution. The 1994 introduction year marks it as one of the earlier and more influential lines from Girard-Perregaux's resurgence in the 1990s. Its various iterations, including time-only, small seconds, and later complicated versions, offer a range of choices for enthusiasts seeking a distinctive rectangular watch with a clear lineage.
Thanks for sharing! New model for me
Indeed! One of the reasons we love the brand! This Vintage 1945 Concrete dial is a great example of that. Thank you for the reminder, CC! Best Blomman
Excellent post dear CC Yup concrete dial how cool is that Cheers D
sometimes it is well worth to look back a few years and discover some (yet) unknown.
I did not know about it. The dial made by concrete is just beautiful. Thanks for posting! Best.
and we know GP can make that leap, if you look at the Vintage 45 Anniversary edition (not sure I can find a photo, but I will look). CC
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