Girard-Perregaux WW TC Small Seconds vs 1966 WW TC

amanico · 2018-07-03T13:27:58Z

Compare Girard-Perregaux WW TC Small Seconds and 1966 WW TC world time watches. Explore design, case size, dial aesthetics, and collector opinions.

amanico

WPS member · Girard Perregaux forum

25 replies5685 views5 photos

Nicolas's comparison of the Girard-Perregaux WW TC Small Seconds and the 1966 WW TC offers a critical look at the evolution of GP's world time complications. His analysis delves into case dimensions, dial aesthetics, and overall design philosophy, providing valuable insights for collectors interested in these sophisticated travel watches. The post encourages a discussion on what makes a world timer truly compelling, especially in the context of GP's historical offerings.

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Here we have two very nice world time watches by Girard Perregaux, the WW TC Small Seconds, and the 1966 WW TC, WW TC standing for world wide time control.

Girard Perregaux didn't wait to see Patek releasing its iconic World Time, in 2000, with the reference 5110. The very same year, they unveiled a world timer + a chronograph in the same watch/

But we had to wait till 2009 to see Girard Perregaux releasing a simpler and more sober version, the Small Seconds, which also came with a superb dark grey dial:

Here, no Chronograph, no date, just a world time with a small seconds at 6 o' clock AND, important detail, a much smaller case. Indeed the first WW TC Chronograph had a 43 mm case, while the Small Seconds is 2 mm smaller, which makes a big difference in terms of coherence in the proportions.

The WW TC disappeared from the catalog in 2013 at the benefit of the Traveler WW TC.

BUT, in 2017, Girard Perregaux had the good idea to give birth to the 1966 WW TC. A very elegant, understated world timer, with a slightly smaller case ( 40 mm ) which is strangely 1 mm thicker than the WW TC Small Seconds ( 12 mm instead of 11 mm ). In steel or in rose gold, as shown below:

Or on a bracelet...

Elegant, dressy, understated, sober seem to be the good words to describe this watch.

Maybe a bit too much... BUT, in my opinion, this is a question of dial. Put a black dial and associate it to the steel case, and you will have a stronger combination.

I was secretly expecting such a chromatic combination this year... In vain.

Look at this comparison picture, with the WW TC Small Seconds... I compared the two silver dials. One is more appealing than the other, even if it is a matter of taste.

Even if the case of the 1966 is more conform to my taste.

You cannot deny that both of them are very nice looking. I would have expected more life for the 1966 W TC, truth to be told. While others would praise its elegance.

Cannot we have both, with the possibility to choose between two dials?

Girard-Perregaux should read that... And give it a try.

I for one think that the 1966 WW TC is one of the three or four best Word Time of the current market.

Aaah, and while we are at that, no need for a sapphire case back, the movement ( Cal GP 03300 ) being too small and not really exceptional.

What are your feelings and thoughts?

Best,

Nicolas

Key Points from the Discussion

The older WW TC Small Seconds design, with its 'busy' graphic dial elements, hints at the complexity of the movement and offers more visual interest than the 1966 model.
Girard-Perregaux WWTC models are often undervalued in the pre-owned market, making them excellent bargains for collectors seeking handsome and handy world timers.
The prior WW TC models with thicker lugs and a more lively dial are better suited for a travel watch, offering more personality than the understated 1966 version.
The 1966 WW TC's dial is perceived as somewhat flat, lacking the vibrancy and character of the earlier WW TC Small Seconds, possibly due to font choices and overall design.
While the 49865 (WW TC Small Seconds) has a more interesting dial, the 1966 model boasts a more elegant case, with the rose gold variant being particularly convincing.
The Arabic and dotted hour markers of the original WW TC are a key visual appeal, making the 1966 WW TC, despite its elegance, feel slightly underwhelming.

The Discussion

vitalsigns

Jul 3, 2018

The light dial WW TC small seconds is my favorite (first version). A second-hand bargain at this point. Cheers, John

amanico

Jul 3, 2018

And, oh, well, a Jaeger Lecoultre Geophysic UT, and, in case of serious greediness, Montlblanc Orbis Terrarum, and Chopard Traveler...

Luis6

Jul 3, 2018

To me, those arabic and dotted hour markers are one of the visual appeals of the WW TC. The 1966 WW TC is nice, but a little underwhelming to my eyes.

ripper444

Jul 4, 2018

Tried on the world time chrono but it’s a bit thick and bulky. The small seconds is perfect in my opinion.

BjoernM21

Jul 4, 2018

Seeing the 1966 model presented side by side with the Small Seconds, I realise how much the older design with the "busy" graphic dial elements so much centred already gives a hint of what you see from the back side. With the case diameter increased to 43 mm and well filled with a nice movement, the proportions of the design elements of Ref. 99350 do not really look different compared to Ref. 49865 (Small Seconds). The reference cities are even further spaced out, with the increased white spaces

emcquillan

Jul 4, 2018

I find the dial of the 1966 version a bit flat. Perhaps it's the font of the chapter ring and general lack of life emanating from the dial. Thanks for the comparison piece. The original version is quite appealing.

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