Friends,

You saw the teaser about this Girard-Perregaux Alarm reference 9490 and that it is a quite rare bird.

During four years, between 1972 and 1976 only 350 pieces in total of the 9490 was made.

That is far less than many “Limited Editions” we see today!

The cushion shaped stainless steel case made by Garber is very typical for the Funky 70s!

“Big and bulky” with lugs that is an intergraded part of the case.

But in fact the 9490 is not very big, only 31 mm wide and 40 lug to lug. 19 mm between the lugs.

But the case is quite robust, including the crystal it is 13.5 mm thick.

What differs the 9490 from the 7742 and the 9091 is that the alarm is indicated by an arrow hand instead of a window with an alarm disk.

The Girard-Perregaux reference 7742 (1960 – 1966, 5.860 pieces in total).

The Girard-Perregaux reference 9190 (1969 – 1976, more than 3.000 pieces in total).

So, compared with the 7742 and the 9190, the 9490 is quite a rare bird.

Another thing different from the others is that the 9490 has a date.

The blue dial with applied indexes is not really mat, but not glossy either… Half mat?

Either way I find it very charming with the thin linear structure from top to bottom and the creamy patina!

Not sure how many different dial versions existed, but from the production sheet, I know that there was a white dial version as well.

A third detail that differs from the others is that the time crown at four is signed GP, while on the 7742 and 9190 the time crown is un-signed.

As for the alarm crown at two, it is the same, signed with an “A” for alarm.

Screw down case back in stainless steel.

Inside there is an extra inner case of which the alarm hammer will hit to make the sound.

You see the alarm pin inside of the inner case.

You also see the hammer located above the balance wheel in this shot.

The sound of the alarm is the same sharp “cricket” sound as of the others which may not be surprising since the 9490 also have an AS based movement.

Inside is the GP caliber 112, based on the AS caliber 1931.

For this was a very happy find.

The watch screams Funky 70s and the blue dial makes it even more desirable to me.

Makes a perfect match to the Girard-Perregaux Gyromatic reference 9000!

And on the wrist you can feel it – its DISCO time!

Hope you enjoyed!

Best

Blomman