descartes1
2985
As promised, my GP Chronometer HF Gyromatic
Further to my exchanges with @Blomman and @TS1987 in a recent thread, I am pleased to share photos of my GP Chronometer HF Gyromatic.
My specific inquiry is whether the bracelet is a Gay Freres, or not. It looks (to me) to be identical to the one in the photo posted by TS1987 which was indicated to be Gay Freres, but the markings on mine say "Kreisler- Hong Kong." Perhaps Kreisler manufactured for Gay Freres design. I'd be happy to know if that was the case. I really don't think it is an after-market bracelet because it has a GP hall mark on the clasp (see photo).
A little history about this watch. It was by father's watch and he wore it until quartz and digital because the rage in the 70s, at which time he began wearing a Pulsars and Seikos. (Yikes!) Notably, he never kept those, but always kept this Swiss delight!!!
He must have purchased this watch around the time I was born (1966) based on what others have suggested is the manufacture date. My father , who was originally from Brooklyn, NY, studied in Switzerland in the 1950's (University of Bern) and he loved all things Swiss, was proud to have studied in the "home of Einstein" and was fluent in German (which is where my paternal grandmother was from pre-war).
Because of the connection to my father, I wear this watch for meaningful family events.
I suspect this is not an expensive watch (I have no idea what it is worth), and it is probably the least valuable in my collection based on monetary worth. But, it is among the most meaningful in terms of sentiment.
I also must say that I believe this was a pretty modest watch in its day, but I know there is some significance to the HF movement from a horological point of view. It also is a delight to wear. Simple, but cool, with a mid-60's style that I really love. It looks great with a suit, or casual. It is also a watch that wears larger than it is. The bracelet (whether Gay Freres or not) is really quite beautiful, and nearly as interesting as the one on my AP Royal Oak in terms of its comfort and the way it catches the light. The embedded cyclops is also quite interesting, and the dial is clean with an interesting patina. Above all, it keeps near perfect time despite the fact that its never been serviced.
Thanks for reading and I appreciate any thoughts about this GP, and especially any insight regarding the bracelet.
1960s era appeal
Nice patina
GP hallmark on clasp
Gay Freres?
Gay Freres