Girard Perregaux

It has been a month already since the last SIHH and I know that you've already seen those new watches from Girard-Perregaux. Still I wanted to share a few pictures I took myself and give some impressions.

The Laureato Tourbillon sous Trois Ponts d'Or is certainly my favourite current Girard-Perregaux watch. In fact I really love that calibre like many of you certainly do, but nearly each time I've had one on my wrist I've found it too decorated, except the Laureato and now this new version pictured below.

As much as I love the Three Gold Bridges Tourbillon calibre design, and really find all its different versions beautiful, I've often been amazed to realize that once on my wrist the decoration can easily make me feel that it is not for me. But I've now found the key that leads to desire!

Key to heaven

Now look at the watch below! I can say this one didn't feel out of place on my wrist. Girard-Perregaux did IMO a great work at refining the style and avoiding any "demonstrative decoration".

The pure lines of this version have really transformed the ambiance on the wrist. It has lost (for the best) its habitual delicate and often classical aspect to become a potential icon of modern design!

The purest Three Gold Bridges Tourbillon

To some extent you could even imagine that the calibre is like "dropped" in the case to be shown!

This edition is numbered and limited to 50 pieces. I hope to see other "contemporary" designs like this one (and in fact there was a Vintage 45 version last year but I prefer this year's round version). Maybe will we see someday a platinum version?

Modern presentation

I prefer this year's version because I really love that rounded case too. The work done on the case construction and finish is really superb. It reminds of the "President" 's case of some years back.

Rounded case

This watch was easily the most beautiful new Girard-Perregaux this year. This is quite a modern watch that will probably become a great classic in a few years time.

A calibre like dropped in the case

If the Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges is out of your reach (like out of mine) the other new watches are quite more affordable.

The Girard-Perregaux 1966 Small Second in palladium is a very attractive limited edition of 199 pieces with a very beautiful dial. It has a 38mm case. I was really pleased by this one but only to be even more pleased by the next one!

1966 small second in palladium

The Girard-Perregaux 1966 full calendar is my favourite current triple (non annual) calendar watch. The limited edition of 199 pieces in palladium is IMO the most beautiful version so far.

1966 full calendar in palladium

This watch is certainly very classic and with some vintage flair, but its size (40 mm) and purity of design makes it a very contemporary piece.

The nicest triple calendar on the market

The most awaited new Girard-Perregaux piece this year is probably the 1966 Chronographe ! The watch was pre-launched earlier and many were waiting for pics. The watch is like all 1966 models very pure, and like said for the full calendar it is very classic, vintage like, but quite appealing thanks to its modern size (40 mm).

1966 chronograph

The two counter and no date configuration makes it a possible automatic competitor to the very classic two counter manual wind chronographs from Vacheron Constantin, Breguet, or Patek Philippe. Its automatic winding, like it is the case for the Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars launched last year, offers a different option in front of the yet (and hopefully soon) to come new Patek Philippe simple chronograph!

Classic blue and white gold

The watch is proposed either in pink or white gold case. The manufacture calibre is a column wheel chronograph with the originality of having the chronograph mechanism on the dial side of the calibre. It won't be an interesting option for those looking for a classical two counter manual wind chronograph, but it will be a temptation to all those looking for a classical looking easy to use everyday chronograph. Furthermore its moderate size will be an advantage to conquer the feminine audience.

Pink gold

I would have liked to be able to show you some pics of the limited edition Laureato GP Quartz 40^th Anniversary but I have taken no good picture! This 40 pieces edition is commemorating the 40^th anniversary of the first Girard-Perregaux quartz calibre, beating at a frequency of 32 768 Hz for an optimal precision. Quartz watch collectors should not miss this one.

I end up with a (bad) picture of the white metal 1966 Annual Calendar with Equation of Time.  It was my favourite watch of last year's SIHH. It's still very tempting this year, even more in this colour!

Annual calendar with equation of time

Once again this year Girard-Perregaux offers a nice selection of understated and appealing watches. I can just recommend you to take the opportunity to have a look by yourself at these watches as I fear no picture can show their subtile appeal!

Cheers

Dje