Girard Perregaux

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Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 Chronograph, Ref 2599

Friends,

This is report is overdue for a few weeks, but now here it is.

One of my recent additions to my collection is the Vintage 45 Chronograph, Ref 2599. As it happens, the Vintage 45 Chrono, Ref 2599 was my second GP in my collection many years back. Here is a photo of that watch from my archives.

I decided to sell it some years ago. I got a bit tired of the gold applied markers on the white dial with the white gold case and I had planned to replace it with a new 2599 shortly after. However, it took me several years before welcoming back a 2599. Not that there have not been opportunities, but as often other priorities came first and then it got pushed out.

In 2001, GP released a limited edition of the Vintage 45 Chrono with steel case and a unique dial design that was available in black and cream. I think we all know Nico’s 2599 with the black dial which is from the same series of 2001 limited pieces.

The most prominent features of that version are the skeletonized hands and the beautifully drawn numerals. It was very much clear to me that this is the version I need to hunt, especially as I wanted a steel case. The only question was black or cream. After handling both versions, the cream dial won my heart and I have been hunting it for a while.

The watch I found seemed a bit in bad condition and it missed the original strap. However, the watch was actually in good condition, minor traces of wear as you would expect, runs excellent and of course, I had a number of matching original straps already in stock.

I had a dark brown and a tan brown croco strap for the Vintage 45 in 21mm. The strap construction is very special but not always perfectly fitting. My strap of choice was the tan small-scales croco strap like on the photos below, but on my smallish wrist, it always bent too much outwards and looked not flush at the lugs.

I did remember that my white gold 2599 had a different strap design which was totally flush with the case. I believe it had the strap from the last Richeville line which is also 21mm and with the special metal construction. So, I tried the brown tan croc strap from my Richeville and voilà that was fitting perfectly. While I would have slightly preferred the richer colour of the other strap, I’m satisfied with the Richeville strap as it integrates perfectly into the case shape without any gaps and without bending outwards when wearing. I also opted for a pin buckle instead of the deployment buckle, which was the standard for this model.

The dial close-up:

The curved case and back:

What can I say? Very very happy having this one back in the collection and even happier with the cream dial, steel case. For me, this is the best-sized Vintage 45. It is a bit less wide than the King Size giving it a more longer, rectangular look, which has just perfect proportions. A good thickness and the prominent chronograph pushers really add to the look and presence on the wrist. The curved case combined with the rectangular shape is unrivalled in my opinion.

Best,

CC