Girard Perregaux

blomman Mr Blue
38586

• Show profile
• Show other posts

Review of the Girard-Perregaux Novelty 2015: GP 1966 in Steel

Friends,

We have been discussing this a lot here in the forum and now it is finally here: a Girard-Perregaux 1966 in Steel!

I know we are many here that prefer white metal cases.

Yes, the GP 1966 is available in White Gold, but that will drive the price point up.

For an “entry level watch, time only” that may be problematic since many brands compete in this category.

So for Girard-Perregaux to offer a steel version of the GP 1966 time only, I find as a brilliant move!

To just change the case metal is one thing… That would have been quite easy…

Here Girard-Perregaux has reworked the whole look of the watch without losing the GP 1966 DNA!

If we start by looking at the new steel case:

The base for the steel case is the same as for the 40 mm GP 1966 case in precious metal.

The biggest visual change on the case except for the material is the thinner bezel.

Here is a comparison shot whit the GP 1966 Enamel dial in Pink Gold which also has the 40 mm case.

As you can see the bezel is thinner, giving the dial more space, but let’s wait before we jump into the dial…

The short, curved signature lugs of the GP 1966 are there, making the watch sit perfect on your wrist.

Here a shot in soft ambient light.

Inside is the same automatic movement as in the in precious metal Girard-Perregaux 1966: Base Caliber GP03300.

Difference here is the rotor which I believe also is in steel (a detail I need to confirm that with GP).

The profile of the case is also kept; the slender, elegant look is there!

Now let’s have a closer look on the dial.

Here we notice several differences:

Compared with the GP 1966 in Gold, here GP opted for a minute track and applied indexes.

A good move I think since the thinner bezel gives a bigger dial. Without the minute track the dial might have looked a bit empty…

Next is the indexes, all hours have an applied index now instead of only on the full quarters.

Again, I like the change! Tapered towards the center.

The GP logo and text is rather thin and not as pronounced as you would have expected here, but I don’t mind…

Guess the owner will now which brand he or she is wearing anyway!

But unfortunately the “Automatic” is there and it is bigger than usual…

OK, to be fair – to balance up the GP logo the “Automatic” text needs to be in a lager font size but personally I would have preferred without the text at all.

One change I do like is the bit smaller date window and the fact that GP rounded the corners to soften the edges.

The dial itself have a more grained look than the sunburst dial we are used to see.

The leaf hands are same as the indexes, in steel.

Difference from the White Gold version, the seconds hand is also white.

Personally I would love to see heated blue hands here to make better contrast (and also because I LOVE heated blue hands).

Like on the GP 1966 Enamel dial.

But then again, the hands stand out quite well. Maybe headed blue hands would have been too much here…

Finally we have a steel version of the GP 1966!

In my book this is a winner!

It is simplicity at its best, classic, elegant and with a DNA that is unmistakable Girard-Perregaux.

So, what do you think? Is it a good move for Girard-Perregaux to offer the GP 1966 in steel?

Best

Blomman