Girard Perregaux

Was back in Singapore today and managed a quick visit to the Studio Ghibli exhibition at Marina Bay Sands. How lovely to see these creations by Hayao Miyazaki. 🇯🇵

These pictures may look like
animae but they are actually 3-D installation art recreations from various scenes from several Ghibli movies.

I have my Japanese market only GP Abarth ref 4946. It was a special commission where 50 pieces were made in this Havana dial in the year 2004 (neo-vintage). 38 mm bi-compax chronograph double signed on the dial, I find this piece to have been blessed with an extra helping of “special sauce”.

This is the only Havana dial that I have seen GP produce.

Girard-Perregaux CEO Luigi Macaluso was a former ralley car champion for Fiat Abarth so he did some special things for this LE for the group that commissioned it.

It is one that I searched a long time for.

There are some very special GP pieces from the Macaluso era that are highly collectible. I encourage all to look more deeply into this.

As always, I’m happy to share what I have learned so your questions and comments are welcomed. 🤝

Thanks for sharing those great pics with us!

It's tricky because GP archives are not the best. And PETER CDE posts (who was probably the most prolific writer of GP watches from the neo-vintage period) often have broken links in WPS.
So it's a lot of piecing together information. Separating fact and conjecture. Looking at old publications physically or those that have been digitized . Looking at old GP catalogs. Speaking with seasoned collectors in their 60's or more. AD's that were active then and now. Old forum posts. Auctions.etc etc. I also have some good collectors friends in Europe and Japan.
Once it's be ascertained that a said reference exists and is collectible, I then set about trying to find it.
I run the GP Laureato Fanclub group on FB so that has helped me connectors with other collectors of GP. I post as often as I can in a variety of forums and social media and this sometimes triggers other GP collectors of past to also post.
Not easy. The main thing is to be able to recognize the more pedestrian pieces vs the rare birds just by sight.
Does that answer your question?
🤝

Models from Japan can be especially challenging to identify and then source. Language issues and perhaps not as many social media posts (that I use at least).

And there are some “serious” collector with some “seriously” rare pieces on japan. The collectors don’t of these rare birds don’t often want to sell and if they do, they will often sell in japan only to japanese only.

Luckily I have have built relationships with with many of these collectors so that is a big help.

🤝

With similar color



dial

and it is always a pleasure to see your Special Watch, thank you for sharing it with us.

The 3-bridges are a much come in at a much larger price point. So neo-vintage holds so much beauty and value ....

IMO it is better looking than the bracelet combo of your previous post : )

The Abarth looks better with a strap.

Having the original bracelet is just a bonus and changes the look.

I think with a satin brushed finish, the bracelet will work better.

🤝

If I remember correctly, there is also a silver dialed GP Fiat version around…

and not rare.

The fiat is ref GP 49480, solid case back. 3 register. Lacquered hands. Different movement. Etc etc Many differences.





Pics from internet

The Fiat was made for Fiat workers as a long working reward. Several can be found quite easily for sale. I don’t have exact production numbers but many seem to have been made.

My Abarth was exclusively commissioned by an Abarth car collector group is Japan in 2004 and only 50 pieces made.

🤝

For such a whimsical post. One of my kids loved Kiki’s Delivery Service and My Neighbor Totoro when she was a youngster. What an imagination Miyazaki has! Magical. Thanks for posting.

My wife is almost 50 and she still loves Totoro ☺️

Thanks for your heartwarming comment.

Best wishes from Singapore

🤝