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Girard Perregaux

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Some thoughts on the new ref. 25820 Vintage45 "Square" and GP´s new caliber 4500

 
 By: PeterCDE : April 2nd, 2007-23:58
Dear enthusiasts,
following up to our previous introduction , i´d like to have a closer look at GP´s new pre-SIHH introduction reference 25820, dubbed the Vintage 45 "Square" or "Carree":

Vintage 1945 Carrée

At the beginning of the 90s, well before "vintage" swept in to dominate all the trends, Girard-Perregaux was conceiving a collection inspired by the retro shapes of the art deco watches from 1945.

In 2007, the Vintage 1945 Carrée has reinvented this heritage, with both a movement and aesthetics, which come from recent developments at Girard-Perregaux.

For over 10 years, the famous Vintage 1945 has been opening the way for a plethora of new fashions. Far from being simple nostalgic replicas, they interpret in a modern way the unique personality of this rectangular-shaped model. Remaining faithful to the well endowed original model, the Vintage 1945 Carrée has retained the four right angles, while still adapting the square case. This combination results in one of the purest expressions of the line. The elegant silhouette of its doubly curved dial, lifted by the dauphin-style hands, gives it extra depth.

The Vintage 1945 Carrée is the first watch equipped with the GP 4500 mechanical movement with automatic winding. This calibre is one of the latest to emerge from the Manufacture, for which it is a point of honour to continually improve its range. Its 13 1/4 ligne diameter represents a choice reserved for watches of generous dimensions. It presents a number of innovative characteristics including an improved more efficient winding system. 190 elements make up this new movement, which can be seen through the transparent case back.



Girard-Perregaux ref. 25820 "Vintage Square"

Technical specifications

    Case in pink gold
    Dimensions: 32.00 x 34.20 mm
    Height: 11.15 mm
    Anti-reflection sapphire crystal
    See-through case back
    Water-resistant to 30 metres
    Alligator strap with folding clasp

    Also available with a steel case

  • Estimated tentative world price, in CHF (ex Switzerland, not including taxes):
    - rose gold: 15.930 CHF
    - steel: 7.330 CHF



Girard-Perregaux caliber 4500

Movement Girard-Perregaux GP 4500

    Mechanical with automatic winding
    Casing-diameter: 30 mm
    Calibre: 13 1/4 ligne
    Thickness: 3.95 mm
    Jewels: 27
    Frequency: 28,800 vibrations/hour (4 Hz.)
    Power reserve: minimum 56 hours
    Number of components: 190
    Functions: hour, minute, small seconds, date
    Oscillating rotor with unidirectional winding with ceramic ball-bearings
    Three position winding stem
  • Fine adjustment



The "Vintage Square" carries forth an addition by Girard-Perregaux in 2006; in order to offer a dedicated model for enthusiasts who prefer a more massive, but still highly comfortable and balanced case, the formerly rectangular shape of the "Vintage45" became a square.
The ref. 25810 "Vintage45 Triple Calendar" made the first model to feature this new case, subsequently winning (or breaking, depending on the perspective smile) a considerable number of hearts. This model with it´s beautiful proportions is in comparably high demand meanwhile.



Girard-Perregaux reference 25810 "Vintage 45 Triple Calendar"

While the "Triple Calendar" pursuits a classic approach with a touch of Art Deco, the new reference 25820 adds modern elements.
Notably the dial, which is fitted with unusual numerals of different sizes, a practice GP fans and watch enthusiasts already learned to appreciate by it´s use for several models of JeanRichard, the second brand of the SOWIND Group.
The seeming sober dials, which can be had in black and off-white colour, features "dauphine"-style hands, which are polished and chamferred in order to allow for interesting reflections of the light while remaining always perfectly legible.

On a closer view, the ref. 25820 reveals two major differences towards other models within the "Vintage45" line; both unveil the main difference aside the case, which is the completely new manufacture-made caliber GP 4500 introduced in 2006:





The date window is fitted with red numerals; again, a practice already established at JeanRichard to highlight the manufacture-made movement inside. But different from others, in particular the reference 25830 "Kingsize" models, the date disc is located closely underneath the dial itself. This way a "sunken" date window is avoided and subsequently, shadows caused by deeply recessed disc. While other variants of the "Vintage 45" range utilize an ultra-thin GP movement of the caliber family GP3000, which requires a module to indicate the seconds in an non-centric position, the new caliber GP4500 allows to achieve the same appearance without ressorting to the use of modules. The reduced height achieved this way allows for a much closer distance between the dial and the date disc, thus improving legibility.

The other visual difference towards the earlier iterations of the "Vintage 45" family, but probably most other watches as well, is the unusual position of the sub-seconds hand.
Turning it´s circles in a position between 10 and 11, the seconds hand, which is heat-blued steel, indicates something special underneath the dial.

In this, the new reference 25820 is not just visually and aesthetically new, but to achieve the result it required to incorporate some new constructions into the new caliber.

Please feel kindly invited to follow the next part, in which we will have a closer look at the new movement and it´s features.

Greetings from Germany,

Peter

This message has been edited by PeterCDE on 2007-04-03 00:05:08

Part 2 - some details of the new caliber GP4500

 
 By: PeterCDE : April 3rd, 2007-00:06
In 2006, Girard-Perregaux added two more base calibers to enhance the manufacture´s movement portfolio; a suiting movement for every purpose and four different base calibers is a number not every manufacture does offer:






Girard-Perregaux caliber families



Within this portfolio, the new caliber GP 4500 marks the largest movement with the longest power reserve.

But it is not just large; the height of 3.95mm is to be regarded comparably thin if compared to other, late introductions among the swiss manufacture-made movements.

And there´s a number of interesting details:

The first encounter with GP´s new "power plant" caliber 4500 leads to a surprise; long gone seem to be the days of unfinished plates, but the first impression is dominated by the decorative elements featuring "Geneva Stripes" both in circular and horizontal patterns, as well as extensive "Perlage" particularly under the dial:






GP caliber 4500 (prototype), dial side






GP caliber 4500 (prototype), bridge side






GP caliber 4500 (prototype), bridge side, different view



The GP 4500 combines design elements of the caliber 3000-range by Girard-Perregaux, in that likewise large bridges and plates hide most of the moving parts.

The visual relationship does not come by surprise; it is a manufacture-made movement representing complete development and design work by Girard-Perregaux.

Yet the new GP 4500 is not an enlarged caliber 3000, but a completely new development from scratch.

It took the brand 4 long years to finalize the details, with extensive tests before announcing this new caliber; a series of 15 prototypes, all cased up and ready to wear, stood daily life and practical use for well over a year on the wrists of GP staff.

"Our basic approach was to create a large movement, suiting the contemporary trend towards larger watch cases" states Nicolas Dehon, GP´s chief movement engineer.
He adds, the development started with "two major considerations, to create a movement which is sturdy enough to stand daily wear over a long time. And to do so in exceptional performance quality"; a rugged, accurate, powerful movement to ensure future owners will find their expectations of a manufacture-made watch fulfilled.





GP caliber 4500 explosion drawings (notice the large barrel)



Nicolas Dehon explains the basic approach, which started with a large barrel.

The new caliber was intended to prolongue the power reserve of GP´s ultra-thin caliber 3000 range while offering a high stability of timekeeping results; to achieve this, a high amount of energy is required. As with all mechanical watches, this energy is provided by the mainspring, which finds it´s place inside the barrel. The longer and subsequently, stronger, the mainspring is choosen, the more space is required for the barrel; in the beginning, the size of a barrel determined the size and place of later movement components to be integrated. A stronger mainspring provides practical benefits down the road; not just the power reserve of the movement to be increased (notably, 25 percent increase over the GP3000 range), but it is promising to deliver a more constant power flow, which is likely to support an improved timekeeping.


The "double 3rd wheel"

In order to save available space and allow for a likewise large balance, an already well-tested development by SOWIND Group was added - the "double 3rd wheel".

Every mechanical movement requires 3-4 wheels, which transport the energy of the barrel and mainspring towards the escapement, which accounts for the timekeeping. This gear train, often called the "going train" or
"power train", requires to be designed with care: the more power the movement will have, the force the individual gears need to deal with, suggesting to be likewise large and sturdy.

Within the gear train, the 3rd wheel is a so-called "double wheel"; by using this solution, which is highly unconventional among modern movements, it is possible to minimize the size of the 4th wheel, which allows for more space for the barrel.

For an in-depth analysis of an earlier application, the JeanRichard caliber JR 1000, please have a look at Suitbert´s review:


The "double 3rd wheel" did proof to offer practical advantages and to work very well, thus it is a natural choice it is used for the GP4500 as well.

Here´s the gear train, as found in GP´s latest addition:





GP caliber 4500 gear train

While the drawing is not to be regarded a technical drawing, both the gear train and the recessed section in the movement base plate may give an idea of the barrel to consume most of the movement´s space - this one is all about power supply!


The use of the "double 3rd" wheel keeps in mind three applications:

- the use in central second watches

- the use in sub-second watches

- the use with a module fitted in complicated watches


For all applications, the "double 3rd wheel" will eliminate tangential play of the seconds hand pinion, which will avoid the "fluttering" performance of other central seconds movements. This phenomenon goes back to the alignment of the wheels; in conventional movements with indirect central second, the seconds hand pinion requires a friction spring to support proper fit and prevent from a "skipping" motion of the hand. The "double 3rd wheel" rules out this tangential play, thus avoiding the unfavorite "skips" of the seconds hand.

But this effect is of benefits for use with modules as well; a more equal motion of the seconds pinion is promising to support an improved and more equal performance.




GP caliber 4500 gear train


At the same time, the "double 3rd wheel" allows for a trick:

It is one of exceptionally few movements which are capable to indicate the seconds in different positions!
This allows for truly creative dial designs, which are different from what is seen so far.

The "double 3rd wheel" supports the pinion of the seconds hand, which can be attached in three different positions without changing the movement or adding a module:

- a small second at 9 position

- a small second at 10.30 position

- a central second

Quite a neat trick; where other movements demand additional height by a module, which is an issue particularly in watches sporting a rectangular or curved case, the GP4500 allows to freely choose the dial layout without ressorting to modules.

Such allows not only to find different applications for the movement, but for unusual case designs at the same time!


Uni-directional winding

But the GP4500 doesn´t end with an unusual wheel in the gear train; actually there´s a variety of other details, which set it apart from others.

Like with the GP3000 caliber range, the new GP4500 offers unidirectional winding; the rotor winds the movement in one direction only, while spinning free in the other direction. Practical tests, as far back as 1970´s and conducted by several brands, did turn out this solution to be superior to bi-directional winding in terms of efficiency.
Thus it is a natural choice for a movement intended to offer practical benefits for the owner and the choice of
Girard-Perregaux.





GP caliber 4500 automatic winding


All automatic winding movements require a gear train with "reverser unit" in order to transfer the motion of the rotor towards the barrel with it´s mainspring.

This reverser unit ensures a connection between both in one direction, while uncoupling in the other.

There are several solutions in practical use for younger movements, such as rocker mechanisms or satellite wheels. One consideration when thinking of constructions to offer practical advantages is to keep things simple; the large rotor supplies considerable energy towards the strong mainspring, hence the stress and wear on automatic units including the reverser mechanism is a consideration important for later longevity of the completed watch. The less parts a reverser mechanism integrates, the larger these can be in order to allow for a strong built and reduced wear, as well as improvements for lubrication (what is not there does not need to be lubricated) and reduced danger of problems.


The reverser unit within the GP4500 caliber can be described as construction of "satellite" gears; but instead of installing an individual gear train, all necessary gears are integrated parts of the reverser wheel!

Sounds different - and it is:





GP caliber 4500 reverser wheel and parts (left above: complete wheel)



The practical application of the reverser wheel is a seemingly simple one on first view





GP caliber 4500 reverser wheel,
with central rotor and bearing (center above)
and balance (left below)


but the drawing may give an idea this solution is an ingenious simplification.


Nicolas Dehon points out two more advantages, in that the reverser wheel is the only wheel above any of the movements bridges. This accounts for the "technical" appearance of the GP4500 and the large space of the bridges, which subsequently improves the movements stability. This is certainly well in line with the quest for a manufacture-made movement intending to offer some practical benefits! As a welcome side effect, this allows for different decorations; the more surface space there is, the more stripes (or whatever decoration Girard-Perregaux decides to choose) can be applied.

The practical difference, which should be apparent to all future owners, is an increased efficiency:
Reversing the winding direction to "free motion" of the rotor requires the reverser mechanism to change the gearing; the rotor and automatic unit is coupled or uncoupled from the barrel and mainspring.

A critical aspect is the so-called "dead angle"; this describes the part of the rotor motion required to actually make the reversing mechanism switch winding on or off.
The more it is, the less efficient winding will be - if a good portion of the 360-degree-arch of the rotor motion is used to activate the mechanism, there´s simply not just that much way left to make the barrel wind up.
This is a concern particularly in daily wear, when the watch on the wrist receives motion impulses in various directions. Each time the reverser mechanism will switch and within the many many wrist shakes of the day, there´s hardly the same motion of the watch and the movement as on a watch winder.

Therefore a short transition or switching period is of great benefit to improve the winding efficiency; the faster the mechanism responds to a motion of the wrist, the better it will wind.

For the GP4500 caliber, the "dead angle" of the movement is less than 15 degree; this is considerably less than other movements on the markets and in a practical perspective, it means hardly any motion of the wrist will get lost for winding the movement!

As we see, the seemingly simple construction with it´s likewise plain appearance on first sight offers some practical benefits.



"Zirconium" ceramics ball bearings

Like all late production movements by Girard-Perregaux, the new GP4500 caliber will include GP´s ceramic ball bearings, whose practical benefits and features are subject of this earlier introduction:





GP caliber 4500 prototype; reverser (right below), central rotor bearing (middle)






 



GP caliber 4500 prototype; rotor bearing 
A barrel bridge with a button

Coming back to the barrel, the new GP4500 caliber utilizes a feature not seen often, but with practical benefits: the barrel bridge.

The barrel and it´s powerful mainspring is housed under a separate bridge, which provides increased stability.




In addition, the barrel bridge is fitted with a push button; this allows to release the barrel and unwind it, before removing it during service work.

A seemingly simple mechanism, but a very handy feature for all watchmakers to work on this!






GP caliber 4500 prototype; release button

-
This message has been edited by PeterCDE on 2007-04-03 00:35:37

Part 3 - some more details of the new caliber GP4500

 
 By: PeterCDE : April 3rd, 2007-00:07
As we´ve seen, the new GP4500 caliber incorporates some practical, new solutions to improve the efficiency, longevity and durability of this movement. It is promising to be an accurate, sturdy timekeeper for a long time to come.

But is it a nice movement to look at?

Some closer views may allow to judge for yourself:
The dial side of the movement will remain invisible to every owner; it bears the instant date mechanism and is decorated with plenty of perlage:





GP caliber 4500, dial
side






GP caliber 4500, closer view of the
date mechanism


Switching the movement over, the escapement section, the large bridges and the large rotor dominate the view.





GP caliber 4500, movement
side


The escapement is a conventional swiss lever escapement, well tried and tested.

It makes use of an ETACHRON regulation device by means of an eccenter screw. While one might prefer a free-sprung balance, particularly with a balance as large as this, one should keep in mind the regulation is a technology well known to watchmakers all over the world and unproblematic in use; without ressorting to fancy tools for specific calibers, it´s something probably most qualified watchmakers are familiar with. Such is promising to be of benefit during later service work and allow for reduced turnaround times.






GP caliber 4500, escapement and
regulation

.


A particular feature i´ve found interesting are the engravings; all engravings are very deep and laid out in gold, which i find nicely done and a beautiful view, particularly in combination with the properly aligned geneva stripe decoration. It´s a nice contrast towards the perlage work at the same time. The counter sinks around the jewels are properly polished and all bridge sides angled and polished.






GP caliber 4500,
engraving






GP caliber 4500, hairspring,
regulation and balance (the balance reflects the base plate
perlage)


A nice detail, supporting later service work, is the push button to release the stem; this mechanism is well tried in the GP3000 caliber range and allows to release the stem with crown, without need to release a fixating screw (something apt to lead to scratches). Again, a deeply engraved and gold underlined arrow points at the function, with the recess around the countersink to be polished.





GP caliber 4500, stem release
button



The new GP4500 caliber is promising to offer some real life benefits not available else.

Creating base movements is a different task from crafting individual Haute Horlogerie watches in the high-end; movements such as the GP4500 naturally will be used in many more examples than a GP Three Gold Bridges tourbillon and more apt to daily wear, with all the threats wearing a watch brings. The first impressions of the GP4500 are promising it is well equipped to stand all this and be an accurate, reliable, sturdy timekeeper for many years.


From a different perspective, one might do well to keep in mind the tentative price range; for a watch in the range of less than 8.000 Swiss Francs, the "Vintage 45 Square" with it´s unusual, iconic case design offers a nicely done manufacture-made movement which incorporates a variety of very practical benefits.

To me, this is an unusual "package" and certainly an interesting one - not to speak of the outer appearance, which is a lot to my taste.




Nicolas Dehon
(left)


All together, i find Nicolas Dehon and Girard-Perregaux did a very fine job on the new ref. 25820 "Vintage Square"!


Disclaimer:
All opinions expressed are mine - your mileage may vary.


Greetings from Germany,

Peter


This message has been edited by PeterCDE on 2007-04-03 00:19:16

it looks like a very nice piece of work, thanks for the excellent introduction Peter! (nt)

 
 By: ei8htohms : April 3rd, 2007-02:58
nt

Thanks a lot for this exciting pics and insights

 
 By: Alexander from Germany : April 3rd, 2007-06:42
Peter, that's a great thing what you're again doing for us! Amazing pictures I love very much. And I'm particularly glad to learn about and understand now this movement in a way I would like to be able to understand the 3XXX mvts. as well, which have not been documented in this extensive way. I always thought this to be a pity due to the fact that the GP mvts. from the early 90ies onwards are outstanding technical inventions, not only in the field of haute horlogerie but also in the field of basic watchmaking tradition. The fact that the 3XXX mvts. are used also as ebauches by other companies for me adds an argument to the wish for having these documented as well es the new ones. The same is valid in my opinion for the "Equation" - quartz mvts. being an outstanding range of quartz mvts. as well as having been used by other companies like Baume et Mercier, Concord for their watches.

But having already the opportunity to have such close looks on the cal. 4500 is a great pleasure for me and makes me happy to be a participant of this forum.

Warm thanks again, Peter, and greetings, Alex

Oh, there´s something for you!

 
 By: PeterCDE : April 3rd, 2007-12:06

Hi Alexander,

thank you a lot! That´s much appreciated and the pleasure is completely on my side!

In terms of the GP3xxx range, have a look here. There aren´t many chances to get much closer than this:
http://www.tp178.com/jd/gp/article1b.html

smile

Sure it´s not the basic movement, but then the base without module is not that different!

Glad you enjoyed the little ramblings on the 4500!

Cheers,

Peter


 

Indeed,

 
 By: Alexander from Germany : April 4th, 2007-03:42

thanks again for this hint, I didn't note this study before,

best wishes for the feast days, Alex

My pleasure!

 
 By: PeterCDE : April 4th, 2007-12:06
Hi Alex,

you´re welcome!
I´m sure there´s a couple of very interesting things to come, so don´t miss them later this month!

Have some nice easter holidays!

Cheers,

Peter

Thank you Peter

 
 By: pr7 : November 2nd, 2007-09:07

Hello Peter,

first I wanna thank you for this indepth look. I was wondering about how GP will provide the same moment with the central second position with a double third wheel, but with the second at 9 with a singular third wheel? Because in my opinion they will have practically one engagement more with the first called position.

Hope I wrote clearly, though you can understand my question.

Looking forward to hear from you.

Sincerely yours

Philipp

Like this?

 
 By: PeterCDE : November 2nd, 2007-11:59

Hi Philipp,

something like this?

These are prototypes and in fact the GP4500 caliber with central second!
While i can´t share details on upcoming models, at least it seems such is being evaluated very closely...

Does this help a bit?

Cheers,

Peter

More technical...

 
 By: pr7 : November 3rd, 2007-15:16
Hey Peter,

hmm... that's not really what I meant, but also nice pictures of course.

In part 2 you showed us a picture with details of the different variations of seconds.
And if GP produces the second at 9 they perhaps will have different torques and though different amplitudes
at the balance-wheel. I'm not sure if they can deal with that or maybe they use different barrels to compensate
it or I didn't mention something important. So it's more a technical question.

Sincerely yours

Philipp

Oh, that´s what the double third wheel is made for

 
 By: PeterCDE : November 3rd, 2007-16:23

G'day,

regardless the attachment of the wheel driving the second hand, amplitude and performance will always be the same.
As noted, that´s what the double third wheel is made for; the second hand pinion always engages the same wheel, eliminating the need for intermediate wheels and pinions. Subsequently it´s always the same friction and torque.
Does this clearify?

Cheers,

Peter

We're getting closer :o)

 
 By: pr7 : November 4th, 2007-03:45
Hello Peter,

yes in this case you're right. But what if you use the second wheel to display the small second at 9 without the second hand pinion like on the picture with only a single third wheel. You definitly will have less engagements in your going train.


Well, i think that´s not possible

 
 By: PeterCDE : November 4th, 2007-06:30

G'day,

i´m rather tempted to trust GP´s engineer in this one smile

Actually attaching a seconds hand onto the second wheel is a rather unconventional thing to do and as said, regardless the position of the second hand there´s no difference otherwise.
In this i have to admit to have a problem following your approach.
But of course you do your own movement and see what goes smile

Cheers,

Peter

 

Difficult issue

 
 By: pr7 : November 7th, 2007-00:32

Good morning,

Thank you guys for your response :o)

I think it's hardly impossible to see through the eyes of a manufacturer. Your right that there are a lot more points to consider producing a watch nowadays and in history.

Coming back to my issue:

If I have a closer look to the picture of the various positions of the seconds I have to agree with Bob. You must have done a mistake by swapping them (9 to 10.30).

Cheers Philipp

Hi, Philippe,....

 
 By: SuitbertW : November 4th, 2007-06:57
....I believe GP opted for this design for beeing flexible and vesatile. Of course one could use the classical small seconds design and use the fourth wheel directly to display the second. But, than you're also bound to design the train around it - i.e. other considerations must go one step back in the list. They obviously wanted to have the options they now have smile  the double third wheel is just a well tried and elegant solution to drive an indirect second (be it in the center or elsewhere. Plus, the you have  a good "access point" for a module - if necessary even with the option of a connection without any backlash - something which can help a lot for a good working chrono odule for example. That's thanks to the double third wheel.

If one wants to have a staright forward structure in base movement and  iterations of it  -  one and the same going train is something very logical, IMO. So, one base for small seconds without the double third wheel and another base for all others wouldn't make much sense to a manufacturer .
 
I even don't know at what precise position the fourth wheel is in the new movement - perhaps it's just a tiny bit off 9 position and would also look awkward......as said, to design a movement one has to take into account many, many points.  And I'm sure I don't know only a fraction of them smile

Best regards
Suitbert

strange arrangements on pictures

 
 By: robert_bob_stefan : November 5th, 2007-02:48

Hi guys,

Sounds like I have to add up to Philipp's quest for understanding...

Actually, why I seem to understand his concern for moment variation between the 3 options offered by the manufacture, I seem to not understand the drawings showing those 3 options:

    central second: I agree (would be hard not to!) second at 9: the view being from bridges side (the axes going down, on the dial side), the "direct second" (which you call 4th wheel) cannot be at 9, rather at 10:30
  • second at 10:30: if we look at the mvt from the other side, the designated wheel is lower than that of the 4th wheel, which confirms this is at 9 and the 4th wheel at 10:30.

Anyway, to come back to Philipp's point, I understand your question as such (please correct me if I get you wrong):

    central second configuration:  4th wheel + central pinion are in gear second at 9: 4th wheel + pinion at 9 are in gear
  • second at 10:30: 4th wheel only is in gear,

If it's the case that in 3rd configuration (second at 10:30), no othe pinion is left, then there will be a difference in moment. If a pinion is left, which one is it? the one in center or the one at 9?

Would be nice to have your opinion about this, it's makes me scratch my head too, and I can't afford to loose any more hair because I scratch my hair because I don't get it :-(

Best regards to all on the forum,

Bob

PS: Peter, may I ask you how you came across a watch the name of is "prototype"? smile To my understanding, these are not yet available in the shops, I asked my local retailer :-(

 

The black dial looks smart

 
 By: Jokoh : April 3rd, 2007-02:01
Can't wait to "feel" it on my wrist smile

thanks Peter

cheers
joe

This kind of news brings me joy....

 
 By: Dje : April 3rd, 2007-02:43
Hi Peter,

Thanks a lot for sharing this in depth report about a real news, I mean a news that I'd want to and could live with someday.

I just got my second 3100 series calibre watch  (not a GP) so that may be enough for this series smile and a good reason to look seriously into this quite promising 4500 series movement.

i'll come back again soon in your report to spend more time thinking about these technical bits.

For now the finish of this movement seems very appealing for its relative affordability too.

I like the modern yet sober and classy style of the new square Vintage 45 a  lot.

I'm happy.


Thanks again and congrats GP for what seems to be some good work done.

Cheers

Dje

excellent coverage on the 4500 movement, Peter

 
 By: vlkcheng : April 3rd, 2007-02:34
well done and thanks for the pics.  Exciting stuff.  Can't wait to see GP add a few complications to this movement.  Still hoping for longer power reserves than 56 hours.

great coverage and info Peter

 
 By: ed : April 3rd, 2007-10:16
thanks for sharing smile

Thanks for the update Peter

 
 By: 1watch : April 6th, 2007-22:44

Very interesting developments in the Vintage line and the new, larger movements with improved calendar functions.  Look forward to seeing more photos!

Paul