Comments:
I just got this beauty for many reasons, one being the extreamly smooth operation
of the chrono pushers and hands (no jumping). I thought it might be a column wheel but it does
not look like one inside the back. Does any one know the exact chrono construction?
Friday Scan: The rose gold R&D-01 got a little buried so far
G'day,
another friday and time for a scan
Or some
I thought it might be interesting to have another look at a new model, which wasn´t mentioned that much so far:
GP´s new reference 49931 is a 2007 addition; introduced in Geneva SIHH, this model extends the unusual "R&D 01" chronograph with a very substantial rose gold case.
The "R&D" line goes back to "Research and Development", signalizing this model to be an unusual and innovative creation. And it really is; left-handed chronographs make for a rare breed and those fitted with manufacture-made movements more so.
The inner values are well tested. It´s basically the GP 033C0 chronograph movement, but in a "reversed" mounting that allows for pushers and crown on the left side. Thus the crown on the right side of the case is in charge of setting the rotatable inner bezel, while winding, setting and controlling the chronograph are managed by the pushers and crown on the left side.
Like it´s brethren, the "R&D" Chronograph is not a small watch. The case measures 43mm in diameter while being 13.71mm high, which already may give an idea it´s a very substantial piece. The new case material enhances the impression and in fact, it´s well over 150 gramms on the wrist!
Certainly not a lightweight watch, but as with any GP timepiece still very wearable.
A very nice feature, which the "R&D" shares with the Laureato Evo3 chronographs; the chronograph hands including a minute counter are center-mounted, which results in an unique appearance. A particularly nice detail is the central minute counter hand, which bears a small triangle on top. This is slightly angled to follow the shape of the curved and recessed inner rotating bezel, in order to minimize parellax errors and easier reading.
Those hands indicating the time are crafted in rose gold, matching the case and dial index marker material.
The chronograph counters are finely brushed and recessed, resulting in an excellent contrast with the blue steel hands.
All together, it´s a very legible model, which is further enhanced by the rich use of "compressed" Superluminova for the time indicating hands. This watch is promising to work under all light conditions. And it is one that particularly reveals how much love for such details went into it; the dials of the "R&D" range are particularly difficult to produce and feature more than 40 different elements. It´s not as simple as it may appear on casual first sight, but really invites for close inspection and admiration.
The massive case and crowns are fitted with a multiple surface finish; the upper area of the case, pushers and crowns are highly polished, while the case flanks are finely brushed. This makes for an interesting visual effect.
Something i really appreciate is the unobtrusive use of bold colours.
Girard-Perregaux is not exactly known for monochrome dials, therefore the new 49931 in rose gold makes a real difference particularly among the models of the "R&D" line. The manufacturer signature is a relatively subtle print in red colour, which picks up the colour scheme of the central minute counter hand. The "Day/Night" indication is signed as such, which lacks a corresponding visual counterweight on the left side of the dial. But particularly this slight asymmetric design makes it even more interesting to me.
Over all, the "less is more" approach results in a massive, but not at all bulky appearance and a classic, but still sportive look. To me that´s a very versatile combination which will do well with many different dress codes, while avoiding the bold, obtrusive and "in your face" look some other very heavy gold chronographs by other brands currently seem to follow.
And to me that´s a particularly sucessfull design for the "R&D" line, in that it subtly underlines the special features of this model. It´s a "sports classique" for sure and an elegant watch at the same time.
In some way, it´s a real gentleman´s watch!
Greetings from Germany,
Peter
another friday and time for a scan
Or some
I thought it might be interesting to have another look at a new model, which wasn´t mentioned that much so far:
GP´s new reference 49931 is a 2007 addition; introduced in Geneva SIHH, this model extends the unusual "R&D 01" chronograph with a very substantial rose gold case.
The "R&D" line goes back to "Research and Development", signalizing this model to be an unusual and innovative creation. And it really is; left-handed chronographs make for a rare breed and those fitted with manufacture-made movements more so.
The inner values are well tested. It´s basically the GP 033C0 chronograph movement, but in a "reversed" mounting that allows for pushers and crown on the left side. Thus the crown on the right side of the case is in charge of setting the rotatable inner bezel, while winding, setting and controlling the chronograph are managed by the pushers and crown on the left side.
Like it´s brethren, the "R&D" Chronograph is not a small watch. The case measures 43mm in diameter while being 13.71mm high, which already may give an idea it´s a very substantial piece. The new case material enhances the impression and in fact, it´s well over 150 gramms on the wrist!
Certainly not a lightweight watch, but as with any GP timepiece still very wearable.
A very nice feature, which the "R&D" shares with the Laureato Evo3 chronographs; the chronograph hands including a minute counter are center-mounted, which results in an unique appearance. A particularly nice detail is the central minute counter hand, which bears a small triangle on top. This is slightly angled to follow the shape of the curved and recessed inner rotating bezel, in order to minimize parellax errors and easier reading.
Those hands indicating the time are crafted in rose gold, matching the case and dial index marker material.
The chronograph counters are finely brushed and recessed, resulting in an excellent contrast with the blue steel hands.
All together, it´s a very legible model, which is further enhanced by the rich use of "compressed" Superluminova for the time indicating hands. This watch is promising to work under all light conditions. And it is one that particularly reveals how much love for such details went into it; the dials of the "R&D" range are particularly difficult to produce and feature more than 40 different elements. It´s not as simple as it may appear on casual first sight, but really invites for close inspection and admiration.
The massive case and crowns are fitted with a multiple surface finish; the upper area of the case, pushers and crowns are highly polished, while the case flanks are finely brushed. This makes for an interesting visual effect.
Something i really appreciate is the unobtrusive use of bold colours.
Girard-Perregaux is not exactly known for monochrome dials, therefore the new 49931 in rose gold makes a real difference particularly among the models of the "R&D" line. The manufacturer signature is a relatively subtle print in red colour, which picks up the colour scheme of the central minute counter hand. The "Day/Night" indication is signed as such, which lacks a corresponding visual counterweight on the left side of the dial. But particularly this slight asymmetric design makes it even more interesting to me.
Over all, the "less is more" approach results in a massive, but not at all bulky appearance and a classic, but still sportive look. To me that´s a very versatile combination which will do well with many different dress codes, while avoiding the bold, obtrusive and "in your face" look some other very heavy gold chronographs by other brands currently seem to follow.
And to me that´s a particularly sucessfull design for the "R&D" line, in that it subtly underlines the special features of this model. It´s a "sports classique" for sure and an elegant watch at the same time.
In some way, it´s a real gentleman´s watch!
Greetings from Germany,
Peter
Nice case work...
GP's pink gold case never ceased to amaze me....good job! And that RD 01 is one weird chrono where the start of chrono is activated by the lower button instead of the upper button like the usual chronograph watches That makes it interesting though!
I must agree that GP still have many pieces that is under appreciated by the collectors.....one day...one day....
Regards
Jacky
That makes it interesting though!I must agree that GP still have many pieces that is under appreciated by the collectors.....one day...one day....
Regards
Jacky
its beautiful.... love the case and the dial :)
simply amazing, its sporty yet very elegant
Is this a GMT chrono?
I'm a little confused - you write that the time-related hands are gold, the chrono-related ones are black (or blued)?
Does that mean there is no subsidiary seconds hand?
Also, is the day/night indicator only that, or can it indicate a second time zone?
Great looking watch, by the way, and great pictures too!
Thanks®ards,
Jos.
Does that mean there is no subsidiary seconds hand?
Also, is the day/night indicator only that, or can it indicate a second time zone?
Great looking watch, by the way, and great pictures too!
Thanks®ards,
Jos.
Good points! No rule without exception :-)
G'day,
in terms of the time indication, the small seconds indeed is an exception. This indication is located at 9 o'clock and features a blued hand, thus it´s a bit different from the hour/minute hands. But i think the overall balanced design benefits from this small exception!
The Day/Night-counter is just such; the hand runs continously, indicating whether or not it´s day/night time. This comes handy when setting the watch, but it can´t be set independently as for a GMT-/Travel watch.
It´s really different from the regular models so far and i´m sure it will speak to those who didn´t consider a "R&D" model yet!
Thus don´t miss a chance to see it, once they are in the stores!
Cheers,
Peter
in terms of the time indication, the small seconds indeed is an exception. This indication is located at 9 o'clock and features a blued hand, thus it´s a bit different from the hour/minute hands. But i think the overall balanced design benefits from this small exception!
The Day/Night-counter is just such; the hand runs continously, indicating whether or not it´s day/night time. This comes handy when setting the watch, but it can´t be set independently as for a GMT-/Travel watch.
It´s really different from the regular models so far and i´m sure it will speak to those who didn´t consider a "R&D" model yet!
Thus don´t miss a chance to see it, once they are in the stores!
Cheers,
Peter
R&D 01 CHRONO MOVEMENT TYPE?
I just got this beauty for many reasons, one being the extreamly smooth operation
of the chrono pushers and hands (no jumping). I thought it might be a column wheel but it does
not look like one inside the back. Does any one know the exact chrono construction?
Yes, it´s a cam/lever construction
G'day,
the new ref. 25820 and some ladies models sport a column-wheel chronograph movement.
All three-register chronograph, including the R&D, Laureato and WWTC, make use of a chronograph with a cam/lever construction.
In fact the difference is hard to tell from actual use. A well constructed and built cam/lever chronograph doesn´t have to feel different.
Cheers,
Peter
the new ref. 25820 and some ladies models sport a column-wheel chronograph movement.
All three-register chronograph, including the R&D, Laureato and WWTC, make use of a chronograph with a cam/lever construction.
In fact the difference is hard to tell from actual use. A well constructed and built cam/lever chronograph doesn´t have to feel different.
Cheers,
Peter