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Girard-Perregaux 1966 Small Seconds - Review of a Convert

By: flamenco : January 27th, 2013-17:33

Do you remember the last time you gasped when you saw a beautiful timepiece... This is the story of my journey into the world of GP.

While GP as a company has a long (over 220 years of watchmaking), and celebrated history of creating chronometric watches, it has been largely over looked by many collectors for several reasons (not restricted),

- Quality of finishing in relation to ALS, PP, VC amongst others. This of course arguable if u reach the upper echlons of Golden Bridges (which becomes out of reach of mere mortals)

- Price of GP watches often fall on the wrong side of a Lange (for example)

- Poor residual value (which of course is a general observation)

- Designs that harks back to dayz of classics which may not appeal to many today, influenced by the big, heft and brutish

All of the above are common feedback when I asked about why do u not already own a GP in your vast collection ...

Naturally, I had the same train of thought, until ...... this very special piece came along .....

Poetry, balance, harmony, beauty are the most common terms associated with this watch. To which I all agree and more...

Its quite simply a work of art and IMO the best of GP in decades

Casework:-

Pink gold case
Diameter: 40 mm
Antireflective sapphire crystal
Sapphire case-back
Water resistance: 30 meters

40mm of well crafted pose gold.

Due to the size of the movement, the watch has a relatively thick bezel.

Well designed lugs make for a very comfortable feel on the wrist.

Side profile reveals a slimness that would woo anyone looking for a perfect dress watch.

Easy to fit under shirt cuffs. Very understated and unobtrusive with a tuxedo.

Beautiful fluted crown. Perfectly sized and well engineered to the touch.

Dial:-

The magic of this piece obviously lies in the Grand Feu Dial. A dial like no other.

Enamel and hand painted. My first enamel and can now appreciate the fuss over such a dial.

While its not very apparent, the hands are blued to perfection and classic GP. The markers work very well on the enamel dial

The rail dial lends a vintage and nostalgic feel. The way I like my dress watches .... Classic !

Movement:-

Girard-Perregaux GP03300-50 mechanical self-winding movement
Caliber: 11 ½ ’’’
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations/hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: minimum 46 hours
Jewels: 32

The business end of the watch needs little introduction. A well and truly tested workhorse.

Buckle:-

Ardillon and in Pink Gold

With the GP logo nicely etched. Off centre, nice touch.

Conclusions:-

I truly think I have found my perfect dress watch. That Grand Feu dial, the caswork and the ergonomics all adds up to an excellent timepice, bar none !

If you are on the fence about this watch, I strongly suggest u give it a serious consideration.

U will be charmed ..... as I have .....

This message has been edited by dxboon on 2013-01-27 20:16:31 This message has been edited by dxboon on 2013-01-30 07:14:00

Great catch!

By: dxboon : January 27th, 2013-20:38

This is one of my favorite pieces in the GP portfolio. Very elegant, very classy.

The dial is just right for my taste and the movement is a proven winner. You are going to have a long love affair with this watch, methinks!

Enjoy your new beauty! Thanks for the write-up!

Cheers,
Daos

Thanks Sista !

By: flamenco : January 27th, 2013-21:25

My way of contributing to the GP board, which admittedly, have been more of a spectator sport for me

Never been this excited for a long time, and this is magical ! And you truly know what I mean.

The list of "I will never sell" jus grew ever so slightly.

Thanks again for sharing in my joy !

Thx for the write up....

By: JMan : January 27th, 2013-22:23

It is such a classic watch. I am in love with the enameled dial. One of these days, I have to pull the trigger on it.....

Sooner the better !

By: flamenco : January 28th, 2013-01:15

Yes indeed a timeless classic. One that needs to be seen to truly be appreciated.

Let us know when it rests on your wrist.

Superb review on a lovely watch, Flamenco.

By: amanico : January 27th, 2013-23:08

It was a great morning pleasure to read you.

The plain enamel dial and the nicely shaped case are tow major assets of this watch, for sure.

The pin buckle brings a lot of wear comfort, once the watch on the wrist.

I understand how happy you can be!

Best, and congratulations, my friend.

Nicolas.

Thank you !

By: flamenco : January 28th, 2013-01:20

And the pleasure is all mine

As you put it , comfort and beauty are hallmarks of this timpiece.

I am not just happy , I am ecstatic ! My only regret .... not getting the watch earlier !

Now that I am opened to the world of GP , the chrono (which Andrew has reviewed) looks quite a possibility !

Thank you again !

The good news is that the Basel Fair is not too far.

By: amanico : January 28th, 2013-01:23

And I am pretty sure that we'll have some delicious surprises....

Like you, I am on a roll with GP. I think that this year I will get my 3rd...

Best,

Nicolas

U read my mind :)

By: flamenco : January 28th, 2013-01:53

Coming from you .... I am sure there will be delightful surprises in store.

Am watching this space ! For now 1966 looks like a golden year !

In the mean time, I am occupying myself with Andrew review http://gp.watchprosite.com/show-forumpost/fi-6/pi-5530068/ti-819563/s-0/

Well, my 3rd GP will not come soon, but I am working hard on it.

By: amanico : January 28th, 2013-01:56

I think it is reasonable to wait and see what the Basel Fair will reserve to us.

I already have one bor two ideas, though.

Hmmm how exciting the hunt and the wait is!

Best, my friend.

Nicolas

It's about time!

By: fernando : January 28th, 2013-04:34

I was wondering why no one here has pulled the trigger on this beauty! I'm glad it's you flamenco and some nice pics. to show. I had a hard time trying to decide if I preferred the RG or WG but in the metal the RG stood out more and seemed more appropriate for this watch.

Well done, it's a lovely piece. Now the question: is it really just a dress watch or good for all occasions?

Congrats!

fernando

Definitely RG !

By: flamenco : January 28th, 2013-18:45

The WG to me feels a bit cold. But, its bring out the dial and the blue hands much more ! So its not an easy straight forward choice.

U brought up a good point. While I was on a flight prior to this post, a well dressed gentlemen (and obviously in the know) commented on the piece, and how he was surprised it matched what I was wearing.

And .... I was in jeans, a long sleve polo t-shirt, a sports sweater (with a hoodie no less) and a pair of boots (dark brown if u must know), as casual as one can get . I will certainly put up some photos of the watch in more casual wear, and you can be your own judge !

Thank you my friend !

Congratulations!

By: mikemargolis : January 28th, 2013-05:58

That is a beautiful watch, enjoy it for many years in the best of health.

Mike Margolis
G-P USA

Thanks Mike !

By: flamenco : January 28th, 2013-18:37

Its good to see you here. Am a little surpised and very humbled by your message.

Thank you for a great job at GP ! Very much looking forward to Basel 2013 !

very beautiful GP Flamenco

By: E.S : January 28th, 2013-06:03

if only us, mere mortals can dream, the back side with 3 bridge tourbie

this would be ultimate and dream GP

enjoy your new catch

best,

Ed

Thanks Ed !

By: flamenco : January 28th, 2013-18:02

I will have the 1966 min rep from last year ! Stunning piece of work front to back.

Deserving of all the praises and accolades showered upon it thus far.

A man can always dream .........

Thanks a lot for this superb review Flamenco! [nt]

By: foversta : January 28th, 2013-14:35

No message body

Goes both ways

By: flamenco : January 28th, 2013-18:26

my small contirbution ... in return for the many more that you have done to benefit this community.

So I thank you as well !

Thank you for the review and some GP education ...

By: nilomis : January 28th, 2013-15:26

I started owning GP recently and I'm very happy with the overall design, style and movements.

I'm more a sport styled watches but yours is a killer.

Someday ... Who knows.

Congratulation for the watch and the review.

Cheers,

Nilo

Special piece

By: flamenco : January 28th, 2013-18:35

The Grand Feu is indeed special and held in high regard in my small collection. I am not sure the initial euphoria will die down. Its a magnificient piece to own.

I am embrassed when u mention education, cos I really think its the reverse all that vintage zenith, huer etc that you have been handling out very prolificly.

Thank you my dear friend !

Education ...

By: nilomis : January 29th, 2013-05:31

I mentioned "education" because all other watch collectors that I know here simply ignore this brand.

When I got my first Girard-Perregaux (Andrew's influence), all my friends tried to persuade me to not do the acquisition.

Since this time, I already made two "converts" and we are very happy with the brand.

Based on this, is that I used the "education".

Cheers,

Nilo

The 1966 is a truly gorgeous watch

By: Dje : January 29th, 2013-14:38

Hi,

I understand your love for your watch, although I still prefer mine....

Best

Dje

Is that a blue dial ?

By: flamenco : January 29th, 2013-22:28

Its gorgeous. One that I never knew existed ! Did consider the 38mm seriously due to its supreme on the wrist comfort.

Not to mention a useful date function.

However, in my case, the enamel dial won out, and since I do not already own one ever.

Its hard to go worng with either ! Thanks for the photos.

Yes it's blue dial 38mm, limited to 250 pieces. nt

By: Dje : January 30th, 2013-02:35

I think they are fundamentally different in style.

By: Ed. W : January 30th, 2013-13:23

Yours seems more modern and dressy as flamenco's seems more classical.
Just an opinion.

The beginning of a romance...

By: Mark in Paris : January 30th, 2013-11:42

I always liked the GP1966 since I discovered it 4 years ago. Back then, it was the gold indexes instead of Arabic numerals but I loved the case, the simplicity and style of the watch.

It is still today my feeling, may it be the front side or the back side and its movement.

So, congratulations flamenco, this version is the "cerise sur le gateau" in this collection with this unique dial.

Thanks for sharing all these very nice pictures too

Cheers,

Mark

(formerly Boréale)

"cerise sur le gateau"

By: flamenco : January 30th, 2013-17:47

Had to goolge that .......... now that I know what it means, need to find out how to pronunce that. LOL !

Thank you for your kind words and I feel the same about its simplicity and pureness. Magic !

Speaking of gold indices, the 1966 Chrono is looking better by the day .... RG no less

Beautiful, and nicely photographed Flamenco!

By: CaliforniaJed : January 30th, 2013-15:19

I really like it, too. Congratulations.