Girard Perregaux

It is only recently that I bought my first GP....a vintage piece. My main passion is Rolex, though I also dabble in Patek, JLC, Omega and Blancpain. My question is a simple one. What does Girard Perregaux mean to you?

I guess it is no secret that now for few years already, GP is my big passion, even before I was also owning a Patek, IWC and others.

Have you ever tried to contact one of the better known manufacturers at the top end directly (e.g. for a different dial)? Very likely no answer whatever was forthcoming. Girard Perregaux is different. They are very approachable and enthusiastic. They not only offer top products (particularly if you collect world time watches), but have a lot of real empathy for their customers. Presenting so prominently their young watchmakers in books and promotion activities (instead of paid stars) also underlines how they tick, i.e. without the arrogance you often meet elsewhere. For me it is thus foremost a brand you feel in some way "involved" as customer, for what experience or feeling you have otherwise to be a customer of one of the artisan watchmakers.

BM

and welcome to the forum. This is another aspect associated with GP, totally agree.

Perhaps you can share with us in a little introduction if you own any GPs?

Thanks,

CC

I only have four (so far and I have missed a few at auctions) GP's with their manufactured years from approximately 1938 to 2001, specifically chosen because they each have a different styles with flair.   I can almost track the case design routes into the latest GP's now on offer.   I have never met anyone else face to face who owns a GP, which satisfies my desire to be different.   Each year GP only manufactures a relatively few watches with high quality IMO.   Did not Ian Fleming write in Casino Royal at the opening that Bond wore a GP?   Not my reason for owning GP but an indication of considered, understated style.   However there are some GP's (Hawk) that are not my type!

A modern Rolex is too common and I think rather vulgar and overstated.   Look at the annual production.   Nearly as many as Seiko/Citizen!   "I have made it, so I have one!"   I  do confess to owning only one Rolex, but it dates from 1936 and is with an art deco case and dial, which I love.   Now only ever worn at home to preserve it from dust and moisture although it was much admired a while ago when I occasionally wore it on holiday at dinner.

I can vouch for the service from GP Switzerland.   One of my Ritcheville's had a missing case-back screw after it was returned from a service with my local repairer.   I think he had not noticed and I did not wish to upset him because he is very valuable to me and did a wonderful job in bringing that watch to "as new" regulation.

I emailed GP and asked for a replacement screw and a spare, offering to pay, plus postage etc.   I was quickly sent 4 replacement screws, absolutely free gratis.   Perhaps I should not shout about that!   That compares with the lack of help I have experienced from other manufacturers who only want to have the whole watch sent in for an expensive service (and an awful case polish and re-dial) when a small part like a setting spring is all that is needed.   Thank heaven for the internet!   I digress.

Best wishes to fellow GP lovers!

    

  

on my Laureato Evo3 I like to change straps, but there are no spring bars but screws on that watch and one screw was stuck. They have sent me without charge a pair of screw/tubes for my watch. My watchmaker friend managed to losen the the screw and replace it but don't ask how he did it

Underdog of high horology...in most positive and complimentary sense...

With watches such as the Operas, the tourbillon with gold bridges and so on....

Very well finished, amazing, surprising....

I always had a big love affair with the brand, a love affair which is still strong!

Much less pedantic than certain other brands.

Best,

Nicolas

This message has been edited by amanico on 2014-10-23 14:30:48

my introduction to mechanical watches. I've owned more than a dozen. Most of them were Gyromatics from 1958-1968. However, the reference 7427 Damier I sometimes regret selling. It was NOS and is 50 years old this year. I still own a 1950 Calibre 03 which retains its hang tag, box, and most importantly, original finish on the dial. Rose gold, Argentina case.

I do find that when selling vintage GP before buying new models from ADs, it's a hard sell. Every time. With papers, unique hang tags, box, doesn't matter how rare it is. And the discounts demanded mean that the brand name suffers in terms of any prestige it may have once had.

This is my opinion, you may disagree.

Probably due to my relative lack of culture of all things GP, I see a few trees rather than a forest.

increasing focus in innovation and marketing awareness.

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although if I don't own this watch, I will probably get the PP world timer, when I can afford it, haha.

Having said that, I am very happy with this watch and I don't see a need for a "similar" world timer.

Being able to feel contented makes one feels happy ....otherwise, this journey will never end and will always be looking for grails.

 

Rgds

Raymond

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And your Traveller WW.TC!

since I also have the GP Italian Club Laureato Evo3, with honey color strap, limited to 50 pieces, which I will try to do some picture sharing when time permits.

I love GPs, too.

Thanks for moderating this forum....nice job!

 

Rgds

Raymond

GP Club Ltd Edition with honey brown strap

I like the color combination of this watch. It's using the Italian flag color and the black dial details make it stood out. In fact, there was a review/post by a fellow purist PeterCDE in Dec 2005 about this watch. Nice to see you bro! Here some pictures to share! Rgds Raymond

Should be torturing you! Not the other way around....

 

Best

Blomman

it is so underrated, if people with AP ROO or similar only knew what they are missing.

Nice memories!

Best,

Nicolas

Looking forward to see much more from you!

 

Best

Blomman

Long extensive history of fine watchmaking and craftsmanship…

 

Interesting pallet of vintage wrist watches….

 

Haute horlogerie at its finest…..

 

Innovative and “thinking outside the box”……

 

Achieving all of the above…With a smile and sense of humor!

 

Thank you for a great post, dear friend!

 

Best

Blomman

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