Its been a while since Girard Perregaux featured on SIHH. The last time the grande dame was on the roster was in 2012. But for SIHH 2017, they are back. The pre-SIHH release are two watches: the GP 1966 ww.tc and a new ladies Laureato.
The GP 1966 ww.tc
The Girard Perregaux ww.tc is a legend on its own, combining a chronograph with a world time function in a watch priced very modestly (especially the steel model). The ww.tc is now introduced as part of their classic 1966 collection.
The ww.tc has always been a good tool travel watch. Good clarity in the dial, and the availability of the chronograph is an excellent device for the traveler. But this new watch is now available as a simpler travel watch. The world time function is kept, but to keep the dial and operations simple, as well as the pricing down, the chronograph is deleted. The added bonus is the dial is now even cleaner. Clarity and legibility, especially for the sleep deprived traveler is now better.
The GP ww.tc in a rose gold case.
The abbreviation ww.tc stands for World Wide Time Control. Its two characteristic crowns on either side of the case soon made it one of the brand’s most iconic models.
A rotating 24-hour disc surrounding the chapter ring features two black/white semi-circles to distinguish between day and night. Settings are performed via the two crowns at 9 and 3 o’clock: the first serves to position the reference city at noon; and the second to adjust the hours and minutes – with which the 24-hour disc is automatically synchronised.
The dial of the GP 1866 ww.tc is a model of clarity and legibility. Twenty four cities around the world are laid out on the dial.
Powered by a Manufacture automatic movement GP c.3300 and fitted with an additional module developed in-house, the 1966 ww.tc has a 46-hour power reserve. In a sign of its excellent finishing, this calibre enables the time and reference city to be set in both directions. A subsidiary sweep of the small seconds hand at 6 o’clock serves as a reliable operating indicator.
Available in the stainless steel case with either a standard alligator leather strap or a stainless steel bracelet as shown.
In tribute to a particularly important year for Girard-Perregaux, the 1966 collection is distinguished by several characteristics: the case is topped by a slim, delicately polished bezel framing a generous opaline dial, protected by a sapphire crystal glass and swept over by the line’s signature “leaf-type” hands. The transparent case-back reveals a mechanism meticulously straight-grained, chamfered, circular-grained and adorned with Côtes de Genève. The Girard-Perregaux 1966 ww.tc is available in two versions: one in pink gold with a black alligator leather strap; and the other in steel.
GP Laureato 34
The GP Laureato is perhaps one of the lesser icons, if one may speak of such, among the great luxury sports watches. Launched in 1975, after the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak (1972) but before the Patek Philippe Nautilus (196), it has grew in status, but almost always have stayed a well kept connoiseur’s secret. The Laureato Tourbillon with Three Sapphire Bridges is one supreme example.
But we digress. For 2017, GP announces the first ever Laureato for the ladies. Cased in a 34mm case, with the characteristic octagonal bezel within the round bezel, the watch will also sport 56 brilliant-cut diamonds totalling 0.82 cts.
The GP Laureato 34.
The watch will be available in either steel, or pink gold and steel, or 18K pink gold. And with an alligator leather strap or a bracelet.The bracelet design has its first links are the same width as the case, while the last ones close to the clasp are distinctly narrower. This progressively slimmer design also applies to the the models fitted with an alligator strap, available in a choice of white, black or anthracite grey and secured by a dainty triple-blade folding clasp. The movement is a GP manufacture quartz movement.
We look forward to photographing both the GP 1966 ww.tc and the Laureato 34 at the PalExpo halls in January and bring you detailed reports on both.
Girard Perregaux pre-SIHH2017 Specifications
GP 1966 ww.tc
Case
Material: steel or 18K pink gold
Diameter: 40.00 mm
Thickness: 12.00 mm
Crystal: sapphire glass
Case-back: sapphire
Dial: opaline silver-toned
Hands: leaf-type
Water resistance. 30 metres (3 ATM, 3 bar)
Movement
Reference: GP03300-0022/0027 (pink gold/steel model), automatic
Diameter: 25.60 mm (11½’’’)
Thickness: 5.71 mm
Frequency: 28,800 Vib/h – (4 Hz)
Number of components: 248
Jewels: 32
Power reserve: min. 46 hours
Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, world time with day/night indicator
Strap/Bracelet
Leather strap: alligator leather with topstitching
Metal bracelet: steel
Clasp: folding type in steel or 18K pink gold
Reference: 49557-52-131-BB6C (pink gold model, alligator leather strap)
Reference: 49557-11-132-BB6C (steel model, alligator leather strap)
Reference: 49557-11-132-11A (steel model, steel bracelet)
GP Laureato 34
Case
Material: steel, or pink gold and steel, or 18K pink gold
Gemsetting: bezel set with 56 brilliant-cut diamonds totalling 0.82 cts
Diameter: 34.00 mm
Thickness: 7.75 mm
Crystal: sapphire glass
Case-back: solid
Dial: silver-toned or slate grey or blue, with “Clou de Paris” hobnail motif
Hands: baton-type, enhanced with a luminescent substance
Water resistance: 30 metres (3 ATM, 3 bar)
Movement
References: GP013100-0002/0003/0004 (silver-toned/grey/blue dial versions), quartz,
Diameter: 20.80 mm (9 ¼’’’)
Thickness: 1.91 mm
Frequency: 32,768 Hz
Jewels: 7
Functions: hours, minutes, date
Strap/Bracelet
Leather strap: white or anthracite grey or black alligator leather, with topstitching
Metal bracelet: steel, or pink gold and steel, or 18K pink gold, with alternating polished and satin-brushed surfaces
Clasp: triple folding type, in steel or 18K pink gold
The timepieces fitted with an alligator leather strap are delivered with an additional rubber strap.
