While I have not always been enamored of absolutely everything that Girard-Perregaux has offered ups these past few years, I have to say that when they stick to their grammar, that is when they offer the sort of things that make them (at least in my eyes) Girard-Perregaux, there is no finer watch out there. And the stainless steel 1966 ticks all of those boxes.
It is beautiful in its simplicity. 12 indices, a legible date window, and an understated elegance that is beguiling.
Other brands have made their stainless interpretations of dress watches, and in all honesty I can't say that I "get them". This watch, however, is "another piece of toast". It is special.
Here are the specs -
Material : Steel
Diameter : 40.00 mm
Height : 8.90 mm
Case-back : Sapphire crystal
Water resistance : 30 metres (3 ATM)
Movement : GP03300-0030, self-winding mechanical movement
Calibre : 11 ½’’’
Jewels : 27
Power reserve : min. 46 hours
Functions : Hour, minute, second, date
NOW - when this watch first launched I said some things that you might feel contradictory to the comments above. In fact, I still stand by what I said then. This is not a retraction, rebuttal or re-framing. And if I do have an issue, it is about pricing. But - and this is a big but - I do not see ANY of the "manufacturers" coming to any clear sense of reality in terms of what things really should be priced at, and the great stocks of unsold watches no longer being soaked up by the Chinese market bear that out. So to that extent, GP is in the same company as the others.
And sometimes it is safe to say that we love watches despite the price. And for me, this is one of them.
And this watch is beautiful. At 40 mm it is a welcome return to rationality in terms of proportion. It is a watch that will be worn - not hidden in a vault. And it is the type of watch that will be proudly handed down to the next generation.
At times I have to remind myself why I REALLY write about this stuff. It is not to do market analysis, deconstruct celebrity endorsements or crow about how much I know. Truth be told, I write about watches because I love watches. And when viewed on its own merits - as a watch, this is one that I appreciate.
It's hard not to be romantic about watches.
![]() |
Courtesy of Girard Perregaux |
Other brands have made their stainless interpretations of dress watches, and in all honesty I can't say that I "get them". This watch, however, is "another piece of toast". It is special.
Here are the specs -
Material : Steel
Diameter : 40.00 mm
Height : 8.90 mm
Case-back : Sapphire crystal
Water resistance : 30 metres (3 ATM)
Movement : GP03300-0030, self-winding mechanical movement
Calibre : 11 ½’’’
Jewels : 27
Power reserve : min. 46 hours
Functions : Hour, minute, second, date
NOW - when this watch first launched I said some things that you might feel contradictory to the comments above. In fact, I still stand by what I said then. This is not a retraction, rebuttal or re-framing. And if I do have an issue, it is about pricing. But - and this is a big but - I do not see ANY of the "manufacturers" coming to any clear sense of reality in terms of what things really should be priced at, and the great stocks of unsold watches no longer being soaked up by the Chinese market bear that out. So to that extent, GP is in the same company as the others.
And sometimes it is safe to say that we love watches despite the price. And for me, this is one of them.
And this watch is beautiful. At 40 mm it is a welcome return to rationality in terms of proportion. It is a watch that will be worn - not hidden in a vault. And it is the type of watch that will be proudly handed down to the next generation.
At times I have to remind myself why I REALLY write about this stuff. It is not to do market analysis, deconstruct celebrity endorsements or crow about how much I know. Truth be told, I write about watches because I love watches. And when viewed on its own merits - as a watch, this is one that I appreciate.
It's hard not to be romantic about watches.
No comments:
Post a Comment