What I'd Buy Myself - A Boxing Day Bonus

I have always been a sucker for the Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945.  And having spent a wee-bit of time with Stefano Macaluso for the Henki Time Podcast - Henki Time Podcast it is now a grail (I owe myself a quarter for using the G word).

Courtesy of Girard-Perregaux

It is, quite simply, perfect.

Now I know that square/rectangular cases are not for everyone, and it may not be your jam, but this one speaks to me.

Should you be so inclined, here are the pertinents -

The case is of gold, and measures 36.10 x 
35.25 mm.  

Hours, minutes, sub-seconds, large date and moon phase.  The movement is the GP03300-0062.

Obviously it is not a trifle, but if you can't treat yourself...

The Vintage 1945 XXL Large Date and Moon Phases

From Girard-Perregaux -

Courtesy of Girard-Perregaux

CASE

Material: 

Steel

Diameter: 

36,10 x 35,25 mm

Height: 

11,74 mm

Case-back: 

Sapphire crystal

Dial: 

Polycristalline

Water resistance: 

3 ATM

STRAP

Size: 

24,00 / 19,00 mm

Material: 

Alligator

Blue

Buckle: 

Folding

Buckle material: 

Steel

CALIBRE

Number: 

GP03300-0105

Type: 

Self-winding mechanical movement

Diameter: 

25,60 mm (11 1/2’’’)

Height: 

4,90 mm

Frequency: 

28,800 Vib/h – (4 Hz)

Number of components: 

282

Jewels: 

32

Oscillating weight: 

Steel

Finishes: 

Côtes de Genève, circular graining and bevelling 

Power reserve: 

Min. 46 hours

FUNCTIONS

Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, moon phases indicator.

What Do YOU Really Like?

Perhaps the single biggest thing that influences what is promoted, what you see, what you read about in terms of watches?  Money.  
$ + media outlet/influencer = coverage.  It is a pretty basic formula that has been in place long before I started doing this, and will no doubt still be in use when I move on to other things.  It has gotten to such a point that I have very serious doubts about what I am reading out there.  

In speaking with my colleagues, I often hear comments about "having to cover" watch brand X as they are an advertiser, or because brand X has (in some manner) paid for the exposure/coverage.  And in fairness to watch brand X, they often have to subtly (or not so subtly) grease the journalist/influencer/outlet in order to get their watch covered at all.  It is a wonderfully symbiotic relationship that will, in the end, result in mutual damage.  
 
So this morning, I thought I'd simply think about the things that I actually like.  And there is one watch out there that has always beguiled me.  It has been on my wish list since Satan was in short pants - the Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945.  

Courtesy of Girard-Perregaux

Needless to say, opinions are like backsides, and there are many out there that think mine stink.  But having said that, this one turns my crank.  The shape, the dial, the whole shooting match.  It is a fantastic watch.  

Now I say this despite the fact that GP is still in a bit of a fog.  My hope is that someday Prince Charming will come along and kiss it back to life, along with some understanding about how to actually run the enterprise.  

But at least on this point, you know where I stand.

 

A Stocking Stuffer from Girard-Perregaux

For those of you who have been particularly nice this year - the Vintage 1945 from 

Girard-Perregaux!

Courtesy of Girard-Perregaux

Happy Holidays!

Hold your Breath, Make a Wish, Count to Three...

So despite my feelings about Girard-Perregaux 6.0, I would like to share some "happy" memories from BaselWorld.

Now being a modest university employee, this is as close as I might come to the feeling of something this awesome on my wrist, but credit where credit is due.  Girard-Perregaux is in many ways, a dream factory.  And this watch?  The SHIT THAT KILLED ELVIS!

So as words seem cheap and poor at such moments -

The Vintage 1945.

Not too bad as anniversaries go ; )

You Get to Pick 1 of Each - Girard-Perregaux

Like all people we have soft spots.  We have what can sometimes be referred to as irrational loyalties, wants and desires.  Thus it would seem my (some might say) unreasonable affection for Girard-Perregaux could be "semi-reasonably" explained ; )

So bearing that in mind, and as we are now in the 5th year of Tempus Fugit  -

Courtesy of Girard-Perregaux

The Vintage 1945 in many ways is an active bridge from Girard-Perregaux's rich past, and it's future.

The case is of pink gold, measuring 32 x 32 mm.  The movement is GP's 

GP3300.  Self winding with 46 hours of power reserve.  So if I could have 1, this would be it.

Vintage 1945 Lady

From Girard-Perregaux

Courtesy of Girard-Perregaux

This is a very idealized version of  the Vintage 1945 with a brown lacquer dial featuring an inner chapter ring with 42 diamonds.  But it the diamond goodness doesn't stop there, with two sides of the bezel displaying 30 diamonds as well.

Courtesy of Girard-Perregaux

The case is stainless steel measuring  28.20 x 27.86 mm.  With an anti-reflective sapphire crystal on top, and a sapphire crystal display back.

But with Girard-Perregaux being a manufacturer, you always want to know about the movement -

Girard-Perregaux's GP02700-0003 is ticking away at a frequency of 28’800 Vib/h - (4 Hz).  It is 

a mechanical, self-winding movement, and boasts a power reserve of 36 hours.

It is available with either a stainless steel bracelet or a "chocolate" alligator strap.  I presume that "chocolate" refers to the color, and does not mean an actual "chocolate alligator".

Courtesy of Girard-Perregaux

Here are the specs, straight from the source -

Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945, Lady 

Technical Specifications

Case in steel

Dimensions: 28,20 x 27,86 mm

Thickness: 10,21 mm

Crystal: anti-reflective sapphire

Dial: two colors, brown lacquered

Case-back: sapphire crystal, secured by four screws

Water resistance: 30 meters (3 ATM)

Setting

Bezel: 30 brilliant-cut diamonds, ~ 0,55 ct

Dial: 42 brilliant-cut diamonds, ~ 0,105 ct

Total setting: 72 brilliant-cut diamonds, ~ 0,655 ct

Girard-Perregaux movement GP02700-0003

Mechanical, self-winding movement

Diameter: 19,40 mm (8 ^3/4 ’’’)

Thickness: 4,20 mm

Frequency: 28’800 Vib/h - (4 Hz)

Power reserve: min. 36 hours

Jewels: 26

Functions: hour, minute, date

Chocolate alligator strap, grey alligator lining strap with grey stitching 

Triple safety folding buckle in steel

Reference: 25860D11A1A2-CKBA

Steel bracelet

Triple safety folding buckle in steel

Reference: 25860D11A1A2-11A