Lifestyle
Joffre's pursuit of horological perfection is on full display as he transforms a 'rare bird' Girard Perregaux with a champagne dial. This article delves into his meticulous customization, focusing on the aesthetic and historical significance of replacing a standard rotor with a vintage 18k yellow gold counterpart. His detailed rationale offers valuable insights into the nuanced world of watch personalization and the subtle impact of material and finishing on a timepiece's overall character.
Caught a rare bird. But as an apprentice of the Purists, something should be done to make it more beautiful.
The case is steel, which is a pity not in 18k white gold, and the standard 3300 movement with rhodium plated brass rotor also looks a bit ordinary. Maybe just a gold rotor would light it up - yes, a GOLD rotor.
To be more thoughtful, the current 18k rose gold rotor which often seen on nowadays GP’s precious metal models is not the best choice - the reason is simple: its dark pinkish color doesn’t match the champagne dial very well.
So, it should be an old style 18k yellow gold rotor from 2000s, for the reasons below:
1. The somehow faded goldish color is a best match for the dial.
2. The finish of those old rotors look more exquisite than current versions, especially the vertical Geneva stripes which show coherence with the main plates.
3. The four lined engravings - especially with “La Chaux de Fonds Suisse” recall the good memories of the “Gino” days which in worship of Sig. Luigi Macaluso.
One thing to be keep in mind is that not early than 2002 GP started to utilize ceramic ball bearings on cal.3300 and those yellow gold rotors ceased production in around 2008, so the replacing rotor should be found on a GP watch from that eras.
All done and finally, with a pair of tan croc straps, please allow me to present you this Girard-Perregaux 1957 piece unique, which I personally named it Champagne Trinité.
Congratulations on making it happen. So you 'just' sourced a rotor from a discontinued reference and it matched the movement? Cool achievement
By the way did you notice any change in chronometry/precision ? I would assume the movement is set based on his rotor and hence changing the rotor (weight, balance etc.) could change the timing precision ? Overall a very nice watch, if there was 1 thing to say is the "Automatic" which is way too big to me, and I would have thought GP would have named it Gyromatic to make it more in line with its heritage.
and the rotor itself is isolated from the power train along with the escapement by the spring barrel, so nothing will happen to the accuracy by changing the rotor. On the contrary, the efficiency of winding is believed to be improved with a gold rotor (which is more heavy), theoretically.
wider strap would help too.
Just buy the rose gold version. But the 3300 movement is great on my Laureato. I don't mind it having a stainless steel rotor. Btw. Very nice 1966 Gp. 👍 Geross.
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