Vintage
Blomman Mr Blue takes us back to 1967, a pivotal year for Girard-Perregaux at the Neuchâtel Observatory. He showcases a Girard-Perregaux Observatory Chronometer B-2153, inviting the community to delve into the historical significance and technical prowess of these highly accurate timepieces.
I am back!
After a well needed family vacation in the sun I am back home.
This Thursday I would like to throw you back to the 1967…
We all know what happen that year at the Neuchatel Observatory in Switzerland.
Girard-Perregaux dominated and was awarded the larger part of all Chronometer certificates from the Neuchatel Observatory that year!
This box contains one of these watches…
Quite anonymous on the outside…
The Girard-Perregaux Observatory Chronometer B-2153.
The inside tells another story!
High frequency Chronometer
Certified Observatory Chronometer
GP Winner of the first centenary award, astronomical observatory de Neuchatel, 1967
Self-winding
Water-resistant
Shock-resistant
Anti-magnetic
Guaranteed accuracy
Exactly how many of the Chronometers that actually stayed for the longer tests and became not only Chronometer but Observatory Chronometer is unclear.
This document from 1968 state:
662 watches were awarded Chronometer certificate.
73% of all Chronometer certificates that year.
Here is another document from 1968 stating the same 73%.
Now, my understanding is that only a partial of the 662 watches actually became Observatory Chronometer.
But how many I am not sure…
And unfortunately, the manufacture does not have any records left about this detail.
How many different references was equipped with Observatory Chronometer movements?
So far, I have observed this version, the reference B-2153 and the more famous reference 8795.
Would be interesting to know if there were any other reference using these movements, Calibre 32A.
At least, I have confirmation from external source that my watch was part of the 1967 batch of Observatory Chronometers and received a N-score of 10.01*.
Best
Blomman
* N-score is derived from:
Average deviation of daily rate
Temperature coefficient
Secondary temperature deviation
Rate resumption
Average deviation in position changes
This message has been edited by KIH on 2018-10-29 05:57:05 This message has been edited by Baron - Mr Red on 2018-10-29 09:49:26Thanks for sharing this treasure
the Holy Grail of vintage GPs. Just amazing. Let's hope that one day we will find a good reliable source that can give affirmative details on the "Observatory Chronometers". And AHH that box... Best and glad to have you back my friend. CC
Amazing full set of one of cult and very very rare vintage pieces from G-P....what I gathered only 40 to max 60 movements got Observatory certificate and their movement numbers can be found in Neuchatel Observatory records! See the color of the inside of box Cheers D
Have you tried getting documentation from the Observatory; or FHH?
Thank you, RG - that reminds me I should post some other boxes over at the JLC forum...! Best Blomman
You know me, always something hidden for a rainy day...! Best Blomman
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