Girard-Perregaux Modern Collection: Big Three

Crown comfort presents a captivating look at his 'Big Three' modern Girard-Perregaux watches, showcasing the brand's diverse capabilities. His personal collection highlights GP's mastery in complications and design, inviting fellow collectors to appreciate the nuances of each piece. This post serves as an excellent reference for enthusiasts interested in contemporary Girard-Perregaux horology.

Friends,

I really love vintage watches and exploring the vintage world of GP has been a fantastic journey over the last few years as my growing vintage collection can testify.

However, I started off with modern GPs and I do come back to modern GPs again and again and therefore have also been evolving my modern collection quite a bit. At this point, most of my modern GPs are true keepers and will stay, however, I can surely pick three out of that collection that I call my Big Three. Why, because those really represent dream watches to me and I frankly never thought I could realise those dreams. With a bit of luck, perseverance and some painful decision however, I’m very proud to have this GP trio at the pinnacle of my modern collection.

So here is a reverse “pyramid” of those three - my style - without needing to worry about scratches. Yes, shame on me, but I do worry about scratches and although I wear my watches very often, I am usually very careful and mindful.

So let’s look at them individually…

1)   Girard-Perregaux 1966 Chronograph 49542

This one of the three is the longest in my collection and that is no surprise. Chronographs are my favourite complication. I just simply like the dial layouts and the mechanical workings of a Chronograph. I have many GP Chronographs in my collection, but the 1966 is very special. First it is my only coloured gold chronograph that is not just a sports watch, but more like a dress watch. But make no mistake, even with pink gold and the classic 1966 case, this watch can also look casual. At 42mm it has a big presence on the wrist and with the very visible tachy-scale it muscles its way into the tool watch category. That somewhat contradicting approach is a big attraction for me.

2)   Girard-Perregaux ww.tc Tribute to John Harrison, 49870

The ww.tc John Harrison has certainly been the highlight of my additions so far. No need to discuss the reasons in much detail. The tribute to a great English watchmaking pioneer and that lovely enamel dial, just makes this watch stand out by a mile. And there is the World Timer complication. On a first look, it seems a very simple thing to do, all you need is a 24hr rotating ring and a city ring. However, the art in making a World Timer all lies in finding the right balance and measures so a complete harmony is achieved. To make a World Timer visually pleasing is the real challenge and the GP ww.tc is among the few that excel in that exercise. A true icon, I’m utterly happy to have in my collection.

3)   Girard-Perregaux 1966 Annual Calendar, Equation of Time, 49538

At first look, the 1966 EoT is a somewhat odd looking watch with a lot of asymmetry on the dial. And I can understand if some people shy away from that. However, the real qualities of the dial come to life in every day use and the longer I have this watch, the more I’m convinced about that layout. This is my latest addition to the Big Three and among the three, probably the one that is most an understatement watch. Neither a massive pink gold case nor a vibrantly coloured enamel dial, but there are a lot of inner qualities. The Annual Calendar complication together with the GP Microvar free-sprung balance and that special dial layout that makes this Annual Calendar so easy to operate and set, is a very convincing package. This watch has quickly won my heart and joins the Big Three gang without hesitation.

Best,

CC