Girard-Perregaux Railtimer 8856 Chronometer HF

Crown comfort's discovery of a Girard-Perregaux Railtimer Ref. 8856 unearths a fascinating connection between Swiss horology and Canadian history. This article explores the unique features of this vintage timepiece, its historical context with the Canadian Railway, and its significance to collectors.

Now what has Canada to do with watches? And even more with Girard-Perregaux??

If we think of Canada, we think nature or Maple Syrup.

Or even better, Canadian Icewine!

But watches?

Perhaps there is a connection. And it has to do with the Canadian Railway.

Girard-Perregaux was the chosen manufacture for providing Railtimer wristwatches to the Canadian Railway in the late 60ies and early 70ies.

And look what I found on my recent trip to Canada!

A wonderful, original GP Railtimer, Ref 8856.

It’s a manual wind Chronometer HF with Caliber 30.7

From what I could find out, a number of different versions of the Railtimer were made. Most with the manual wind HF movement. I have seen 2 different dial versions, some with “0” at the top and others, like mine with the regular “12”. All do have 24 hour numbers in smaller print on an inner ring.

My dial version has “Railtimer” printed on it, while others have “307-HF-0” printed which seems to be a reference to the caliber. The watch was available in gold and steel, but I think the Steel is a much better fit and more desirable.

One innovative feature is the hacking feature (stop-seconds) to precisely set the time. I read that this was the first manual wind watch with that feature and it has been patented by GP, but I’m not sure this is true.

On the wrist it shines, and the orange seconds hand is very prominent.

 Best,

CC