dxboon's original post from 2012 introduces the Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 Large Date Moon-Phases, a timepiece that exemplifies the brand's commitment to blending classic Art Deco aesthetics with contemporary watchmaking. This article revisits the initial announcement, highlighting the watch's design philosophy and technical specifications as presented at SIHH 2012. It offers a valuable look back at a significant release within the Vintage 1945 collection, underscoring its enduring appeal and technical prowess.
PRESS RELEASEGIRARD-PERREGAUX, VINTAGE 1945 LARGE DATE MOON-PHASES
Contemporary vision of a timeless watch
At the same time classic and cutting-edge, the Vintage 1945 collection is a symbol of contemporary watchmaking that Girard-Perregaux has been careful to perfect. Taking its strong lines from the Art Deco movement, the new Vintage 1945 Large Date Moon-Phases incorporates an emblematic design. Its case, with its skilfully rounded shapes in both directions, houses a Girard-Perregaux mechanical movement with automatic winding that displays a large date and moon-phases on an equally curved dial. This contemporary piece is a resounding success in both aesthetic and technical terms.
Girard-Perregaux has made its mark on the history of timeless watches. For over 50 years, the Vintage 1945 collection has represented an inexhaustible source of inspiration for the Manufacture. Its strong design, alternation of lines and curves, and personality blending classicism with modernity have paved the way for unique creations. These include the legendary limited-edition Vintage 1945 Tourbillon with three gold Bridges featuring rhodium-plated skeletonised bridges. Remaining faithful to the spirit of the collection, Girard-Perregaux presents a new Vintage 1945 Large Date Moon-Phases that is in all respects tied to the essence of its predecessors. Its roots: a pure style, perfect symmetry and a Manufacture mechanical movement.
With its perfect circle and open case-back that displays the movement, the Vintage 1945 Large Date Moon-Phases perfectly embodies the spirit of the collection. All the time displays are harmoniously arranged and readable at a glance. At 12 o'clock, the instant large date displays the date on a pair of discs – one of which is transparent – in a patented system. It beats the tempo with a railway minute track that runs around the dial. The hands and applied Arabic numerals display the time with simplicity. The meticulously crafted curved hour markers are particularly delicate. Traditionally positioned at 6 o'clock, the raised moon-phases indicator is presented beneath a sky of perfect clarity.
Combining aesthetics with a beautiful mechanism is a golden rule at Girard-Perregaux. With its 282 components, the calibre Girard-Perregaux 03300-0062 features precision characteristics that are the Manufacture's own. Exceptionally reliable, it beats to a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. The list of finishes resembles an anthology of ornamental High Watchmaking traditions: the rhodium-plated mainplate boasts circular diamond-polishing and circular-graining of the visible and non-functional areas. These preciously decorated bridges create a gentle harmony: circular diamond-polishing, circular-graining on the trottoir and Côtes de Genève decoration. The wheels are gilded, the pivots burnished and the drum of the barrel embellished with a sunray finish.
The Manufacture has turned to its expert craftsmanship in order to place its Art-Deco-spirited collection in the limelight once again. The Vintage 1945 Large Date Moon-Phases presents perfect classicism and unity between form, function and the nuances of the materials. It remains a true artistic icon, a worthy heir to Girard-Perregaux's unique history.
GIRARD-PERREGAUX, VINTAGE 1945 LARGE DATE MOON-PHASES
Technical specifications
Pink gold or steel case with anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Case-back closed with 4 screws with sapphire crystal
Dimensions: 36.10 mm x 35.25 mm
Water resistance: 30 metres
Crown: pink gold or steel with engraved GP logo
Girard-Perregaux 03300-0062 movement
Mechanical with automatic winding
Display: hours, minutes, small seconds, large date, moon-phases indicator
Dimensions: 11½''' x 12¾''' – 25.60 mm x 28.80 mm
Total height: 4.90 mm
Number of components: 282
Jewels: 32
Power reserve: minimum 46 hours
Winding: automatic, 5N18 gold oscillating weight on the pink gold model and bi-metallic on the steel model
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations / hour (4 Hz)
Black alligator strap
Folding clasp in pink gold or steel
References
Pink gold: 25882-52-121-BB6B
Steel: 25882-11-121-BB6B
This message has been edited by dxboon on 2012-01-16 12:56:15 This message has been edited by dxboon on 2012-01-20 07:35:43
