Girard Perregaux

crown comfort
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1966 Ref 49525, my experience

I wanted to share more of my thoughts on the classic, 3-hands 1966, Ref 49525, having lived with it for over 2 years. Unlike Blomman’ test watrch, I have the Rose Gold case. In came standard with a non-stitching black strap, making it a classic dress watch.

However, I believe this watch is much more versatile. Since I wear it with the light brown, stitched strap, it also goes well with business casual. Maybe not a watch for T-Shirt and Shorts, but with Jeans and a shirt it matches very well.

A lot of comments have been made about considering another 1966 model with complications.  Yes, the Chronograph is very nice, or the small seconds enamel dial or the full calendar…, but, no other 1966 is such a timeless classic and will look fresh even 50 years later. I think it is the perfect start into the 1966 collection, rather skipping over this and going with a more complicated model.

The feature that is most prominent on this watch is the sweeping blued steel seconds hand and the egg-white dial. I think in combination with Rose Gold it reaches perfection. Would I consider the white gold? Yes, but only as second choice, perhaps with the black dial (but then the date window sticks too much out).

A lot of esthetic concerns have been raised on two features on this watch.

The Date Window:

Frankly, I think the date window is well integrated and belongs to the design of the 3-hands dress watch. I think without, something would be missing. I think the story is a different one for a smaller case, hand-wind dress watch. So at least on the white dial, I’m believe the date window is mandatory.

Size of the caliber:

Many say the caliber is too small for the case. Really? I think keeping the movement small maintains the skills at the watchmaker to produce delicate mechanical complications and I think it is not realistic to expect a different movement for each model/case size. I think the 38mm case fits very well with the deployed movement. I also don’t think that the date window is too centered. The 41mm case 1966 has a bigger size caliber, but overall I find 38mm the perfect size for a dial without complications.

Finally, some thoughts on straps. I have 3 different straps. The original black, no-stitching, the current deployed tan brown with stitching and I also have another darker brown, no-stitching. Right now I’m most happy with the versatile tan brown strap.

So my final verdict. I believe the 1966, Ref 49525 is the perfect 1966 to start with. It’s a classic, timeless design that will not age. My recommendation would be the Rose Gold with egg-white dial. That will leave room for dreaming about a white gold Chronograph with blue dial.

Best,

CC