Girard-Perregaux 1976 Olimpico Chronographs Part #1: 9238 FA

Nov 19, 2015,00:12 AM
 

Friends,

 

As mentioned, for the last year I have been working the Girard-Perregaux Olimpico Chronograph theme and I am now finally ready to put the first post dedicated to the 1976 Olimpico online!

This part #1 will be dedicated to the Olimpico Chronographs 9238 FA.


For me the 1976 Summer Olympic Games is a bit special to me since this is the first Game I remember seeing on television! 

The big news was of course the only 14 years old gymnast from Rumania Nadia Comăneci. 

She returned home with three Gold medals including the prestigious All-Around program gold.


The game was held in Montreal, Canada, the first Olympic Game to be held in Canada. 

The big winners of the game were the old Eastern bloc, Soviet Union 125 medals and East Germany 90 medals. 

USA got 94 medals but 6 gold medals less than East Germany…


Sylvester Stallone played “Rocky Balboa” for the first time…


And Clint Eastwood directed and played in the Outlaw Josey Wales.

The cover is MichaelC’s avatar here in the forum:


Yup, a lot of childhood memories….

smile

 

But let’s have a closer look at the watch.


The Girard-Perregaux Olimpico Chronograph reference 9238 FA:


In 1976 GP made 1 000 of these watches.

They are big and bulky with typical 70’s design!

smile

The cushion shaped stainless steel case is 42 mm across and 45.5 mm lug to lug.

Strong bi-directional bezel with 60 minutes scale.

Big doomed crystal and screw down case back.


If I am correct, two versions existed: black dial with metal color bezel and white dial with black bezel (I have not been able to verify the white version).

Mine is the black dial version with the metal bezel.

Classic 12 hours chronograph layout of the dial, running seconds at nine, chronograph minutes at three and hours at six.

Sub-dials are white to give the watch the “Panda” look.

Tachymeter scale 50 – 250 outside the minute track.

Applied luminous indexes and luminous material on the hands as well.

The red mark of the first five minutes on the chrono gives the dial just a splash of color.


The pushers are located well into the case side for protection and support.

Minimizing the risk of breaking them or get stuck in something.

In between is nice proportioned crown, easy to operate due to the size.


Inside we find the GP caliber 27-0 based on the Valjoux 726.


The difference between Valjoux 726 and Valjoux 72, if I understand correctly is that the later beats with 18 000 Vph while the Valjoux 726 holds the speed of 21 600 Vph.

Here is an identification sheet of the Valjoux 72:


Price back in 1976: on strap 450 Swiss Franc on bracelet CHF 470.

 

And on the wrist…? The sky is the limit!

smile


As many of you may know, I really like the Funky 70’s design and this is no exception.

Even if quite big, the watch sits perfect on your wrist with a very nice presence!

smile

Before I end this post: one common misunderstanding is that Girard-Perregaux only made one Olimpico reference per Olympic Game…

That is NOT the case!

Stay tuned, I will return to the Girard-Perregaux 1976 Olimpico Chronographs with more!

 

Best

Blomman

 

Related posts, Girard-Perregaux 1968 Olimpico Chronographs:

8846 N, part #1:  www.watchprosite.com

8846 N, part #2:  www.watchprosite.com


This message has been edited by blomman on 2015-11-19 00:16:58

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Comments: view entire thread

 

Ah, finally!

 
 By: crown comfort : November 19th, 2015-00:29
or rather the beginning of a series This 1976 version is very typical 70ies. I was tempted on the white dial version with black bezel (there is one for sale currently) but I would give priority for my first Olimpico either to an 8846 or an 9075, so that h... 

Well, one of the two on your list is not....

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : November 19th, 2015-08:44
From 1976! When you see them side by side you will fall for this one as well... Promise! Best Blomman

The more I dig in this Olimpico family....

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : November 19th, 2015-08:45
The more I get blommonized... I want them all! Best Blomman

I bet on the revival of those lines...

 
 By: heartbreaker : November 19th, 2015-03:58
Thank you Blomman for your really pleasant post. I bet on the revival of those funky 70's lines: I think we will soon have new proposals based on them. After having sacked the design from the 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's, the major brand will unavoidably sta... 

Great idea, but

 
 By: crown comfort : November 19th, 2015-04:18
GP already did that in the late 90ies with its "Vintage 1970" chronographs ...  

Yep! So the answer is:

 
 By: heartbreaker : November 19th, 2015-06:21
Girard-Perregaux actually WAS the first. And I have to say that the Vintage 1970 chronograph you've posted looks gorgeous. Thank you CC. Elio

A very nice example! :) [nt]

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : November 19th, 2015-08:47

As CC said... GP already started! :)

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : November 19th, 2015-08:47
But not only GP. Another example is Vulcain with the 1970 Cricket: Best Blomman ...  

Superb post

 
 By: Ares501 - Mr Green : November 19th, 2015-04:30
Excellent pictures and yes lot of childhood memories Bravo my friend Yours D P.S. I like it very much on bracelet from first shot So 70ies and super cool btw that shot on berries is outstanding

Thank you, dear friend!

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : November 19th, 2015-08:49
The bracelet is the original bracelet from 1976! But as you know, I much prefer leather strap... Best Blomman

I know

 
 By: Ares501 - Mr Green : November 19th, 2015-14:30
but that is one of coolest bracelets I saw Best D

For you, my friend....

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : November 20th, 2015-00:31
I will give the bracelet another try! Best Blomman

This is a very entertaining post.

 
 By: TheMadDruid : November 19th, 2015-11:17
I love looking at, and learning about, old chronographs. Excellent. Was the cushion shape new to 1976? And did they ever use it again (other than as a tribute)?

Well, many brands started to use the cushion shape end 1960's and beginning of 1970's....

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : November 19th, 2015-12:22
GP did have several with similar shape from the end of 1960's.... Here is one example: Gyromatic Chronometer HF ref 9000 In the Olimpico line they had some even more crazy shapes! But I will come back to that.... Best Blomman ...  

:-))) [nt]

 
 By: TheMadDruid : November 19th, 2015-13:26

Born in 1969 I am a child of the 70's! ;)

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : November 20th, 2015-00:34
Thank you, KoC! Another one for you to have a closer look at next time we meet! Best Blomman

Until next time, my friend! :) [nt]

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : November 20th, 2015-08:48

My pleasure, dear friend Abel! :) [nt]

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : December 9th, 2015-00:55