amanico
[JLC Moderator]
341382
Girard-Perregaux WW TC Small Seconds Versus 1966 WW TC.
Here we have two very nice world time watches by Girard Perregaux, the WW TC Small Seconds, and the 1966 WW TC, WW TC standing for world wide time control.
Girard Perregaux didn't wait to see Patek releasing its iconic World Time, in 2000, with the reference 5110. The very same year, they unveiled a world timer + a chronograph in the same watch/
But we had to wait till 2009 to see Girard Perregaux releasing a simpler and more sober version, the Small Seconds, which also came with a superb dark grey dial:
Here, no Chronograph, no date, just a world time with a small seconds at 6 o' clock AND, important detail, a much smaller case. Indeed the first WW TC Chronograph had a 43 mm case, while the Small Seconds is 2 mm smaller, which makes a big difference in terms of coherence in the proportions.
The WW TC disappeared from the catalog in 2013 at the benefit of the Traveler WW TC.
BUT, in 2017, Girard Perregaux had the good idea to give birth to the 1966 WW TC. A very elegant, understated world timer, with a slightly smaller case ( 40 mm ) which is strangely 1 mm thicker than the WW TC Small Seconds ( 12 mm instead of 11 mm ). In steel or in rose gold, as shown below:
Or on a bracelet...
Elegant, dressy, understated, sober seem to be the good words to describe this watch.
Maybe a bit too much... BUT, in my opinion, this is a question of dial. Put a black dial and associate it to the steel case, and you will have a stronger combination.
I was secretly expecting such a chromatic combination this year... In vain.
Look at this comparison picture, with the WW TC Small Seconds... I compared the two silver dials. One is more appealing than the other, even if it is a matter of taste.
Even if the case of the 1966 is more conform to my taste.
You cannot deny that both of them are very nice looking. I would have expected more life for the 1966 W TC, truth to be told. While others would praise its elegance.
Cannot we have both, with the possibility to choose between two dials?
Girard-Perregaux should read that... And give it a try.
I for one think that the 1966 WW TC is one of the three or four best Word Time of the current market.
Aaah, and while we are at that, no need for a sapphire case back, the movement ( Cal GP 03300 ) being too small and not really exceptional.
What are your feelings and thoughts?
Best,
Nicolas
Girard-Perregaux WW TC Small Seconds Versus 1966 WW TC.
Here we have two very nice world time watches by Girard Perregaux, the WW TC Small Seconds, and the 1966 WW TC, WW TC standing for world wide time control. Girard Perregaux didn't wait to see Patek releasing its iconic World Time, in 2000, with the refere...
Very nice exposition of GP world timers
The light dial WW TC small seconds is my favorite (first version). A second-hand bargain at this point. Cheers, John
I share your point, but I am waiting to see some dial variations on the 1966 WW TC... I would happily grab one to give some company to my Patek 5110P.
And, oh, well, a Jaeger Lecoultre Geophysic UT, and, in case of serious greediness, Montlblanc Orbis Terrarum, and Chopard Traveler...
It of course is a personal taste, but I still prefer the WW TC to the 1966 WW TC.
To me, those arabic and dotted hour markers are one of the visual appeals of the WW TC. The 1966 WW TC is nice, but a little underwhelming to my eyes.
I like the execution of these
Tried on the world time chrono but it’s a bit thick and bulky. The small seconds is perfect in my opinion.
I like them both the same
If I saw one one pre owned I would pick it up but would be one of those right place right time. I generally don’t go looking for GP as I view them more of a haute horological brand but on pre owned scale! Great watches.
The 1966 ww.tc looked always a bit bland to me, but the dial design draws less attention to the small movement inside
Seeing the 1966 model presented side by side with the Small Seconds, I realise how much the older design with the "busy" graphic dial elements so much centred already gives a hint of what you see from the back side. With the case diameter increased to 43...
You have a big point about the dials design. Well, I wouldn't complain about the one on the left, I mean the WW TC Tourbillon, which is one of my all time favorite watch, and not only from GP!
I also agree with you, it is time to reconsider the movements, the size of them, too... Best, Nicolas
I like the first version quite a bit.
I find the dial of the 1966 version a bit flat. Perhaps it's the font of the chapter ring and general lack of life emanating from the dial. Thanks for the comparison piece. The original version is quite appealing.
I like them both...
the 49865 has a more interesting dial but the 1966 the more elegant case. The 1966 is particularly convincing in Rose Gold, while for the 49865 i like the steel with silver dial best.
Fantastic comparison, thanks. GP really had all of the design better with the previous model.... even the more elegant case of the current
model is better suited for a time only model. The prior thicker lugs look great on a travel watch....and the dial of the earlier version has life and personality. YMMV. Cheers,
Nice post !
Though I prefer the 1966 case, I like the WW TC with “3-6-9” dials more. It’s more interesting while the dials on the 1966 version are very ‘flat’.
Thanks for time spent on writing about a very undervalued watch!
Given the lack of attention GP's WWTC's have gotten the last few years in forums I thought everyone was way past these incredibly handsome, handy and grossly undervalued watches! I'll admit I have sold both WWTCs I had but that was mainly due to size (the...
