blomman Mr Blue
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Mind Game: Girard-Perregaux 1966 Chronograph fantasy
I have been looking a lot at the Girard-Perregaux 1966 Column-Wheel Chronograph lately.
We all have different tastes in watches but some of the more common opinions I read about this watch –
Should be without date.
Smaller case to match the movement size (40 mm / 25.60 mm).
Remove the inner scale.
This is not something I normally do or would encourage anybody to do, but let’s play a little mind game –
We remove the date, we shrink the case down to 38 mm and we remove the inner scale.
To compensate for the date window we also move the chronograph text a bit down to fill the space.
Interesting observation, we do mind when it is written “Automatic” on the dial, but no one objects to “Chronograph”…
PLEASE NOT: THE RIGHT WATCH IS NOT A REAL GP WATCH!
So, what do you think? Is it really a better looking watch?
For me the space between index and the sub-dials becomes too big.
Maybe if moving the index closer to the center, enhance the minute track or like on a classic chrono, put the scale outside the minute track...
Food for thoughts!
Would love to hear your thoughts!
Best
Blomman
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Mind Game: Girard-Perregaux 1966 Chronograph fantasy
I have been looking a lot at the Girard-Perregaux 1966 Column-Wheel Chronograph lately. We all have different tastes in watches but some of the more common opinions I read about this watch – Should be without date. Smaller case to match the movement size ...
Much better in 38 mm. You are right, the " Chronograph " mention is not mandatory.
Better without. Now, the absence of date is really great. Put the indexes at the place of the grey ring, and the tachymeter at the outer part of the dial, remove GP. Just let Girard Perregaux. Use a white metal case: Palladium, Steel, white gold or platin...
I better work on my Photoshop skills....! ;)
Well, I think it would be doable! Let me check... Best Blomman
Well, this is .........
Very close to something already existing...! ;) Best Blomman ...
Makes me think...
... of the PP and VC chronographs I like so much. Like Nicolas says, a killer.
I suspect that of the three brands.....
GP is the only one that actually would dare to make such a classic looking chrono in Tantalum! ;) Best Blomman
Good job, but...
I think designing a dial / watch case is a very complex undertaking. The original has been designed with all the elements in mind, so the type of Index go along with the inner tachy scale and the placement of the subdials with the intention of a date wind...
As long as it doesn't requier a new movement....
Well, I will see if I can do a sketch... Best Blomman
Improvement
Improvement but not perfect. Loosing the date a inner scale is a good idea. I think loosing the grey circle and 'chronograph' would be even better. In that case the indexes should move outward a little, they are too close to the center now. There you have...
My conclusion....
After looking a lot at this dial.... Thinking and re-thinking the dial.... Is that if with the same movement - I would not change much! The new hand style goes very well together with the indexes. Indexes, well I like them... Possible I would prefer more ...
About the case size....
I have tried both 38 mm, 40 mm and 41 mm GP 1966 case for longer periods and I must say my favorite is the 40 mm! :) Best Blomman
I like your design and the 40 mm case much better than the originals!
Terrific job! ;) Marcelo
Well, let's hope that ....
GP take some inspiration from us here! ;) Best, my friend Blomman
Thanks for the long computer wrk
Blomman, my somewhat unconventional view is that this chronograph family line has somewhat become almost too classic? I'd love a touch of quirkiness... Maybe a blue second hand?? Feel free to disagree, I understand that the manufacturer would need to plac...
Yes and no....
Chris, I agree that some small element of quirkiness cloud be good.... In the same time we have to remember that a lot of quirky and thinking outside the box models already exists.... At least, I think that a brand like GP needs some pure classic pieces i...
Interesting mind game.. Lots of PS- skills !.. Thx for this Share with a nifty Zwist ! ;))
Guess, I would go for your first iteration or the Tantalum/ black version (of Nico).. BUT:.. I tend to agree with CC, that one might have to start with a blank sheet .. However nice iteration exercise, well done my friend \'
Interesting mind game.. Lots of PS- skills !.. Thx for this Share with a nifty Twist ! ;))
Guess, I would go for your first iteration or the Tantalum/ black version (of Nico).. BUT:.. I tend to agree with CC, that one might have to start with a blank sheet .. However nice iteration exercise, well done my friend \'
To start from scratch would be....
Easier from a design point of view, but require development of a new movement.... But dreams like this are from free! ;) Best, my friend Blomman
The real watch is better looking
loosing the date is a good idea. I would center the rings more (so that they would be in the middle of the hands and indexes)
Yes, that was what I wrote in my conclusion....
The real watch is GOOD! Only few / minor tweaks from my side... :) Best Blomman
Nice to see the photoshop version
fun too see how some minor changes completely alter the face of a watch.
The watch has the problem to use a movement which conception comes from several years ago.
You can analyse the topic with thousand methods, the conclusion is the same: this movement, which roots come from several years ago, is not adapted to a 42mm watch. So the 38mm version is much better and would look more balanced. Problem: commercially spe...
And I would add...
It is good news to have a date with the 42mm version... the purpose of this window is to fill the empty space. Believe me, without, it would be a boring watch. The 38mm version shouldn't have this kind of problem. Fx
The original watch is 40 mm....
But your point is still valid, Fx! :) Would love to see a new manual movement from GP! Best Blomman