AndrewD
[HoMe Moderator]
12829
New Girard-Perregaux sports watch: the Hawk
There are two watches in this collection, a Diver (the Sea Hawk) and a Chronograph (the Chrono Hawk).
The new cases are bold, angular and sculptured and have design cues from both the Laureato and Sea Hawk lines. The Laureato was introduced in 1975 with a particularly modern and sporty demeanour; integrated bracelet and octagonal bezel. The Sea Hawk emerged during the Second World War.
The diameter of the new Hawk range is 44 mm and the thickness a substantial 17.1 mm, but the straps are fully integrated into the case so the wearability is increased.
The depth in the dial is impressive and is the feature that strikes you after the chiselled case. A new embossed ‘honeycomb’ decoration on the dial provides an attractive background and is patterned on the shape of the famed GP tourbillon arrow bridge. There is also a completely newly designed adjustable folding clasp to compliment the watch.
At this point there are very few images available, but I did catch a glimpse of a prototype in October and it is a very impressive watch. It's modern, solid and different to most other sports watches in the marketplace. In steel the value is very high as well. So let’s look at both ranges:
The Sea Hawk (Ref. 49960)
The original GP Sea Hawk watches have a history stretching back to the early 1940’s (the name was trademarked in 1944) when they were developed as a rugged marine watch. In the 1970’s the Sea Hawk resurfaced (sorry!) with a WR of 200m and a screwed down crown. And in 1989 the WR had increased to 500m.
The new Sea Hawk is water resistant to 1000m (3300 feet) which meets the ISO 6425 Standard for diving watches. It features a helium escape valve to equalise pressure following a deep dive and an anticlockwise unidirectional bezel, so you don’t accidentally lengthen your dive.
Brushed 316L stainless steel case which integrates around and protects the large rubber crown and a rubber bezel on an octagonal ring insert. Legibility is excellent on the black dial and orange accents on the hands bring the dial to life. The GP logo is applied and the deep hour indices are filled with SuperLuminova, as are the hands. The addition of power reserve, subseconds and a date make it a very practical watch.
There are a few features we will revisit when more images become available: rubber strap and new adjustable (extendable) folding buckle provides balance and comfort. The curved sapphire is 3.9mm in thickness. A very cool engraved screw down case back with a porpoise snake and trident.
Inside beats the automatic Calibre GP3300 with 28,800vph, a PR of 46h and 27 jewels.
There is also a lighter dial as an option.
The Chrono Hawk (Ref. 49970)
The Chrono Hawk carries through the same angular steel case, but this time with a brushed (satin-finished steel) bezel and integrated chronograph pushers. There are rubber inserts on the crown and chronograph pushpieces to add to the sporty contemporary look of the watch.
Again GP have complimented the architectural case with a dial that has significant depth and character. There are black dialled and white dialled versions; the lighter dial coming on a rubber lined crocodile strap.
Inside is the automatic Calibre GP3300-0073 with chronograph module, 28,800vph, PR 46h, 61 jewels. Sapphire display back, WR to 100m. The automatic winding weight is shaped like an arrow and the solid shape compliments the case as well.
We will revisit these watches frequently over the next few weeks, but I hope you enjoyed this first glimpse.
What are your initial reactions?
Andrew
New Girard-Perregaux sports watch: the Hawk
There are two watches in this collection, a Diver (the Sea Hawk) and a Chronograph (the Chrono Hawk). The new cases are bold, angular and sculptured and have design cues from both the Laureato and Sea Hawk lines. The Laureato was introduced in 1975 with a...
Not very keen on the Chrono, which looks " weak " compared to the
" Time Only ". As for the Time Only, yes, I think it is an interesting one for those who are attracted by big watches. The design is very strong, and to say all, not unpleasant. But very thick! To be seen in the lfesh, though, to have a better opinion and...
The chrono looks nice ...
I may have a problem with the black crown on the diver plus the rubberized bezel. A major issue to me are the non-standard strap attachment. I love the GP designs but, please, I need standard stap attachment. I like very much to swap straps. I'm very happ...
You have some strap options ...
... within the Hawk range, Nilo, but the straps are definitely integrated into the case. You have the straight rubber strap on the Sea Hawk and leather on rubber for the Chrono Hawk, which should be hard wearing. The straps are interchangeable, but I woul...
The Chrono Hawk could be a much better attractive piece
if they added more color to it. The below color combo is very drab IMO GP design team needs to spruce this model up with more color and more "unique" hands. See what Ulysse Nardin did to its Marine and Sonata collections. That's what GP should be doing w...
Perhaps the black dial with orange accents?
The depth in the dial with the new chiseled indices is really impressive, and with the heft of the case, I'm not sure you need too much colour. One to be seen in the metal I think. Andrew ...
Love the Sea Hawk of the first poster......
very nice, I love the hands. The two new ones not really. Cheers, Francois
Luuuucy, you have some splainin' to do.
How do you go from this......... to THIS!??? IS THERE ANY DNA shared at all???? ...
Totally agree with you Mostel, GP could have at least...
given it a different name, the "original" on the poster is gorgeous!. Cheers, Francois
Look at the one from the Seventies, Mostel
But, like you, I would love to see some dressy Sea Hawks enriching the family! Best, Nicolas
For dressy you have to go for the ...
... 1966 or Vintage 1945 lines. But there is still plenty of variety within those lines if you want a chronograph or some other complication. GP at this stage have kept their ranges very distinct. And the Hawks are out and out sports watches. I don't thin...
I don't think so, either.
indeed, GP has other choices in their ranges of watches. And I am sure it is only a beginning... To be followed... Best, Nicolas
I wasn't asking for a dress watch
I would not expect a modern SeaHawk to be dressy! I was only referring to the disconnect in terms of DNA--for instance, the hands could still be part of the design, possibly the SeaHawk font (like the way IWC does w/ Ingenieur)... perhaps other elements.....
You throw in a little of this and a little of ...
... that, Mostel. :-) Remember that more than 60 years have passed and you can see the 70's diver influence plus some of the Laureato as well, particularly with the octagonal rubber bezel. ...
Dial details ...
The dials are very special. And the depth, particularly on the Sea Hawk diver, is impressive. The indices are like tall columns. On the Chronograph they are like chiselled ramps. And the subdials are multilayered. The embossed honeycomb background can be ...
Deployant details ...
The Hawk line features a newly designed deployant. There is a safety folding buckle which requires you to press two buttons to open. The buckle is extendable for fine adjustment and the overall arrow shape echoes the dial pattern. ...
Live wrist shots ...
More than anything else I can write I think these photos demonstrate how wearable the Hawk is despite the 44 x 17.1mm size that some are concerned about. It is, I believe, because of the combination of the integrated strap which passes straight down aroun...
The live shots...
...show off the depth of the dial, even from afar. I have not been a huge fan of the modern GP divers (I love the ones from the mid 60s), but the Sea Hawk might just swing the pendulum for me once I see it in the metal. The more aggressive lines and Laure...
New deployant comfort
Andrew, How do you find the new deployant in terms of comfort? I own the now old Sea Hawk II with rubber strap, and I always found the deployant very uncomfortable. It looks like they have redesigned it for the new straps.
The folding deployant ...
... is a very nice accompaniment to the watch. I really liked the design. It sits flat and the double button is easy to open. To specifically answer your question, I only had the watch for a short period and can really only give you my overall impression ...
Interesting
but the DNA that I see in the chrono is i) ROO crown and protectors a la something F1 inspired, and ii) RM pushers (sans the stop start text). The sea hawk looks inspired by the urwerk shark and maybe some Linde Werdelin as well. These are not criticisms,...