PeterCDE
10167
Part 3 - some more details of the new caliber GP4500
As we´ve seen, the new GP4500 caliber incorporates some practical, new solutions to improve the efficiency, longevity and durability of this movement. It is promising to be an accurate, sturdy timekeeper for a long time to come.
But is it a nice movement to look at?
Some closer views may allow to judge for yourself:
The dial side of the movement will remain invisible to every owner; it bears the instant date mechanism and is decorated with plenty of perlage:
GP caliber 4500, dial
side
side
GP caliber 4500, closer view of the
date mechanism
date mechanism
Switching the movement over, the escapement section, the large bridges and the large rotor dominate the view.
GP caliber 4500, movement
side
side
The escapement is a conventional swiss lever escapement, well tried and tested.
It makes use of an ETACHRON regulation device by means of an eccenter screw. While one might prefer a free-sprung balance, particularly with a balance as large as this, one should keep in mind the regulation is a technology well known to watchmakers all over the world and unproblematic in use; without ressorting to fancy tools for specific calibers, it´s something probably most qualified watchmakers are familiar with. Such is promising to be of benefit during later service work and allow for reduced turnaround times.
GP caliber 4500, escapement and
regulation
regulation
.
A particular feature i´ve found interesting are the engravings; all engravings are very deep and laid out in gold, which i find nicely done and a beautiful view, particularly in combination with the properly aligned geneva stripe decoration. It´s a nice contrast towards the perlage work at the same time. The counter sinks around the jewels are properly polished and all bridge sides angled and polished.
GP caliber 4500,
engraving
engraving
GP caliber 4500, hairspring,
regulation and balance (the balance reflects the base plate
perlage)
regulation and balance (the balance reflects the base plate
perlage)
A nice detail, supporting later service work, is the push button to release the stem; this mechanism is well tried in the GP3000 caliber range and allows to release the stem with crown, without need to release a fixating screw (something apt to lead to scratches). Again, a deeply engraved and gold underlined arrow points at the function, with the recess around the countersink to be polished.
GP caliber 4500, stem release
button
button
The new GP4500 caliber is promising to offer some real life benefits not available else.
Creating base movements is a different task from crafting individual Haute Horlogerie watches in the high-end; movements such as the GP4500 naturally will be used in many more examples than a GP Three Gold Bridges tourbillon and more apt to daily wear, with all the threats wearing a watch brings. The first impressions of the GP4500 are promising it is well equipped to stand all this and be an accurate, reliable, sturdy timekeeper for many years.
From a different perspective, one might do well to keep in mind the tentative price range; for a watch in the range of less than 8.000 Swiss Francs, the "Vintage 45 Square" with it´s unusual, iconic case design offers a nicely done manufacture-made movement which incorporates a variety of very practical benefits.
To me, this is an unusual "package" and certainly an interesting one - not to speak of the outer appearance, which is a lot to my taste.
Nicolas Dehon
(left)
(left)
All together, i find Nicolas Dehon and Girard-Perregaux did a very fine job on the new ref. 25820 "Vintage Square"!
Disclaimer:
All opinions expressed are mine - your mileage may vary.
Greetings from Germany,
Peter
Some thoughts on the new ref. 25820 Vintage45 "Square" and GP´s new caliber 4500
Dear enthusiasts, following up to our previous introduction , i´d like to have a closer look at GP´s new pre-SIHH introduction reference 25820, dubbed the Vintage 45 "Square" or "Carree": Vintage 1945 Carrée At the beginning of the 90s, well before "vinta...
Part 3 - some more details of the new caliber GP4500
As we´ve seen, the new GP4500 caliber incorporates some practical, new solutions to improve the efficiency, longevity and durability of this movement. It is promising to be an accurate, sturdy timekeeper for a long time to come. But is it a nice movement ...
Thanks a lot for this exciting pics and insights
Peter, that's a great thing what you're again doing for us! Amazing pictures I love very much. And I'm particularly glad to learn about and understand now this movement in a way I would like to be able to understand the 3XXX mvts. as well, which have not ...
Oh, there´s something for you!
Hi Alexander, thank you a lot! That´s much appreciated and the pleasure is completely on my side! In terms of the GP3xxx range, have a look here. There aren´t many chances to get much closer than this: http://www.tp178.com/jd/gp/article1b.html Sure it´s n...
Indeed,
thanks again for this hint, I didn't note this study before, best wishes for the feast days, Alex
Thank you Peter
Hello Peter, first I wanna thank you for this indepth look. I was wondering about how GP will provide the same moment with the central second position with a double third wheel, but with the second at 9 with a singular third wheel? Because in my opinion t...
Like this?
Hi Philipp, something like this? These are prototypes and in fact the GP4500 caliber with central second! While i can´t share details on upcoming models, at least it seems such is being evaluated very closely... Does this help a bit? Cheers, Peter...
More technical...
Hey Peter, hmm... that's not really what I meant, but also nice pictures of course. In part 2 you showed us a picture with details of the different variations of seconds. And if GP produces the second at 9 they perhaps will have different torques and thou...
Oh, that´s what the double third wheel is made for
G'day, regardless the attachment of the wheel driving the second hand, amplitude and performance will always be the same. As noted, that´s what the double third wheel is made for; the second hand pinion always engages the same wheel, eliminating the need ...
We're getting closer :o)
Hello Peter, yes in this case you're right. But what if you use the second wheel to display the small second at 9 without the second hand pinion like on the picture with only a single third wheel. You definitly will have less engagements in your going tra...
Well, i think that´s not possible
G'day, i´m rather tempted to trust GP´s engineer in this one Actually attaching a seconds hand onto the second wheel is a rather unconventional thing to do and as said, regardless the position of the second hand there´s no difference otherwise. In this i ...
Hi, Philippe,....
....I believe GP opted for this design for beeing flexible and vesatile. Of course one could use the classical small seconds design and use the fourth wheel directly to display the second. But, than you're also bound to design the train around it - i.e. o...
The black dial looks smart
Can't wait to "feel" it on my wrist thanks Peter cheers joe
