Girard Perregaux

interesting details:
- case proportions, 32 x 34.20mm
- date window (not sunken!!!)
- seconds hand position at 10

In a nutshell, the new ref. 25820 "Vintage45 Square" accompanies the 2006 "Triple Calendar".
The second extension of the cherished Vintage45 line with a square cased model, it´s a classic look in a more modern size and a new movement!

If that´s your cup of tea, read on below

Cheers,

Peter

This message has been edited by PeterCDE on 2007-03-16 13:28:44 This message has been edited by PeterCDE on 2007-04-03 23:08:35

Some early input on GP´s new addition can be found on Worldtempus.com:
http://www.worldtempus.com/wt/1/11615/5174

Although it´s in french language (where Altavista Babelfish may help), i think it´s quite promising for some nice views next month during SIHH

Maybe not that apparent is the fact the new 25820 will be available in steel too:


Please note: A preliminary rendering - the date window of actual pieces will NOT be sunken!

Cheers,

Peter

I like the new seconds position and I do like the not sunken date

It's nice that they fixed the sunken date feature.   Not so sure I like the layout of the dial with the sub-seconds at 10 o'clock and date at 5.  It's certainly a contemporary layout.  Do these models replace any of the current Vintage line, or are they additions?

Paul

First of all, the small seconds hand is driven directly out of the movement - one major benefit of the GP4500 caliber, which overcomes the deeply sunken date wheel and is a nice view in the same degree:




As far as i understand, the "Square" is an addition to the current line. I´d guess it may replace the steel "Kingsize" models at one point, as the difference in size is not that much. But frankly, i have no informations so far and hope some more can be said after SIHH.

Cheers,

Peter

I appreciate the technical highlights on this new piece.  Maybe once I see actual watches, the unique placements of the date and sub-seconds will look better.  I've found actual photos and seeing in person is a big difference for many GP watches.

I'm sure this will be a popular addition to the line, but the Big Date layout is maybe even nicer!  Look forward to more updates from SIHH!

Paul

I hope the square case is only an additional to the current line-up.  Personally I found the "King Size" case more traditional and elegant.  It is also quite modern due to its size.  The additional power reserve is most welcome.   

The square case is nice, but may not be as versatile on different wrist sizes (mine included).  I love the Triple Calendar, but the case didn't look as good on my wrist as the current KingSize case.

Always stunning to see those close-ups you pull out!

Cheers,

Christian

More to come during SIHH; there´s a couple of interesting details!

Cheers,

Peter

thanks for sharing Peter...

rgds,

Not bad a watch at all...

Especially this rosegold version...classy! Sapphire case back for all models including SS?



Regards

Hi Jacky,

all models will come with transparent backs!
I´m sure you will like it

Cheers,

Peter

Whats the difference or good points of the Cal 4500 apart from the clearer date as compare to prev Cal 3000 ranges? Thanks...



Regards

Hi Jacky,

there´s a couple of differences; first of all, it´s quite a bit larger!
Thus it seems to fit a larger case (which the "Square" is, at least in terms of available space) better than the ultra-thin GP3000 calibers. Other differences are the winding system and the double 4th wheel. This allows for different driving of the seconds hand, which will not "skip" as some pieces with an indirect second did. It allows for an unusual layout as well, so there´s some room for creative dial designs.
The main difference is the barrel; the GP4500 makes use of a lot larger barrel and in fact, the whole movement was designed "around the barrel". That´s of benefit for power supply and subsequently, timekeeping.

We´ll have a closer look in the near future!

Cheers,

Peter

Very clear explanation Does the bigger barrel means longer power reserve? Probably right?



Regards

Hi Jacky,

indeed the power reserve is a bit longer!

For example, the Vintage "Kingsize" ref. 25830 with GP3300 caliber offers a power reserve of 46 hours, while the new "Square" with GP4500 caliber comes with a power reserve of 56 hours.
This is mainly achieved by a longer mainspring, which requires a larger barrel.

Now there´s a caveat; a longer mainspring delivers more torque/power, which affects the gear train and finally the escapement. All this needs to be considered to make it work accurate and reliable; that´s why it took GP such a long time and many efforts to do them (there´s some glimpse at the R&D behind in an earlier post).
It´s not a "reworked" GP 3300, but a completely new design from ground up! And this refers to all 190 parts the GP 4500 is made of.

Cheers,

Peter

 

I've noticed GP uses a lot less parts for their movements compare to other movements.  Am I right to say GP movements are less complicated without meaning less reliable or too simple of a movement??

Howdy,

well, which movements do use significantly more parts? Unless you compare it with a Grand Complication

Seriously, the new Omega 8500 ("Hour Vision") constitutes of 202 parts, the JLC 875 ("Autotractor") is made of 218 parts. I´m not sure how many of these are jewels.
But i find this not very much more than the 190 parts of the GP4500.

Vice versa, making things in limited space is quite a trick.
If you compare the thickness of some pieces around, you´ll see how much thinner the GP3xxx range is.
And it´s tried&tested, for elegant dressy pieces as well as sports watches. There´s not a great number of thin movement which did proof to work equally well!

In general, the GP 3xxx range calibers are not less reliable than others and those i have, of which some are a bit older and got daily wear in all environments, tend to be very accurate and perfectly trouble-free. Even those who didn´t get service for quite some time (one piece was serviced 7 years ago and still does fine).
For the GP 4500, accuracy and long-term performance are main considerations; it went through a lot of testing and "real life" experience over more than 2 years with a batch of prototype watches, so i´d be completely confident it will do likely!

Cheers,

Peter

And now its a brand new engine....just like a new model of a car with brand new engine...should be interesting



Regards

No message body