Girard Perregaux

Hi everyone,

 

I wanted to share my passion for GP watches and as this is my first post on the forum give a brief introduction. I always had a passion for quality watches. May years ago, I started with a Breitling, followed by a first GP, then I added an IWC and for last 11 years I was happily wearing a Patek almost daily. At some point however, I felt that I got tired of the Patek and managed to sell it for a good price. When I replaced the Patek with a GP Vintage 1945, it reignited my passion and I know have a collection of 10 GP timepieces which I want to share with you below.

 

 

Richeville Chronograph ·  Ref 2750 (SS)

 

This was my very first GP bought in the late 90ties new in Hong Kong. Originally it had a blue dial with Roman hour markers and a brown strap, but I had it changed at the GP Boutique in Hong Kong a few years after. I love the nicely drawn “exploding” numerals for the hour markers on the black face. This watch recently required a service as it did not keep a power reserve even when worn all day, but now all is good again. 

 

Vintage 1945 Chronograph ·  Ref 2599 (WG)

 

A very nice looking model with white dial, pink gold numerals and Guilloche surface. The white gold case is rather sensitive to scratches and bumps and in a moment of carelessness I managed a sizeable ding at 10 o’clock.

 

Vintage 1970 Chronograph ·  Ref 2598 (SS)

 

This model is very hard to find. I looked around a long time for this particular black face dial with SS bracelet. There are a few available without bracelet or with different face but I really like the clean style of this particular one. I eventually found this in very good condition on eBay from a professional seller in Germany but this is my only GP without original box and papers.

ww.tc Ltd. Edition ·  Ref 49800 (SS)

 

A must have for any GP fan. The ww.tc is a large watch and due to the large dial is a significant piece on your wrist. Initially, I had a black strap but after I changed it to the brown I like it even more. Overall a classy sporty look that is second to none.

 

Laureato Evo3 Ltd. Edition ·  Ref 80180 (SS)

 

Like the ww.tc this is a big watch but the actual dial is smaller and so it does not look very bulky on the wrist. A lot of people find the Laureato Evo3 ugly, but I believe they have only seen one on pictures but not had it on their wrist. It’s superb quality with nicely brushed steel and anti-reflective glass. This one also feels the most solid when using the crown and winding it. Very smooth, reminds me of my Patek I used to have. This is a Ltd. Edition to 50 pieces, not sure what is special compared to other Evo3s. I like the earlier style with the silver calendar dial as it looks more harmonious with 4 equal dials than the current model with 3 silver and 1 black dial. BTW: I had changed the rubber strap for the brown croco strap. It completely changes the character of the watch and I’m very happy with that combination.

 

Richeville Day/Night ·  Ref 27610 (RG)

 

This was my most expensive buy by far, but I couldn’t resist. I was considering the cheaper version in steel, but I believe this model only comes across well in pink gold. It is essentially a dress watch with an unusual dial but the colour combination is striking.

Classic Elegance 1999 Chronograph ·  Ref 4946 (SS)?

 

Again, I found this model hard to find. I was initially looking at one with a black dial but it was already sold. I personally find the 38mm case a bit small for this watch. The watch I purchased did not have the original strap. I wanted to get a dark brown croco strap initially, but then found the shown light brown with white stitching, which I think also gives it a nice vintage look.

Traveller II ·  Ref 49350 (SS)

 

Again, this is a must-have in a GP collection I think. They are surprisingly good value for money and I picked this cream dial with gold hands and hour markers. The blued steel seconds hand is a nice contrast. I find the winding of the crown a bit sluggish and squeaky, I believe the seal got a bit stiff, but nothing serious. Contrary to the 4946 Chronograph, on this watch a black strap matches perfectly.

Classic Elegance 1966 ·  Ref 49535 (RG)

 

Pure class dress watch in pink gold. More understatement is not possible. I would have loved a more complicated model from the 1966 line, like the full calendar or even the chronograph, but prices are still over the moon for these. This one is as new from a dealer in the UK and was very good value.

 

Sea Hawk II John Harrison ·  Ref 49910 (SS/WG)

 

I was unsure for a long time about the Sea Hawk but I thought the collection would not be complete without this icon GP. I settled on this Steel/WG Bezel Sea Hawk II tribute to John Harrison with a brown leather strap. It’s not as obtrusive as the Pro models and despite its size wears comfortably without being too much bling. I like the small seconds hand on the John Harrison models. The Power Reserve has a very fine Guilloche pattern.

thanks for posting, and thanks for being a G-P customer!

The Richeville Day Night, the Traveller II and certainly the most popular among them ,the Vintage 45 Chrono are more than three reasons to fall in love with GP.

The others are far from being ugly, by the way, such as the Vintage 70 Chrono and, of course, the WW TC.

You will feel like at home, here.

Welcome!

Best,

Nicolas

GP is a great brand, with a long and illustrious history.  Their watches represent excellent value and at the highest levels are second to none in terms of finishing and mechanical prowess.  The Richeville Day/Night is one of my favorite pieces from GP along with the models in the 1966 collection.

Looking forward to reading more from you!

Cheers,
Daos

Thanks for sharing it with us.

models references in our collections.  I really like their 1945 models, and finally located my grail GP - the large date moonphase 1945.  I'll post some pictures later.  Congratulations on your collection.

... we have had for some time. Welcome to PuristS!

Beautifully coherent GP collection, with a watch for most occasions and demonstrating the breadth of GP’s range and complications. I can see that you have spent a lot of time considering metals, straps and dials.

Many favourites amongst them for me, including the 1945 Chrono, the Richeville Day/Night and the Traveller II which has a very useful complication. And of course we share the 1999 Chrono. [Click Here]

I look forward to seeing more of each of these watches. Feel free to post on each and every one in detail. And as you seem to prefer, like me, images of watches in their native habitat – on wrists – we have a weekly WristScan thread that starts every Friday, so please join in.

Warm regards,

Andrew

Thanks everyone for the kind words. Special thanks to AndrewD who's report on the Chrono 1999 also inspiured me to get one of these.

I guess I will try to put up more pictures of individual watches. Seems like I should start with the Richeville Day/Night.

I only need to get more skilled with my camera, it is damn hard to take good photos of watches, but I'll try my best. Just never been a photographer myself.

Cheers.

... you have the watches lit with diffuse natural light with correct colours. Also try some outside shots under cloud, in shade, or in the soft evening light. I think we all became better watch photographers here with some trial and error and wanting to show the watches to their best advantage. If you don't want to take a formal detailed macro movement shot then just hold the watch in the palm of your hand to capture the movement.

Pleased I inspired you to look for a 1999 Chrono. Personally I find the size to be perfect, given the long curved lug design and the thickness of the watch. GP watches 40mm and above have shorter lugs to make them sit well. But there are so many variables such as circumference, wrist shape, styloid prominence that make wrist feel hard to generalise.

Look forward to more.

Regards

Andrew

I love most of your watches, in special the Ref 2598 and the WW.TC.

Of course the 4946 is also great.

Cheers and welcome,

Nilo

Welcome here

amazing collection. I particularly love the Vintage 1945 Chronograph