Girard Perregaux

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

" 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 feeling on this watch.

And, by the way, I loved the way you treated the press files!

Best, Andrew, and thanks!

Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2012-12-05 13:13:29

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 happy with two big GP watches that I own (WW.TC and R&D) because they take standard 22mm straps.

Of course, seeing the Hawks "in flesh" may change all.

Cheers,

Nilo

... 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 wouldn't be diving on the leather.

The rubber compound, by the way, is natural (HNBR with injected silicon) and is UV resistant and shouldn't dry or crack. The rear of the strap is embossed with that same honeycomb pattern that is found on the dial.

Andrew

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 with this Chrono Hawk collection IMO.  See below the new design and the old design.  I feel if GP wants this Hawk collection to be successful, it needs to differentiate its design more.

My 2 cents,
Anthony

NEW DESIGN

OLD DESIGN

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

very nice, I love the hands. The two new ones not really.

Cheers, Francois

How do you go from this.........

to THIS!???

given it a different name, the "original" on the poster is gorgeous!. Cheers, Francois

 

But, like you, I would love to see some dressy Sea Hawks enriching the family!

Best,

Nicolas

... 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 think they will be going back to 'dressy' Sea Hawks.

Andrew

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 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... I was only chuckling at the 'how do get here from THERE!?'

... 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.

 

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 seen in detail here, which GP say is patterned after their iconic tourbillon bridge. That might be a bit of a marketing stretch, but whatever the reason for the design, it looks great on this watch.

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.

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 around the wrist, the grippy rubber material, the lighter weight of the steel case and the adjustable deployant. And I am speaking as someone who doesn't generally like watches over 42mm!

The best way to decide if the Hawk is for you is to try one on. The Sea Hawk should be available before Christmas, and the Chrono Hawk in January. Initially first in the US markets and then world wide.

Andrew

...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 Laureato DNA are appealing.

Thanks for the great coverage!

Cheers,
Daos

Andrew,

... 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 at this point, but the whole 'package' of rubber strap and deployant was very comfortable on my wrist. I had no immediate concerns. But this watch will need some more extended wear to really answer your question. Comfort with single fold deployants is often related to wrist diameter and shape.

Andrew

I can't wait to handle one myself.

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, just what my eyes see.

I am glad that GP is being bold. If the movement is the same I will be interested to see what benefit the heft brings other than the look at my huge watch fashion.

What I wish for from GP is:

1) a world time without dumbo ears - two crowns on the same side looks better to me... or integrate the functions into one crown

2) a new Traveler watch.  Maybe the A schild isn't available any more, but a 40mm watch with alarm and gmt similar to the old layout would be brilliant.  Make it a bit thinner than the T2 and you have a winner!!!

I am cheering for you GP