Girard Perregaux

Friends,

 

I promised you a on the wrist review of the Girard-Perregaux 1966, 38 mm in white gold. I was expecting to test this watch to the limit! Checking all aspects of accuracy, visibility, comfort…

 

You name it; I thought that I really should do thorough test of this watch! Instead a medical emergency happened in the family and I had to spend most of my days rushing back and forth between emergency rooms and hospitals…

During all this personal stress, you may understand my focus was not on how accurate the watch performed or how well I could read time in the dark… 

The only thing I actually did as planned was to wear the watch the full three weeks! Actually, I wore it four weeks before strapping on any other watch on my wrist. 

For you to understand how hard just to fulfill the “one watch” commitment was for me I will let you in on a secret…  

Normally I NEVER wear the same watch two days in a row! Often I wear at least two or maybe three watches during one day. I wear one watch during my work day and another one or two at home. Only time I wear the same watch more than one day in a row is when I go on vacation to a place where it is not practical or safe to bring many watches.  

Yes, even when hiking in the mountains I bring more watches than the days I will be gone from home… 

 

The first couple of days during this test everything was still OK at home and it felt strange to wear the same watch each day. But then all the trouble started and it was a big comfort looking down on this beauty! Just to admire the watch and flee from the stress, if just for a micro second!

I didn’t have the chance to really check the accuracy of the watch but during these four weeks it kept well within COSC Chronometer specifications (-4/+6 seconds per day). 

The 46 hours power reserve is actually in the lower range of the movement capacity. During three days I was alone with Junior and didn’t have time to think about watches or strap on a watch. But on the third day when I picked up the watch it was still running. 

I had plans to bring the watch out on many different daytrips and shoot a lot of photos in different places… Well, that didn’t work out as planned either, but at least I managed to take a few snapshots, often with my phone camera. You see some of them included here. 

Autumn season…

 

Using the watch at work…

 

After that everything changed and all became a blur with dippers, bottles and hospitals…

 

A few times when the sun came out I stepped outside just to breath.

 

So, what can I tell you about this watch?

Esthetically this watch is a very classic looking watch. 38 mm in diameter. A good size for a dress watch, not too small, not too big.  

The white silver dial, the white gold leaf hands, the applied index and the shape of the white gold case, all of these details scream classic dress watch! 

 

The heated blue second’s hand enhances this feeling. I just love to look at the second’s hand sweeping over the silver dial! Almost hypnotizing…

If the watch had been just a couple of millimeters smaller, you might have thought it was a vintage watch from the 60’s… 

What bring this watch to current days and make it more modern are date window. The way the edges are angulated.  Without that detail, in photo it would have been hard to tell if this watch was from the 50’s, 60’s or today.  Yes, I know that some used this angulation already in the 60’s but more often with straight edges or with a frame.  

The white gold case has the “typical” GP shape with short curved lugs, not as curved as on the larger cased watches but still curved, making the watch very comfortable on the wrist. 

 

The warmer tone of the white gold is not possible to mistake for steel. Even if white color metal, the case has a warm feeling about it!

Some may think the crown may be difficult to operate due to size, but if you look at this photo you see that the case sides are not straight, they are slightly rounded which makes a small gap between the crown and the case. So very easy to pull the crown and set the time and date.

 

The different positioning’s of the crown are distinct and the feeling when winding the crown is firm and gives you a “controlled” feeling even if it is an automatic movement.

The pink gold rotor is beautifully decorated. Only thing is that I would like the opening on the back to be larger or even better, if it would have been a manual movement inside!

 

Strap and buckle. As Bill pointed out when I started this test, there are two types of strap for the GP 1966. One strap type with rolled edges and the type shown here with a seam along the edges. Not sure which one I prefer, but I think the one with rolled edges gives the watch an even more elegant look.

 

The strap is of high quality and flat. A detail I really like! Some Manufactures makes wonderful watches but are a bit cheap on the strap which makes the whole watch experience to fail…

Another detail is the pin buckle, again according to my preferences. I always have difficulties to make the folded buckles to sit comfortable on the wrist. The buckle is also very flat which makes it easy to have under the cuffs of your shirt and avoid scratching or get stuck in things. 

All in all, I love this watch! It helped me through a very difficult time! Just to be able to look down for a second and see this beauty helped me clear my mind from all bad that was happening… 

Would I buy this watch? 

Already from the start it was made clear to me that if I wanted to get one watch like this it would not be this exact watch. This one I have to return to the Manufacture. Of course I could get one exact like this but not this one.  

So, if I can’t have this exact watch that was beside me during all this, should I get one like it? 

I am still a bit undecided on this point, but one thing is for sure: I need a GP 1966 in my collection! 

If it is this 38 mm or another version, maybe with some more complications I am not sure… But I do need a 1966 in my life! One version that was in my mind already before this test and never really disappeared from my eyes is the Enamel dial, sub seconds in pink gold…  

Friends, I am very sorry for this “On the wrist review” to take such a different and personal turn. Not really what I or you expected, I guess.  

 

I like to thank you all here for the support shown to me and my family during this test. In the end it was not the watch that was tested, it was me and my family!

All is now good and we will soon be back to normal and start to look forward again! 

 

 

Sincere

Blomman

This message has been edited by blomman on 2014-11-16 11:15:39

I think that it will be hard for you to forget this particular

Thank you, my friend!

This is a great review. Nothing beats the experience of a watch that goes with you through the thick and thin, especially when you do not have time or space to give it the extra TLC that we tend to give our watches. Only then, it is put through the paces. I'm glad that the emergencies have been settled and all is well.

Thank you, Richard!

This 1966 is no exception, and wearing itr, as any other Watch, by the way, is the only way to fully appreciate it.

With the 1966, it is simple, I really love the shape of the case. Very elegant, and timeless.

Now, I would favour: A solid case back or a manual winding movement.

I find the auto movement luch too small, even if, in a 38 mm case, it is ok.

There are so many somptuous 1966!  The Chronograph is the first which comes to my mind. Fernando's enamel is another. The EOT, too.

Without forgetting the elusive Minute Repeater!

Thanks for this well written review, my friend. Just a bit sad that you had to wear it on such circumstances.

All the best,

Nicolas

I haven't seen the blue dial in the metal, but it looks great in photos.

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Heart and soul!

 

Best

Blomman

I will share my thoughts having lived with the same watch in rose gold for 2 years when I'm back home this weekend. Currently on the road travelling.

Thank you, CC!

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I wanted to share more of my thoughts on the classic, 3-hands 1966, Ref 49525, having lived with it for over 2 years. Unlike Blomman’ test watrch, I have the Rose Gold case. In came standard with a non-stitching black strap, making it a classic dress watch.

 

However, I believe this watch is much more versatile. Since I wear it with the light brown, stitched strap, it also goes well with business casual. Maybe not a watch for T-Shirt and Shorts, but with Jeans and a shirt it matches very well.

 

A lot of comments have been made about considering another 1966 model with complications.  Yes, the Chronograph is very nice, or the small seconds enamel dial or the full calendar…, but, no other 1966 is such a timeless classic and will look fresh even 50 years later. I think it is the perfect start into the 1966 collection, rather skipping over this and going with a more complicated model.

 

The feature that is most prominent on this watch is the sweeping blued steel seconds hand and the egg-white dial. I think in combination with Rose Gold it reaches perfection. Would I consider the white gold? Yes, but only as second choice, perhaps with the black dial (but then the date window sticks too much out).

 

A lot of esthetic concerns have been raised on two features on this watch.

 

The Date Window:

Frankly, I think the date window is well integrated and belongs to the design of the 3-hands dress watch. I think without, something would be missing. I think the story is a different one for a smaller case, hand-wind dress watch. So at least on the white dial, I’m believe the date window is mandatory.

 

Size of the caliber:

Many say the caliber is too small for the case. Really? I think keeping the movement small maintains the skills at the watchmaker to produce delicate mechanical complications and I think it is not realistic to expect a different movement for each model/case size. I think the 38mm case fits very well with the deployed movement. I also don’t think that the date window is too centered. The 41mm case 1966 has a bigger size caliber, but overall I find 38mm the perfect size for a dial without complications.

 

Finally, some thoughts on straps. I have 3 different straps. The original black, no-stitching, the current deployed tan brown with stitching and I also have another darker brown, no-stitching. Right now I’m most happy with the versatile tan brown strap.

 

So my final verdict. I believe the 1966, Ref 49525 is the perfect 1966 to start with. It’s a classic, timeless design that will not age. My recommendation would be the Rose Gold with egg-white dial. That will leave room for dreaming about a white gold Chronograph with blue dial.

Best,

CC

At least the date is well located, here. Still I would prefer without. It would be top elegant, but that is my very personal opinion.

As for the movement, with the 38 mm case, I am not shocked.

Now, what would be my first 1966??? Enamel or Chronograph? Damn dilemma!

Best,

Nicolas

my choice would be the automatic chronograph, no date in white gold and white dial. While the blue dial is very very nice, I think the white dial will keep its charme more long-term.

I saw both of them several times.... The blue is more eye catching.

The white is really charming, indeed.

Best,

Nicolas

Very helpful!

I will soon take desicion on which model to get...

Will keep you posted!

 

Best, my friend

Blomman

here is another past to present shot:

Thank you for showing this, my friend!

 

I love these kind of "evolusion through time" lineups!

 

Best

Blomman

.. Under those difficult personal & sore family times, you have indeed to be thanked for !

To me it appears a very nice classical style watch, but..
- Without " surprises", if you know, what I mean.

I do like the face, dial and also the case, but I'm with Nico, the backside
is somewhat peculiar, to say the least.
I do appreciate the blued second hand, which gives it a nice little accent.

Probably one is more "exited" if with other iterations of that case & type, such as a Chrono or a MR.

The last is a little Q - apologies for my ignorance :
- is this the main line / only offer of GP for a well done, but somewhat sober
3-hand dress watch ??

Thank you kindly fir having taken the effort,
and sharing really nice pictures

Best, hs

Thank you, dear HS!

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Great review, seems like this piece is a versatile watch for you.

I would have brought the watch up the mountain!

and I hope all is settling down with your family on the medical side.

Thank you for the personal review on the 1966. I like the watch for all the reasons you cite and I would be happy to have this particular model in my collection. And perhaps we'll see you with that enamel dial watch on your wrist before too long!

Bill

I need to get my own 1966!