1966

Girard-Perregaux 1966 Blue Chronograph Watch

Girard-Perregaux's 1966 Chronograph watch gets bathed in blue for this 1966 Blue Chronograph version of the attractive retro-inspired timepiece by the high-end Swiss brand. The 40mm wide case in in 18k white gold with a sunburst style metallic blue dial that is very attractive. Blue just happens to be quite trendy in 2011 for watches. The chronograph subdials engravings are "snailed," which results in pleasantly contrasting visual with concentric circles. It also helps with legibility when wanting to see the chronograph info easily.

On the dial the hands and hour indicators are applied and in 18k white gold. Inside the watch is an in-house made Girard-Perregaux GP030C0 automatic column wheel chronograph movement that is decorated and visible through the caseback window. The watch will come either on a black alligator strap, or an all 18k white gold metal bracelet. Prices for the 1966 Blue Chronograph are $29,700 on the strap and $51,850 on the gold bracelet. Look for this attractive watch soon.

Ariel Adams publishes the wrist watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 1966, blue, chronograph, girard-perregaux, watch, watches

Girard-Perregaux 1966 Tourbillon 220th Anniversary Limited Edition Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Simple tourbillon watch lovers are probably thrilled with the offerings this year. Many brands are releasing uncomplicated (relatively speaking), classic tourbillon based watches - and here is Girard-Perregaux's entry. The watch is meant to celebrate the 220th anniversary of the brand that began in 1791. They call it the 1966 Tourbillon with Gold Bridge 220th Anniversary Edition watch - it looks lovely in a 40mm wide 18k gold case with a warm dial with blued steel hands and Breguet style Arabic numerals. The tourbillon has a bit of a unique look with one of Girard-Perregaux's iconic "golden" bridges over the tourbillon. Extremely classic and handsome. The movement is the in-house made GP 9610 that is manually wound and has 48 hours of power reserve. On the back of the watch are some special commemorative engravings for this special Anniversary Edition watch. Girard-Perregaux will produce just 50 1966 Tourbillon 220th Anniversary edition pieces - look for them soon.

Ariel Adams publishes the wrist watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Girard-Perregaux 1966 Tourbillon LE watches

Tags: 1966, anniversary, edition, Girard-Perregaux, tourbillon, watch, watches

Girard-Perregaux 1966 Full Calendar In White Gold Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

The only difference here from last year's 1966 Full Calendar watch is it being in 18k white gold for 2011. The new colors look sharp, but these are the only real changes. The 1966 Full Calendar watch from Girard-Perregaux gets a nice "tuxedo timepiece" demeanor with its white or black case matched to the white gold case (that is 40mm wide). I first wrote about this range here with a hands-on look at the palladium version. The elegant dial is easy to read and has an annual calendar and moon phase indicator thanks to the in-house made GP033M0 automatic movement. While the white dialed version has some nice blue accenting, the black dialed version tries to do this in red - but I don't like it. I think the "31" marker of the date should have been white. The red is distracting, and a splash of color has already been added to the dial via the gold moon and stars in the moon phase indicator. Still the watches are quite nice and the 1966 range from GP feels desirable as ever. Price will be in the $20,000 range.

Ariel Adams publishes the wrist watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 1966, calendar, girard-perregaux, watch, white gold

Girard-Perregaux 1966 Petite Seconde Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

girard-perregaux 1966 petite seconde watch

Small seconds are in this year for Girard-Perregaux. New for 2011 will be this "Petite Seconde" model in the brand's 1966 watch collection. Though I must admit the dial, with its classic feel and Breguet style numbers looks like something from well before 1966. The case on the other hand still feels about right with the purported era. As a formal watch does with a simple dial and Arabic numerals, this watch is hard to beat. Love the blued steel hands and the very tiny touch of red for the number "60" in the subsidiary seconds dial. You used to see watches like this from a long time ago with a red colored "12." People used to guess why it was red, but I am thinking that it was just for style. As such, the dial has white, black, blue, and red making for a good sophisticated look. Oh, and the dial is gonna look extra good because it is done in enamel. Fancy! But really not "1966."

The case is still 40mm wide in 18k white or rose gold, and has a sapphire crystal over the front and back. Inside the relatively thin case is an in-house made Girard-Perregaux GP03300-50 automatic movement. The movement is finely decorated and has a gold rotor. Look for this timepiece sometime next year.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watches reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 1966, 2011, girard-perregaux, petite seconde, sihh, watch

Girard Perregaux 1966 Annual Calendar And Equation Of Time Watch Hands-On

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

One of the real treats in Girard Perregaux's newer 1966 collection watch line up is this 1966 Annual Calendar & Equation of Time watch. Last year it was presented in rose gold and this year we get a white gold version. Although complex, the watch itself feels simple and approachable. While I was unsure what to make of the odd assortment of asymmetric details on the dial at first, I have come to appreciate the piece after spending some time with it.

One of the theories I believe, behind the layout design is ease of reference. That means not having to visually search too long for what you are looking for. Not only are dials in unique places on the dial, but they also have their own unique style of hands. In time, wearers of the watch will quickly be able to search what they are looking for on the dial. The beautifully made and decorated in-house Girard-Perregaux GP033M0 automatic movement has the time, annual calendar (with date and month), and an equation of time indicator. The annual calendar only needs to be adjusted once each (non-leap year) year, and the equation of time is a nifty guide of how much "civil" time is deviating at any moment from solar time (really only plus or minus 15 minutes at any given time).

Even with all the details it remains a simple look and never harsh on the eyes. The case is modest in size at 40mm wide, and like I said, the case is available in 18k rose or white gold. A great watch so those looking for complex, original, yet classic looking pieces. Price is over $30,000.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 1966, 2010, annual calendar, AnnualCalendar, equation of time, EquationOfTime, Girard Perregaux, GirardPerregaux, gold, sihh, watch

Girard Perregaux 1966 Full Calendar Palladium Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

SIHH 2010 had a unique offering of new watches from Girard Perregaux. Very much on the "retro revival" trend, the big news for them were watches their 1966 collections. Here is one of my favorites, the very easy on the eyes Girard Perregaux 1966 Full Calendar Palladium limited edition watch. A pure classic in all ways, the watch is made from the very rare and hard to work with metal palladium, that is related to platinum. Unlike gold for instance, palladium does not require rhodium plating, and is also tarnish resistant. The 1966 Full Calendar will only have 199 pieces available.

Inside the watch is the in-house made Girard Perregaux GP033M0 automatic movement that provides the triple calendar information as well as the time and moon phase indication. The movement is viewable through the rear of the watch where you can see the gold automatic rotor. At 40mm wide, the case is also very thin. It wears so comfortably with the thin yet supple alligator strap. The dial has a soft brushed finish to it and is in gray. At first I though the watch complications where a bit bunched up in the middle of the dial, but I quickly realized that this layout assists with giving the dial a more minimalist feeling and enhancing legibility. Otherwise the watch would have felt smaller in size to the eyes. The dial itself is slightly domed around the edges and the markers and hands are all in style with the "1966" look of the collection. With its classy looks, comfortable size, useful function, and appealing Swiss pedigree, the Girard Perregaux 1966 Full Calendar Palladium watch is a sleeper hit of 2010 for the brand. Price will be $19,800.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Girard Perregaux 1966 Full Calendar Palladium Watch

Tags: 1966, 2010, full calendar, FullCalendar, Girard Perregaux, GirardPerregaux, limited edition, LimitedEdition, palladium, sihh, watch

Girard-Perregaux 1966 Chronograph Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

The wave of retro watches continues this year. Your favorite high luxury watch makers just keep em coming. If today's luxury watches aren't selling, maybe ones that look like yesterday's will? This is the new (but you thought it was old didn't you?) Girard-Perregaux 1966 Chronograph is the next iteration of the 1966 watch style. It may say 1966, but 1945 telegramed and wants their watch back. Not that this is a bad thing, but that is mentally where I place this design. A neatly displayed bi-compax 30 minute chronograph with a overly intricate tachymeter that takes up seemingly most of the dial. Reminds me a bit of certain Patek Philippe Calatrava watches.

The watch case is in 18k pink or white gold and 40mm wide. This size seems to be the new de facto of new vintage styled watches from the haute luxury watch makers. Good news is that the movement is an automatic, the newer caliber GP030C0 in-house made Girard-Perregaux column wheel movement. Strap is alligator and done in that classic thin style. A nice looker but not likely a top choice for younger generation luxury watch buyers. The official announcement will be in January at SIHH.

Ariel Adams published the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 1966, 49539-53-151-BK6A, chronograph, girard-perregaux, vintage, watch, watch of the day, WatchOfTheDay

Girard-Perregaux 1966 Annual Calendar And Equation Of Time Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Soon after the Girard-Perregaux 1966 Annual Calendar watch was given the title of best watch of the year for 2008 by a Japanese watch magazine, Girard-Perregaux introduced a follow-up model, the Girard-Perregaux 1966 Annual Calendar and Equation of Time at SIHH 2009.

The new watch, while having a very similar name, holds the same in-house made movement (the automatic caliber GP033M0), but removes the moonphase in favor of an 'equation of time' dial. This indicator shows the difference between the solar time and the time displayed on your wrist. The deviation is never more than plus or minus 15 minutes. Further, the layout of the dial is dramatically different than the 1966 Annual Calendar. What remains is the annual calendar's functionality with a new asymmetrical layout. The design reminds me more of Maurice Lacroix than Girard-Perregaux, but retains a simplicity that I can attribute Girard-Perregaux's traditional looks.

Case diameter is 40mm and is made of 18k rose gold. The gold leaf-shaped hands contrast well against the blued steel hands of the subdials. Like I said, the design is very avant garde for a classic watch, but remains clean and elegant - the most important aspect of any Girard Perregaux watch these days.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 1966, annual calendar, AnnualCalendar, equation of time, EquationOfTime, girard perregaux, GirardPerregaux, sihh

Japan Loves The Girard-Perregaux 1966 Full Calendar Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Watch lovers in Japan voted the Girard-Perregaux 1966 Full Calendar as the watch of the year in Tokyo recently. The result signals a distinct love of classic styles with desirable complications. The layout of this retro styled calendar watch cannot be solely attributed to Girard-Perregaux, as it has been seen in countless luxury creations. Regardless. this interpretation of particularly clean. The annual calendar's day and month windows are faceted and subtle, while the date dial with moonphase is effective and clean. A full seven complications are available at a glance, but with an almost minimal, uncluttered look.

The 18k rose gold 40mm wide case is a thin 10.7mm high, while the Girard-Perregaux GP0330M0 movement is an automatic, making this watch fall into the thin watch range. It looks dashing with an alligator strap, just as it did in 1966. The award by Tokyo's "Sekai no ude tokei" (World Wrist Watch) magazine is not the first time this style has been appreciated. Ian Fleming's James Bond "From Russia With Love" novel had the villain wearing the original version of this watch that was released in 1966 as described by Fleming in the book. I agree with Japan's Sekai no ude tokei that this watch is sublime for what it is, though I'd reserve the "best" watch of the year for something a bit more charismatic.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 1966, annual calendar, AnnualCalendar, girard perregaux, girard-perregaux, GirardPerregaux, timepiece, watch

1966

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