AnnualCalendar

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

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

A. Lange & Sohne Saxonia Annual Calendar Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

A new classic from German A. Lange & Sohne this year is the easy-to-love Saxonia Annual Calendar watch. In the tradition of many successful "triple calendar" watches (named as such for displaying the day, date, and month), the Saxonia Annual Calendar also adds the requisite moon phase indicator to complete the look. The watch isn't just about the information it displays, but the delivery of the details as well as the dial layout which is important to its adherence to the classic look. This piece is sure to be a winner for A. Lange & Shone.

Unlike most A. Lange & Sohne watches the Saxonia Annual Date comes with an automatic movement. The Caiber L0851. Sax-O-Mat has what Lange calls a 3/4 automatic rotor, which is in 21k gold and engraved. This is smaller than a full rotor, but larger than a micro-rotor. The movement has a power reserve of 46 hours and a zero-reset function when the crown is pulled out for easy precise setting of the time. The moon phase is accurate to about one day each 122 years.

Pushers on the side of the case are used to adjust the calendar functions if necessary - which itself needs to be adjusted maximum of once per a year (assuming you keep the watch wound). The operation of the movement is flawless. This is of course due to the fact that it is totally in-house made and designed by Lange. The case size is medium at best being 38.5mm in size. Lange watches sometimes feel small in your hand until you place them on your wrist and they feel just right. Their purpose is to make comfortable luxury watches that excel at their prime purpose of looking good and telling the time (and other related data). You can tell that the dial layout is comfortable in poise and purpose. It follows the basic look of other Saxonia watches, with the additional information. Hands are the right length (as always for the brand), and in gold matched to the other gold pieces on the dial. The white gold version has blued steel hands though.

The case is immaculately finished. In fact, I've never handled any watch that is as well finished as one from A. Lange & Sonhe - even at much higher prices. The Saxonia Annual Calendar watch is available in 18k white gold or pink gold. Price is the same for each at 27,500 euros. All things equal, the price is pretty good given the movement and quality of the watch in comparison to what else is out there.

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

Gallery: A. Lange Sohne Saxonia Annual Calendar Watch

Tags: 2010, A Lange Sohne, ALangeSohne, annual calendar, AnnualCalendar, sihh, soxonia, watch

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