Girard Perregaux

Any idea what model this is?
Jun 16 2008,08:14 AM

Hello every one, i m the new guy in GP ~ just wondering if any one could help me out here please

can some body tell me what model is this GP ?

and any idea how much it might worth now if it just went through serviced ~ i bought it from ebay and i actually like the design ( i m not that old, but i just like these vintage style, it comforts me LOL )

or may be what it was fetched back then the RRP ??  cheers and many thanks every one


regards
Mark

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I don't know the model but I got some info from a book.
Jun 16 2008,09:03 AM

In 1935 the race on the watch industry was to see who could come up with the most reliable, efficient and thinnest system.  In 1957, GP developed a new self-winding wristwatch called the "Gyromatic."  The "Gyromatic" system substituted the roller-equipped unidirectional clutches for the ratchet wheels making it simpler, reliable and more efficient.  Later years they discovered that if they increased the frequency of the balance wheel on the watch, it became more precise(from 18,000-21,600 to 36,000 v.p.h.).  This new watch was called the "Gyromatic HF" (for high frequency). The high-frequency movements change the standards at  the Neuchatel Observatory. In 1966, GP was awarded by the Observatory the Centenary Prize which acknoledge the company for their superior ability.  There is a photo in my book of the GP watch that was awarded the Neuchatel Observatory prize in 1967.  The watch very much looks like yours but without the observatory on the dial.  I guess your watch is the production followed by the event to celebrate the event. Very much like like the Omega Speedmaster Moon Watch, once it became the first watch on the moon they engraved the event on the case back.  I hope this information helps you.

Hugo.

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thanks ! and here is little extra info
Jun 16 2008,10:50 AM

hi, thanks for your search for me some times i really wonder if i should get myself some watch books lol

 

the seller said that watch is 1975  and key word to the listing is vintage divers ploprof observatory chronometer !

it comes with box and just a pieace of paper~~~ to all honesty i love the fact it just got serviced ! and i just read some where on this forum and realize how good the after service GP is from other people's experience and i really love it !!   this is truly my 1st branded watch collection (bought a pocket watch mode wrist watch... i suppose that doesnt really count otherwise that would be 1st)~ a months ago i never pay attention and now  i m hooked !!

i love old style watch and i actually think this watch looks hot LOL i guess i m not the heavy taste type who loves all  too complicate  details on the dial  LMAO

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Around 1976
Jun 16 2008,23:42 PM

G'day,

given the engraving on the back, it seems to be a retirement gift by Shell Oil in 1976.
This date matches the look and movement; it´s certainly a mid 1970´s watch and not one of the Observatory Chronometer models mentioned above (which was made between 1965 and 1968 only).
The movement is a GP caliber 440, which followed GP´s first high-frequency movements with GP´s patented free-drive automatic winding. There´s more in earlier posts, such as this: mob.watchprosite.com

One of the interesting features is the inner shielding; like IWC`s "Ingenieur", this model is supposed to be fitted with an inner cage made of iron/brass. There should be a little plate covering the movement, which fits the gold-coloured part  visible around the movement.
GP called this a "suspense case"; there´s some more input in earlier posts.

As per service, i´d recommend to consider to have the case polished.
This requires special tools and hence is best done by a GP Service Center, but i think you will like the outcome!

As per value, it´s a steel model and obviously a retirement gift then.
I think may give a hint. Such models retailed for $170 to $300 in the US then; certainly not a cheap watch, but not the most precious item too.
It´s not comparable with what the brand does today, but with a little care these can be reliable and accurate timekeepers still today.

As per the "Ploprof" tie, it´s - unlike the Omega model - not a dive watch or particularly water resistant.
GP never had a model named such, hence i´d not rely too much on the sellers description in this regard

Cheers,

Peter

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thanks peter
Jun 17 2008,01:13 AM

hi, peter . thanks for the info ~

only just a little disappoint since i was hoping it would be like the previous poster said and a rare find :p

well, i still love it and appreciate the fact that it just been serviced by GP . what do you mean by " It´s not comparable with what the brand does today, but with a little care these can be reliable and accurate timekeepers still today." arent GP a watch company with long history ? or it only became famous and well known recentely ?

well, i got it from ebay for AUD 622. guess the price has been three fold since 1976 :p lol     wonder if i factor in the inflation like you mention, would it  be a good hunt ? do tell me how much usually GP service will cost please and how long until my next services ? i intend to hold it for a very long time. probably give it a very good use then polish it

i for one believe watch should be use well and not worry about being scratch when even move hand etc, i would go nuts or have my hair grey if thats the case ~ why bought myself so much trouble ?? right

 

take care peter !

Mark

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Well...
Jun 17 2008,01:57 AM

Hi Mark,

GP doesn´t produce watches in a comparable price range, quality or movements today. Simply put, things are not really comparable.

While there are some pretty rare and very collectible, as well as exceptionally expensive, historic pieces, many of the 1940´s to 1980´s models are intended to be reliable and accurate, but mostly affordable watches. That´s represented by the usual retail prices then - a historic Three Gold Bridges Tourbillon wasn´t exactly cheap in the 1880´s and of course intended for a privileged customer base only. Given these are very rare and exceptional quality, it´s naturally a much more precious item today and most likely will not be worth less in the future.
The 1970´s units usually are more fashionable watches and not strictly focussing on excellence in watchmaking quality, but could be had for a fraction of the price too. There are some interesting or very rare vintage models between 1940´s and 1980´s, but those usually do have a special twist, complication or watchmaking innovation (and usually don´t find their way to popular internet auction sites).

So yes, it´s of course the same brand. But the simple vintage watches of course are not comparable with high-end historic pieces or the brand´s contemporary production.
That doesn´t say a less important vintage unit for some hundred US-$ can´t do well; GP Service can do wonders and many of these watches can still do well today, given the natural limitations of a +30 year old watch and modern expectations in terms of accuracy and water resistance. Of course it´s difficult to expect comparable performance from an old watch with unknown service history - one wouldn´t expect a 30-40 year old car to perform like it did then, without investing considerable efforts to achieve a condition comparable to what it was when new.

For the price, it´s really difficult to determine. This needs to see the piece (in hands) and at least one potential customer willing to pay a certain price, which may or may not happen twice.
Much on this depends on the specific condition and service history, because collectors usually prefer a visually pleasing appearance.
The pictures suggest the pictured piece has been worn a lot, leaving to obvious signs of wear. To determine the condition of the movement may need a closer look (usually heavy wear doesn´t go without consequences too).
The costs of service always depend on what needs to be done; a full overhaul and case refinishing probably will end up in some hundred Swiss Francs and some month of wait to be invested.
On the other hand, a contemporary watch by Girard-Perregaux can´t be had for the same money.

In short, it´s certainly a stylish piece representing the 1970´s fashion trends, but it´s not a Haute Horlogerie or exceptionally fine piece.
It may be worth some hundred US-$, while it´s certainly not near a contemporary GP new or pre-owned. But i think that´s obvious.
And if you like to wear it on a frequent base, GP´s service may help it to work reliably and accurate (which is a service not provided by all fine brands today - see Rolex).

Cheers.

Peter

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still going to love it
Jun 17 2008,02:17 AM

well, sounds like i might have over pay for roughly 15~35% for the watch, but to be honest i still happy with the watch, as you point out! during my short read in this forum , i was impress by some member's story about their watch have problem and sent back for repair and got free of charge service and another got the missing parts and equipment delievered free of charge ~ that tells alot about how GP value their customers !!

for the money i paid, i m happy to know i m under such dedicated watch company ~ (tell me they dont differentciate customer by their watch value please not )

 

by the way, not trying to stir up the argument? whats wrong with Rolex's service ? i am actually on the market looking for rolex as well , thought i heard their services are also remarkable~ or it has lost it's way/edge already?

this really teach me a lesson to be honest, there are not really any bargain to find~ you get what you pay for hehe but i guess if GP ever going strong one day, i can still wearing my cheap GP and walk into their store request for a service ( just hope their knife arent too sharpe :p)

 

Mark

 

 

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i wonder what happen during 1940 to 1980
Jun 17 2008,02:21 AM

by the way, it made me wonder what happen to GP during 1940 to 1980's ? why the company change their business strategy and manufatured more " public friendly " watches? is it because of the management or just short of talent HR people during the time ??

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Different strategy, same as with cars
Jun 17 2008,03:42 AM

G'day,

well, like any existing watch brand GP today is focussing on what they are doing today - which is producing and selling watches.
One does either do many affordable units or few expensive ones; down the road, GP´s strategy in this changed a lot (and for the better, i may add).
Rolex always use to do many 100.000´s of watches each year and still does about 700.000 to 1.000.000 units per year today, while GP used to produce some 10.000 watches then and about 15.000 to 20.000 units today.

That´s the same as with cars.
Depending on preferences and budget, enthusiasts of a sportive drive in 1976 could have them a Volkswagen Golf GTI (which was newly introduced then, list price close to 7000 Euro) or a Ferrari 365 GTS and GTB/4 "Daytona" (about 1.400 berlinetta´s and 125 spider´s made, list price about 40.000 Euro).
Today, some of the early GTI´s in perfect collector´s condition are worth slightly more than the list price then. But certainly all original Daytona´s are many times the list price. That is, excellence and rarity of course makes a difference.

The strategy of the brand was just different then; a higher production of horologically less thrilling pieces. "Good watches to wear", but few luxury timepieces. This is not what the brand is doing today; GP meanwhile focusses on producing their own casework and movements, which of course is a lot more expensive to do. And there´s a number of complications, which all in all is a different strategy resulting in a different portfolio.

As for "free service" for old units, that´s certainly no regular offering by any existing brand (or brands interested to stay in business for the next future).
Naturally such can´t be expected; just that there may be exceptions if you happened to buy a GP tourbillon lately. Naturally any sort of service involves costs and labour, which is not perfectly reasonable to give away for free in return for nothing. 
Nonetheless, GP´s service bills are comparably low to what others charge. This will depend on the specific work required, which can be a lot, including reproduction of watch parts not available anymore. Not every brand does offer this kind of service for old watches at all; as far as i know, Rolex f. e. does not for pieces older than 25 years (at least that´s current policy in Europe).

Simply put, there are quite some very fine and very valuable historic GP timepieces in existance, but these aren´t perfectly comparable and much, much more expensive today.
Hence walking in a GP Boutique asking for (free) service probably will not lead very far... But that´s probably the same with a vintage car; driving by a Ferrari Boutique with a genuine historic Daytona may be a different appearance from a 308 GT/4 "Dino" showing up (which still is a nice car).
In general, vintage watches like the pictured unit are hardly a substitute or comparable to what the brand does today; while they can be fun and interesting, it´s kind of a different world.

Cheers,

Peter

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