Girard Perregaux

A little GP (hi)story...
Jul 08 2008,12:42 PM

Dear enthusiasts,

i´d like to share some quick impressions of a historic piece by Girard-Perregaux. Or two

More than 210 years in the brand´s history resulted in many fascinating and famed models.
The famous Three Gold Bridges tourbillons certainly are king still today, but there are some more interesting units.
And from today´s perspective, i´m sure there´s an instantly recognizable, art-deco-inspired piece almost everyone interested in Girard-Perregaux does know:

 

That´s the original steel/gold Vintage45 as introduced in 1945, one of the most appreciated model lines by GP today.

But not that well known is this model:

Actually there´s been a sports model!
This may be apparent by the larger and particularly higher steel case. But that´s not all; like the "Sea Hawk" models, the 3-part case also was made to be water resistant! On close view there are special clamps visible between the lugs, which were fitted by screws. This way, the whole case was firmly compressed in order not to let moisture sneak in.

Different from the Vintage45, the "sports variant" came with a central second hand and fine minute track, allowing for easy reading of the time and small intervals. The central second caused the watch to be higher and the water-resistant case demanded larger dimensions over the more elegant Vintage45:
 

 

Like the original Vintage45 and many other GP models of that time, there´s not been a special model name assigned.
Both were referred to only by their reference codes.
But the "sports model" debuted in the same year (1945) as the Vintage45; both share a distinctive shape of the lugs, which can´t be found on other GP models of the same era.
This indicates a close relation; honestly there´s no proof both were intended as brethren in GP´s portfolio then, but the rather unusual look seems to indicate such very strongly.

Finally, sort of a "historic" moment:

It´s probably a bit hard to guess, but all three are unusual.
The vintage units of course for being parents of what is GP´s most successfull model line.
And the modern counterpart on the right for being the only GP "Vintage45" model - aside it´s historic roots - fitted with a manual wind movement.
This one is a reference 2593, the first re-issue of the "Vintage45" style introduced exactly 50 years later. The model was intended to be a limited edition of 400 pieces only, in honour of the iconic historic model. And to keep in line, GP´s CEO Gino Macaluso ensured it came with the same proportions as the historic model, including a shaped solid back. It´s the only Vintage45 model to bear it´s name; where later models proudly indicate a GP manufacture-made automatic movement by the inscription "Automatic" above 6, this model was labelled "Vintage".

And to me, the "family picture" does not only cover more than 5 decades of GP´s history.
The Vintage45 line is alive and kicking, winning the brands more fans each year. It´s a timeless classic, be it GP´s historic or contemporary iterations.
And i´m sure it will be around for many more years or decades to come!

Greetings from Germany,

Peter

 

(PS: with special thanks to very special friends, for making the family picture possible)

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Thanks a lot, Peter for this nice (hi)story!
Jul 08 2008,13:31 PM

I think that the Vintage 45 is my favourite line among the GP watches...

For their special look, the amazing and beautiful shape of their case, and sapphire, too.

These are timeless pieces, and the Chrono Vintage 45 ( black dial ) is my absolute fav...

Still hunting one, in WG if possible.

But, at the same time, I have to confess that I' m not a big fan of the bigger Vintage 45, thinking that with some moremm, they lost a bit of their amazing balance.

Well, till the new Vintage 45 with the enamel dial presented at the 2008 SIHH.

Going back to the 45 you posted, they are just gorgeous, and I want to thank you a lot for these marvellous ics and text!

Best, my friend, and good to see you coming back so strongly!

Nicolas

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WE are not worthy
Jul 08 2008,14:28 PM

Hi Peter

Every time you speak/post we learn something new.

I greatly appreciate your participation in the small but growing fraternity.

Thank you thank you thank you.

Bill

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1791
Jul 10 2008,13:54 PM

Peter,

Thanks for this historical snippet.

So, we are puzzled:  why is there a '1791' on the dial of one of the watches issued in 1945?

Regards,

MTF

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Sort of a family tree reminiscence, it seems
Jul 10 2008,23:44 PM

G'day,

actually archive informations on these are a bit rare, but the "Vintage45" seems to be the very first model (and one of very few GP models ever) to bear this signature. All this seems to suggest the Vintage45 was intended to celebrate the brand´s anniversary:

The only corresponding - and most prominent - date is GP´s "birth" in the oldest tree of the brand:

Some more hints can be found in a 1957 booklet called "The GP Story", where the date of 1845 is mentioned for Constant Girard-Perregaux to join the watchmaker ranks in the workshops of Mr. Bautte at the age of 20 (page 13)

The case of the Vintage45 is a bit special, in that it comes with a steel base covered by a gold shell.
It´s not plated, but there´s a completely separate gold case fitted to the base, which requires to create basically two cases. This isn´t easy and requires low tolerances to make it work, which made for a challenge in those years.

Both the date and another tie can be found in the movement GP caliber 91 itself:

The movement is signed "1791" as well and the "three bridges" plate seems to remind a bit of Constant Girard-Perregaux´s most famous creation, the Three Bridges movements.

All in all, there´s a number of details which indicate a historic tie; based on these, i´m tempted to believe the Vintage45 indeed was intended to be a "special edition" at the instance of 100 years of watchmaking by Constant Girard-Perregaux. Advertisements of that era seem to indicate the 1940´s had a favor for historic notes, hence the good opportunity to remind of GP´s earliest roots seem to materialize in the "1791" signature.

A guess only, but a charming secret as well

Cheers,
Peter

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That's why we have PuristS........
Jul 11 2008,08:39 AM

Thanks Peter for the "speculation" that seems quite reasonable.

Only PuristS pursuit for Passion Opinion and Information could have come up with that.

We'll be looking for secret signs everywhere from now on.............

Regards,

Melvyn

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a tiny clearification
Jul 12 2008,01:25 AM

As far as passion and information go, you´re certainly right.
Apart from that, i´d like to emphasize watches are fun and a nice hobby for me.
This includes affiliation with commercial interests, be it watch brands or websites.

Cheers,
Peter

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Thx Peter for all the info
Jul 15 2008,07:57 AM

Very interesting.

Alepos

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