The 1966 Collection by Girard-Perregaux stemmed from one of the most dynamic periods of its history. In the 1960s, the Manufacture set up its own R&D centre and it was this department that developped the Gyromatic HF calibre, the first movement in watchmaking history beating at the high frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour. The series-produced watches equipped with this mechanism soon won chronometry competitions that had previously been the exclusive preserve of specially prepared models. In 1966, Neuchâtel Observatory awarded Girard-Perregaux the Centenary Prize for its work on enhancing precision.
In keeping with this perpetual quest for innovation, Girard-Perregaux is paying tribute to this era by presenting two new automatic timepieces, each fitted with a smoky dial and a particularly elegant ultra-thin steel case: the 1966 40mm and the 1966 36mm gem-set models.
These reliable and accurate models are equipped with the self-winding Manufacture GP03300 calibre, providing a generous 46-hour power reserve. Its mainplate and bridges are straight-grained, bevelled and adorned with a Côtes de Genève motif. The 218-part movement of the large model powers the hours, minutes and seconds hands, along with a date display in a window at 3 o’clock; while the 36 mm version has no date but is instead graced by diamond hour-markers and a gem-set bezel. The two cases are water-resistant to 30 m and fitted with a transparent case-back.
For the first time, Girard-Perregaux has chosen to endow steel models in the 1966 collection with the elegant smoky grey dial previously reserved for gold watches. The 40 mm version is adorned with a sunburst finish, and the smaller one with a “flinqué” pattern. The ultra-thin case, the domed and polished leaf-type hands, as well as the applied baton-type hour-markers or Roman numerals also contribute to the aesthetic equilibrium of these two new references that go just as well with a pair of jeans as with an evening dress, and are fitted with alligator straps.
