Girard-Perregaux 1966 Integrated Column-Wheel Chronograph Watch

Girard-Perregaux finally introduced its own in-house manufactured, hand-wound column-wheel chronograph movement which debuted in the 1966 Integrated Column-wheel Chronograph Watch. The caliber GP03800-001 joins the 3000 family. These novelties were officially presented at Basel watch fair.

It took five years of research to create the new mechanism which comes in the form of a classic column-wheel chronograph movement. This caliber consists of 312 components and it is built on 31 jewels. It has the frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz) and allows the power reserve of at least 58 hours. Its dimensions are 25.6mm in diameter and the extraordinary 5.4mm in thickness.

Caliber GP03800-001

It is an integrated movement, which means that the chronograph mechanism can be seen from the case back. Considering the fact that GP wisely chose to make this mechanism to be manually wound, rather than automatic, it is visible in all its glory.

One of the most notable features of this caliber is an instantaneous jumping minutes counter which allows the minute hand to jump instantaneously as each recorded minute passes.

A 30 minutes chronograph counter is situated at the 3 o’clock position, whereas a small seconds sub-dial is placed on the opposite site, at the 9 o’clock position. In addition to the chronograph, there is also a date window displayed at the 6 o’clock position.

Girard-Perregaux 1966 Integrated Column-Wheel Chronograph Watch Dial

The new Girard-Perregaux’s watch is housed in a round case with the diameter of 40mm. Its elegant case is relatively thin at 11.25mm. It is crafted in a beautiful shade of pink gold that gives it a nice balance of contemporary and vintage-inspired looks.

Girard-Perregaux 1966 Integrated Column-Wheel Chronograph Watch White Dial

Girard-Perregaux offers two versions of the 1966 Integrated Column-Wheel Chronograph Watch. The choice is between gray (the referent number is 49529-52-231-BA6A) and white (the referent number is 49529-52-131-BABA) dial options. Both models provide water resistance of up to 30 meters (100 feet).

Girard-Perregaux 1966 Integrated Column-Wheel Chronograph Watch Gray Dial

I also want to say that the GP’s watchmakers have given a special attention to details. A special care has been applied to the finishing. The bridges are beveled and encrusted with Côtes de Genève. The steel parts are also beveled and finished with hand-drawn strokes, while wheels are circular-grained.

Girard-Perregaux 1966 Integrated Column-Wheel Chronograph Watch Manufacture

Besides this new caliber which is based on the tried and tested GP caliber 3000 base movement and the 1966 Integrated Column-Wheel Chronograph Watch, Girard-Perregaux also presented two ladies’ models at this year’s watch show in Basel: the Girard-Perregaux 1966 Lady 38 mm and the new Vintage 1945 Lady watch.

Visitors of the Baselworld 2013 also have the opportunity to discover two new men’s watches: Hawk Ceramic and Constant Escapement, as well as the completely new line of watches named Traveller Collection which represents some kind of evolution of the WW.TC. line.

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