Home » Baselworld - World Watch and Jewellery Show » Baselworld 2013 Preview – Girard-Perregaux Introduces a new Traveller Collection
For the upcoming Baselword 2013, Girard-Perregaux has prepared several novelties. Among them, there are a brand new collection and a groundbreaking new constant-force escapement. First, I will introduce to you the new Traveller collection which represents some kind of evolution of the brand’s WW.TC. line of watches. Thus, the Traveller joins recently launched Hawk collection, the Vintage 1945 and the 1966 collections.
Girard-Perregaux introduced two new models from the Travellers collection: The Moon Phase and Large Date Watch, as well as the new WW.TC. model.
Girard-Perregaux Traveller Moon Phases and Large Date is an elegant and contemporary watch with sleek lines, dynamic curves and stretched shapes. The Swiss manufacturer will offer several versions of this watch.
Girard-Perregaux Traveller Moon Phases Watch
Each of them is housed in a stainless steel case and there is a choice among different colors of their dials. For those who prefer opaline-colored dial, GP prepared a model with the referent number 49650-11-131-BB6A. The variant with a sleek, black dial comes with the referent number 49650-11-631-BB6A, while the third model with the reference 49650-82-231-HBBA matches a gray dial and boasts a ceramic bezel.
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I am not completely sure why Girard-Perregaux put this model in the Travellers line considering the fact that it does not feature any travel-related complications. Maybe we will get the answer this April when Basel watch fair open its door.
However, the new Girard-Perregaux timepiece offers a large date, sub-dial seconds, as well as a power reserve display and a moon phase indicator. A big date aperture is located below the GP initials, at the 12 o’clock position. It is instantaneous and it jumps forward one day at the stroke of midnight. Also, if you look closer at the picture below, you will notice that there is no divider between the two digit numbers (at least not a visible one). That is because Girard-Perregaux is using a two-disc configuration: one matte and one transparent. Each of them is only 0.1mm thick and each displays one digit so there is no visible divider.
Girard-Perregaux Traveller Moon Phases Watch T.49650.11.131.BB6A
A power reserve indicator is located between 4 and 5 o’clock positions, while a moonphase and small seconds counter is situated at the 7 o’clock position.
The new Traveller Moon Phases and Large Date is housed in a 44mm steel case and it is powered by the Caliber GP03300-0080/81 automatic movement that provides no less than 46 hours of power reserve. The moon phase display is extremely precise and it will be accurate to one day in 122 years.
Girard-Perregaux Traveller Moon Phases Watch
The steel models will be priced CHF12,000 (about $12,580) each, while the version with ceramic bezel will cost CHF13,000 ($13,630).
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Girard-Perregaux also introduces a new model of the iconic WW.TC, now named Traveller ww.tc, which still refers to the World Wide Time Control. This newcomer boasts a renewed case, a new dial design and also the way to operate it has changed.
The Traveller ww.tc is equipped with the in-house manufactured GP03300-0083/84 automatic movement which is built on 63 jewels and capable to provide full 46 hours of power reserve. The self-winding movement offers many features, such as a world time complication, a 12 hour chronograph and a date display. The GP’s caliber consists of 476 individual parts and has the beating power of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz).
Watch aficionados will probably notice that the new model is very much alike the current line of ww.tc. chronographs with some new details. The new left side crown of the old version has been removed from the new Traveller ww.tc. and all functions operate by the one crown on the right hand side of the case which is situated at the 3 o’clock position.
Girard-Perregaux Traveller WW.TC. Watch
The case of the new Traveller ww.tc. increased for 1mm and now it comes with the diameter of 44mm. The case consists of 34 elements and features polished and satin brushed parts.
Girard-Perregaux will offer several models crafted either from stainless steel, titanium or steel with a ceramic bezel. The model with the referent number 49700-11-133-BB6B sports an opaline dial and a steel case; the version with the reference 49700-11-631-BB6B matches a matte black dial and a steel case. The new Traveller ww.tc in a steel case with a ceramic bezel and an opaline dial comes with the referent number 49700-82-131-BB6C, whilst the version in a titanium case and with an opaline dial has the reference 49700-21-132-HBBB.
Girard-Perregaux Traveller WW.TC. Watch T.49700.11.133.BB6B
The dial of the new timepiece has a subtle globe pattern on its inner part. Two chronograph counters, a small seconds sub-dial and a date window are placed in the central part of the dial, while a 24 hour ring nicely rounds the dial surface.
Girard-Perregaux also offers a choice for the wristlets between a rubber strap covered in black alligator and a rubber strap covered in brown alligator style skin, both fitted with folding clasps.
The retail price depends on a version and it is in the price range of between CHF15,000 (approximately $15,730), and CHF16,000 ($16,800), for the ceramic model. More information about Traveller ww.tc will be available during the Baselworld 2013.
