Today’s post is dedicated to a friend and collector who is an admirer of Girard-Perregaux and a bit of a column-wheel fan. This year sees Girard-Perrgaux launch the GP 03800-001, a new in-house hand-wound integrated column-wheel chronograph movement with 312 components and a thickness of 5.40 mm. The product of five years of research, it has a power reserve of 58 hours.

The inaugural appearance of this new movement is within the 1966 collection in the form of classically designed 40mm pink gold piece, a sibling to the chronographs in the current line, which are automatic modular column-wheel models. The new movement can be seen through an open caseback. With a thickness of 11.25mm this new watch is thinner than the other two 1966 chronographs linked above, which are 12.05 mm.

The new chrono has a centre second hand and a jumping minutes counter i.e. as each timed/ recorded minute passes, the hand jumps from one minute to the next, as opposed to a gradual movement. The small second and (30 minute) chronograph minute counters are in contrasting tones and the date at 6 o’clock, in a raised window. Two dial colours will be available, opaline silvered or anthracite, with railroad minute scale around the edge.

This is a classic bicompax dial and with beautiful balance to the dial. It’s understated and I particularly like the contrasting tones on the tachymeter and subdial counters. These two new models come on a black alligator strap with pink gold deployant clasp. With a new movement proving that Girard-Perregaux are serious about the 1966 chronograph range, this is a welcome addition to the collection.

Will my friend like it? I think so.

Categories: Baselworld 2013, Girard Perregaux, Watch movements, watches