BY JOVAN KRSTEVSKI
Girard-Perregaux’s 1966 collection comprises of classically styled watches that lay a tribute to some of the brand’s finest pieces from the 1960s and to their technical pursuit in the field of chronometry. During SIHH 2019 the brand presented the 1966 Earth To Sky limited edition watch, a unique blend of sporty and elegant aesthetics. With the 1966 Blue moon, the brand is continuing with the modern vibe and is now bringing a moon phase complication into the mix.
The calling card of this watch is its gradient blue dial. It starts with a deep shade of blue at the center and attains an almost blackish hue towards the outer edges making for a visually engaging experience. Providing a nice contrast against the blue backdrop are polished and applied baton-style hour markers and an elegant looking leaf-shaped handset. Another interesting detail on this watch is the execution of the date complication. Instead of a more commonly used window at 3, Girard-Perregaux has gone with a sub-register at 6 which not only displays the date but also incorporates a discreet moon phase display. Adding some pop of color to the dial is the 31st of the month highlighted in red.
While the dial has a nice dressy vibe to it, giving the watch a sporty flavor is the case. Made from stainless steel the case has been given a black DLC treatment which lends the watch a slightly bolder look. There is a sapphire crystal on both front and back, and the case is water-resistant to 30 meters, which is certainly on the lower side, but then again this is not the type of watch one would jump into a pool with.
The powerhouse behind this timepiece is Girard-Perregaux’s in-house caliber GP03300-0115. This is an automatic movement that operates at a frequency of 4Hz and offers a healthy power reserve of around 46 hours. It has been nicely decorated using Geneva stripes, blued screws and features highly polished chamfers on the main plate and the bridges. The movement can be seen in all its glory through the exhibition case back.
The Girard-Perregaux 1966 Blue Moon is a watch that has been designed to feel at home in both formal and casual settings. The watch would come attached to a matt black alligator leather strap which has been rubberized for durability and would retail for CHF 8,950.
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