Girard-Perregaux, one of the oldest Swiss-based watchmaking brands (and also one of the few that are still capable of making their own movements) starts selling a new member of the 1966 family: the gorgeous 1966 Full Calendar (refs. 49535-53-152-53A & 49535-53-651-BK6A), which is now available in an 18-karat white gold case. But don’t worry, although the new case looks more discreet, it is still more expensive than the version in palladium that was released back in 2010.
Featuring the same exterior as the last year’s limited-edition 1966 Full Calendar Palladium, the new timekeeper sports an in-house automatic Caliber GP033M0-A0 that is based on their earlier Caliber GP033M0 (and this one is an evolution of a lot more simple Caliber GP03300 tractor movement: an easy to upgrade movement that Girard Perregaux uses in most of their luxury three-handers.)
Although the aforementioned GP033M0 is capable of displaying the equation of time, this particular version comes in a simplified form with the beautiful -albeit not terribly useful- complication stripped from its list of functions. The move not only allowed Girard-Perregaux to save a penny or two on the mechanism but also potentially made the 1966 Full Calendar more reliable simply because there are fewer moving parts that have a chance to wear out during your -hopefully long and prosperous- lifetime.
Built on 27 jewels, the movement offers such functions as a sweep second hand and a calendar with date, day, month, and moon phase indicators.
The dial layout is absolutely standard, but, surprisingly, the watch doesn’t look like a carbon copy of another classic model. In fact, it takes just a glance to understand that this is yet another member of GP’s evergreen 1966 collection.
The gadget arrives in two versions.
The one that looks like a more versatile option will feature a deep black dial (ref. 49535-53-651-BK6A) and the one will sport a more energetic white-silvered face (ref. 49535-53-152-53A). Both models are of the same diameter of 40 millimeters: a universal size that will probably appeal both to those who usually prefer their dressy timekeepers in a more “classic” size of 38-39 millimeters and those who are usually more into “sportier” gadgets of 42 millimeters and more, but still willing to consider a watch of a more “appropriate” size.
For some reason that I don’t readily understand, the silvered-dial version is equipped with the same white gold leaf-shaped hands. Although dressy and elegant, the metal blends into the silver background making it hard to tell time for people with bad eyesight.
See also: Seiko Ananta Spring Drive Moon Phase (ref. SNR023)
Photos: Girard-Perregaux
Girard-Perregaux 1966 Full Calendar in White Gold specification
Price: €22,000 / $25,000 (ref. 49535-53-651-BK6A on leather strap) / €39,000 / $46,600 (ref. 49535-53-152-53A on 18-karat white gold multi-link bracelet)
Movement: Automatic, caliber PG033M0, 25.94 mm, in-house, Swiss Made
Jewels: 27
Cadence of balance: 28,800 vph
Movement decoration: Geneva stripes, Circular stripes on the oscillating weight, circular graining on the mainplate, polished screw-heads
Functions: Hours, minutes, sweep seconds, full calendar with moon phase indicator
Power reserve: 46 hours
Case: 18-karat white gold
Shape: Round
Size: 40.00 mm
Case height: 10.70 mm
Dial: Black or White-silvered
Hands: Leaf-shaped, polished
Water resistance: 30 meters
Strap: Hand-made alligator leather strap with white gold pin buckle / 18-karat white gold multi-link bracelet with deployant clasp
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Sapphire