Girard-Perregaux 1966 Orion

The 1966 collection commemorates a pivotal era in the brand's history, particularly the significant achievements made in the 1960s. Girard-Perregaux introduced the Gyromatic in 1966, the first high-frequency movement beating at 36,000 vibrations per hour. This technological achievement set a new standard in chronometry, earning the brand the prestigious Neuchâtel Observatory Centenary Prize in 1967 for almost 70% of their in-house movements. The modern collection pays homage to this era, with designs that are characterised as classic aesthetics of the 1960s. The watches feature minimalist designs like ultra-thin cases, smoky dials, and refined leaf-type hands and offer models that range from elegant dress watches to sportier dual-time models.

Design And Features

The Girard-Perregaux 1966 collection represents a quintessential dress watch series, renowned for its classic round case design, available in stainless steel, pink gold, and occasionally platinum. The collection includes variations with intricate dial materials, such as aventurine in the 1966 Orion and onyx in the Infinity Edition, showcasing the brand's dedication to artistry and elegance. The collection also caters to women with smaller case sizes, typically ranging from 30mm to 36mm, featuring mother-of-pearl or guilloché dials, often paired with diamond-studded bezels to enhance their luxurious appeal.

The 1966 Date and Moon Phase models are a particular highlight, featuring a beautifully rendered moon phase display at six o’clock, complemented by a date indicator on the outer ring of the sub-dial. Meanwhile, the Full Calendar series adds further sophistication with a day and month window positioned at 12 o’clock, while still incorporating the moon phase and date displays, offering both aesthetic balance and practical functionality. The collection recently introduced the calibre GP 3800-0001, a fully integrated manually wound chronograph with a column-wheel mechanism. At a slim 5.4mm, it offers excellent wearability and fits comfortably under a dress shirt cuff.