Strapping Elegance To The Wrist: Presenting The Girard-Perregaux 1966 Full Calendar

1966 was a year filled with many exciting events. It was a year of momentous changes, from launching the first spacecraft to orbit the Moon to classic shows like Batman and Star Trek gracing the screens for the first time. Even the watch world witnessed some significant events; Girard-Perregaux won the first Centenary Prize from the Neuchâtel Observatory for their groundbreaking chronometric achievements. 1966 collection, named after this notable year, is a testament to the massive growth of the maison as a reputed watchmaker. Even with more contemporary elements today, 1966 is the perfect dress watch to complete your formal or black tie outfits.

Girard-Perregaux 1966

1966 is as versatile as it gets. Although each model shares commonalities in the form of the round case shape, refined dials with slim hands and hour markers, and an emphasis on simplicity and elegance, the collection also offers a wide range of variations and complications, appealing to collectors and enthusiasts with different preferences.

HMS

For those who simply want to tell the time with panache and elegance, Girard-Perregaux offers straightforward, time-only 1966 models. Boasting pieces such as the Orion Trilogy, the classic 40mm versions, the otherworldly Earth to Sky edition, and memorable pieces in 36mm and 30mm options, these watches manifest refinement and simplicity. They come with a round case, clean dial layout, slim profile, and a date complication.

The most sophisticated 1966 models are the simple time-only pieces with a date aperture at three o'clock

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Moon Phase

The moon phases series comes with a touch of romance while retaining the core design of the original 1966. A moon phase tracker is stationed at six o’clock, representing the moon’s changing appearance as seen from Earth and depicted as a small moon disc that progresses through different lunar phases. These watches also bring date functionality through an Arabic numeral scale on the periphery of the moon phase counter.

Girard-Perregaux 1966 Moon Phase brings a touch of romance to the wrist with a beautiful moon phase aperture at six to track different lunar phases

Full Calendar

Characterised by the same classic round case, clean dial layout, and slim hands, the full calendar complication goes beyond a simple date display. It incorporates additional indications for the day of the week, month, and sometimes the moon phase. It allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the calendar information at a glance. With the first Full Calendar watch crafted in a limited-edition platinum case (reference 49535-71-152-BK6A) with only 100 pieces, the rest of the models all appear in precious metal and, more recently, in steel to make it more accessible to more collectors.

Characterised by the same classic round case, clean dial layout, and slim hands, the 1966 Full Calendar adds a high watchmaking element to this otherwise simple collection of dress watches

Girard-Perregaux 1966 Full Calendar in Steel – Making Class Accessible and Affordable

Carrying on the heritage and design brilliance of the collection, the Girard-Perregaux 1966 Full Calendar 49535-11-131-BB60 was released in 2016. It was the first 1966 Full Calendar in steel. While the functionality and features remained the same, this small move made the watch more accessible and affordable to a much larger section of collectors and enthusiasts. In this regard, the reference 49535-11-131-BB60 has opened up an entirely new chapter in the already glorious history of this prestigious collection.

Girard-Perregaux 1966 Full Calendar in Steel, reference 49535-11-131-BB60

The Opulent Dial

The dial carries a silver opaline finish, which perfectly complements the steel case while giving the face of the watch a stunning, almost radiant, appearance. The slight, almost unnoticeable texture makes light radiate in a brilliant aura. It sets the perfect base for the exceptional features that make this watch a part of the Full Calendar collection.

Set in a 40mm case, the dial features the hour markers as faceted steel indexes and signature leaf-shaped hands. The brand name and logo are placed at 12 o’clock, with the day and month counters sitting below it with contrasting red text for clear visibility. A clean moon phase indicator rests at six o’clock, continuing the understated design trope. This sub-dial comes integrated with the date function, featuring an Arabic numeral scale on its periphery. With such a streamlined configuration, one can tell the date, day, month, and lunar phase and time at once.

The full calendar complication is represented most subtly on the dial with the day and month counters sitting below 12 o'clock, while the moon phase indicator rests at six o'clock and comes integrated with the date function

The Mechanism

When talking about the excellence of this piece, the impressive GP03300 calibre deserves special mention. Apart from the full calendar functionality, the self-winding mechanical movement also ensures a power reserve of approximately 46 hours. Working at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, or 4 Hz, the heavy metal oscillation of the watch and the mechanism constructed using 295 components feels heavy and solid on your wrist while working like a dream. This mechanism is also resistant to water damage up to 30 metres, further adding functionality to the classic charm of the timepiece.

The impressive calibre GP03300 drives the full calendar functionality on this reference 49535-11-131-BB60. It works at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and ensures a power reserve of approximately 46 hours

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The Construction

Measuring 40 mm in diameter and a thickness of 10.8 mm, the case adds timeless allure to the wrist. The lugs are rounded to give an overall look of a softened and almost feminine charm. Further, it is fitted with sapphire crystal glass and shines a fine polished finish.

The stark black strap of the watch sits in contrast to the radiant silver dial yet complements it perfectly. Crafted from alligator leather, the strap adds a touch of luxury, while its velvet and flawless texture keeps the wrist in ultimate comfort. Also, the hand-stitched details exude professional craftsmanship of the highest order.

Measuring 40 mm in diameter, the watch comes rendered in steel and adds timeless allure to the wrist via a complementing black leather strap

The Exhibition Caseback

While the front is minimal, the caseback adds a level of stunning detail to the watch. Its open design, protected by sapphire crystal glass, gives you a peek into the mechanism, including the rotor, the jewels, and the bluish screws. Although most of the mechanism is tastefully concealed, you can see the fine finishing of Geneva stripes as well as the perlage pattern. The rim of the caseback also features the brand name Girard-Perregaux engravings, along with the model number.

While the front is minimal, the caseback on the Girard-Perregaux 1966 Full Calendar adds a level of stunning detail through the sapphire crystal open design