[2021 Latest Edition] Mechanical Watches "8 Recommended Girard-Perregaux Models"

How are you all doing during this state of emergency?

I spend my days off relaxing at home, drinking while watching movies, making snacks while listening to jazz (all about alcohol). In spite of the current situation, it may be important to take it as an opportunity to find new ways to have fun and find new hobbies. If you have time, I would be happy if you could not only watch movies, but also check out Commit Ginza's YouTube channel (COMMIT TV), subscribe to the channel, and give it a like (lol).

Now, for my column this time, I would like to present my “8 recommendations” from Girard-Perregaux , a brand whose designs I personally love.

I would like to introduce it to you right away, but first I would like to tell you a little about the history of Girard-Perregaux .

The History of Girard-Perregaux

Founded in 1791, Girard-Perregaux is a historic brand that will celebrate its 230th anniversary in 2021. The original form of the Girard-Perregaux brand was established by two key men, Jean-François Botté and Constant Girard.

Jean-François Botté was a talented watchmaker who made his first watch at the age of 19, and later established the most well-equipped watch factory in Geneva at the time, producing thin pocket watches. In addition to being a watchmaker, he also achieved outstanding results in sales and management, such as expanding the brand's distribution channels overseas. Another person who built the foundations of Girard-Perregaux, Constant Girard, took over the workshop established by Jean-François Botté and created the foundation for the technology to be passed down to the present day. The current brand name comes from the marriage in 1854 between Constant Girard and Marie Perregaux, the daughter of a watch merchant.

After the company changed its name to Girard-Perregaux, it exhibited a tourbillon at the Paris World's Fair in 1867, where it won a gold medal, and again achieved the remarkable feat of exhibiting La Esmeralda (a tourbillon with three bridges) at the World's Fair held in Paris in 1889 (said to be the most prestigious exposition of the 19th century), where it again won a gold medal.

Marie Perregaux's two brothers, who came from a family of watch merchants, both worked hard to expand sales and develop markets overseas. Henri Perregaux worked hard to popularize Girard-Perregaux watches in North and South America, while François Perregaux worked hard in Japan. François Perregaux actually ended his life in Japan, and his grave is in the Yokohama Foreign Cemetery. Every year on the anniversary of his death, a "François Perregaux Memorial Gathering" is held by people involved in the watch industry. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels happy when I think about his connection with Japan in this way.

Despite this glorious history, the global economy has also entered an era of active M&A between international companies, and in 2011 Girard-Perregaux became part of the Kering Group (which owns renowned brands in fashion, leather, watches, and jewelry, such as Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, and Ulysse Nardin).

Currently, the sole distributor in Japan for Girard-Perregaux and Ulysse Nardin is Sowind Japan Co., Ltd. If you do not have an authorized store near you and need manufacturer maintenance, please contact the company via the link below.

Sowind Japan Co., Ltd. (sowind-japan.jp) is the exclusive distributor in Japan of "Ulysse Nardin", "Girard-Perregaux" and "JeanRichard".

The famous Laureato

Girard-Perregaux naturally participates in watch fairs held in Switzerland, and in 2013 it moved its new product launches to Baselworld, but in 2017 it returned to Watches & Wonders Geneve (formerly SIHH), where it had previously presented new products. And at its first new product launch back at Watches & Wonders Geneve, it revived the Laureato, which I would like to focus on today, into the modern era. I say revived, but in fact the Laureato was originally sold as a quartz watch when it was launched in 1975. Few people may know that the original Laureato was quartz, not mechanical.

[Source][Source][Source][Source][Source][Source] Girard-Perregaux

[INFINITY EDITION]

From here, we will introduce the remaining three [INFINITY EDITION].

It is made of black onyx and looks very cool, so why not consider purchasing one from your favorite main collection (Laureato, Vintage 1945, 1966)?

➏LAUREATO 42 MM INFINITY EDITION (Limited to 188 pieces worldwide) Ref. 81010-11-635-11A

List price: 1,606,000 yen (tax included)

[Source][Source][Source] Girard-Perregaux

summary

What did you think.

Blue dial watches such as the Royal Oak, Nautilus, and Overseas are becoming increasingly popular, but I feel that the blue dial of the Laureato that we introduced this time is also likely to be the next top model to become popular.

In addition to the Laureato, the brand also has a different and attractive lineup called the Vintage 1945/1966. The last one, the limited edition model made of black onyx, the INFINITY EDITION, is also highly recommended as it is produced in limited quantities.

Currently, it is still possible to purchase a Girard-Perregaux watch at a relatively affordable price on the second-hand market. Why not consider purchasing a Girard-Perregaux watch before it becomes difficult to obtain?