The 1966 Collection by Girard-Perregaux is defined by its clean, pure and refined design. We at Monochrome Watches have hailed its styling before, when we reviewed the 1966 Blue Dial and the more recent 41-mm edition. This collection also includes numerous complications, such as an Equation of Time and Annual Calendar, a full calendar and even a Minute Repeater. The only missing function was a second time zone. This void is now filled with the introduction of the Girard-Perregaux 1966 Dual Time.
The Girard-Perregaux 1966 Dual Time features design codes typical of the 1966 collection. However, it adds not only an extra hand to indicate a second time zone but it also introduces a new layout and some more depth to a very classical and clean design.
The 40-mm 18k rose-gold case uses the same elegant curves, with short lugs and rounded case-bands, so the novelty is not here (and it’s a good thing, because this case is extremely nice to behold and to wear).
Aesthetically, the most notable development is in the display and the dial. Available in a bright off-white or a dark charcoal, it comes with curved and protruding gold indexes that match the case and the hands. Inside this dial, a 24-hour track, slightly contrasting with the main dial, indicates the additional time zone with the aid of a red pointer hand. At 6 o’clock, we find a useful date function, displayed by a rotating hand within a circular subdial. This sub-counter is circled with a gold ring, creating additional contrast and a refined final touch. The multiple steps, layers and tones of this dial create a more complicated feeling and bring a pleasant depth to a design that is usually very clean, maybe even too clean.
On the right side of the Girard-Perregaux 1966 Dual Time we find two pushers (on both sides of the fluted crown, just as on a chronograph). These are used to quickly adjust the hour hand to the local time, forward or backward in one-hour increments. The adjustment is thus easy and the pushers elegantly integrated. The watch is powered by the famous Calibre GP-3300 (with the added functions, it becomes the GP-3300-0094). It boasts 46 hours of power reserve and ticks at a modern 4-Hz frequency. The nice finishing (Geneva stripes, gold rotor, blued screws and polished beveled angles) can be seen through the sapphire caseback.
On the wrist, this added complexity and depth does not change the elegant feeling of the previous, simpler editions of the Girard-Perregaux 1966. The size is definitely restrained and will perfectly compliment a dress outfit. Simply, by adding some complications, GP has renewed the 1966 with a fresh, elegant and balanced design. The new functions – GMT and date – are practical and have been very tastefully integrated, removing none of the inherent beauty of the 1966. The Girard-Perregaux 1966 Dual Time, regardless of the edition, is priced at 24,200 euros.
More specs on the next page…
Specifications:
Rose gold case
- Diameter: 40 mm
- Crystal: nonreflective sapphire
- Dial: off-white or anthracite gray
- Back: sapphire crystal
- Water resistance: 30 meters (3 ATM)
Girard-Perregaux GP03300-0094 movement
- Automatic mechanical movement
- Diameter: 25.60 mm (11 1/2 ’’’)
- Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
- Power reserve: minimum 46 hours
- Jewels: 27
- Functions: hours, minutes, central seconds, second time zone (24 hours), date at 6 o’clock
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