Girard-Perregaux

Girard-Perregaux, also know as GP, is a leading Swiss luxury watch brand. It founded in 1791 and since 1906 is known under its current name Girard-Perregaux. It is owned by the Sowind Group/Kering (Gucci, Ulysse Nardin). Shortly after its launch, the predecessor of Girard-Perregaux became the first watch workshop to control all workflows of watchmaking in-house.

GP watches have featured many new and innovative concepts. Girard-Perregaux started the first commercial production of a wristwatch, namely two thousand watches for German Kaiser Wilhelm I and his military corps. In the 1960s, Girard-Perregaux invented the a high-frequency mechanic movement. In the 1970s it set the standard for quartz watches, still valid today: a movement that vibrates with 32,768 hertz. Early in the 21st century, GP developed a constant force escapement. Notable Girard-Perregaux watches are the Gyromatic, Sea Hawk, Richeville, Hawk, 1966 Full Calendar, 1966 Minute Repeater.

THE WATCHTIME Q&A

Girard-Perregaux CEO Antonio Calce on Rebuilding a Heritage Brand

Girard-Perregaux commemorated its 225th anniversary of watchmaking in 2016, issuing a number of special editions and introducing (or re-introducing) several new models and collections in a concerted effort to streamline the brand's identity and build a stronger bridge to its heritage. The man spearheading that effort is Antonio Calce, CEO of the Sowind Group, who recently sat down with me in New York City for an interview.

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Jul 24, 2017 by Mark Bernardo