Girard Perregaux

blomman Mr Blue
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The case and dial of the GP 8867

Friends,

You all know that when I find a watch I really like, I try to find as much information about the watch as possible… 

The GP 8867 is no exception to this rule.

As I pointed out in my review, the case is very similar to some of the other well-known divers from that time.

You find the full review here: 

gp.watchprosite.com

As you can see from these shots, the cases of the GP 8867 and the Omega 2913 are very similar.

Both have diameter of 39 mm, both have 48 mm lug tip to lug tip and inside lugs 19mm.

Both have the same construction of the bezel, but the Omega is a bit thicker in total.

From case back to top of the bezel the Deep Diver measures 10.5 mm while the SM 300 is 11.5 mm.

Both have the screw down case back (and cool symbols on the back).

I have now got confirmed that the GP 8867 case was made by Piquerez S.A.

Piquerez S.A. also made cases for Omega at that time, but  not the Omega CK 2913, SM 300 which was made by Huguenin Fréres. You see the HF logo in the center of the case inner back.

Piquerez S.A. do not exist any longer in its original form but a member of the Piquerez family started a new company that specializing in manufacturing of small metal watch components and medical devices.

If you google you will see that many vintage watches you recognize uses cases made by Piquerez.

Huguenin Fréres are still in business and focus on metal work and gravure.

Same here, if you google HF you will find many vintage watches you recognize uses cases made by them.

The dial of the GP 8867. OK, if we now focus on the dial, it has an “air de familiar” right?

Many famous divers from the 50’s and 60’s have black dials, maybe that is the reason? Or it might have to do with who manufactured the dials….?

There were a few actors on the dial market at that time. Lemrich was one, made dials for Rolex among others.

Another big manufacture of dials was Singer, again used by Rolex, but also by Omega. 

Another legend that has a Singer dial is the Jaeger-LeCoultre Deep Sea Alarm.

Please see Nicolas post on the subject:

http://jlc.watchprosite.com/show-forumpost/fi-2/pi-5921118/ti-869128/s-0/

As you can see the dial I manage to find is not a completed dial, it is missing the tritium layer.

One thing I am curious about is how they make the numbers? Are the numbers painted on the tritium? Or….?

So, let’s turn the dial over and see…

Yes, as many other divers from that time, the GP 8867 uses a dial made by Singer!

Can you name some of the famous vintage divers that used dials made by Signer?

It is interesting to see, once you start to dissect a vintage watch, how many parties involved making one watch.

Today’s fashion that everything MUST be in-house made to be acceptable didn’t exist back then.

The question is, was the watches of lesser quality back then? Or do you actually gain something by using specialists for each part…?

Food for thoughts…

Either way, I LOVE my GP 8867!

Best

Blomman

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