PeterCDE
10167
"collectable" vintage GP watches: "railroad grade" watch
G'day,
based on quite some recent submissions and questions on and off the forum, it may be helpful (or fun 
) to have a look at some collectable GP pieces of past decades.
Of course this is my very personal take on this; with a brand of more than 210 years of history, it is well possible to approach the "collection" topic from different positions. And none is completely wrong or right; in the end, it mostly bogs down to which specific piece provides you fun and makes you smile.
There are quite some remarkable differences and having a look around, to me it seems some brands did better quality or finer watches in past times. Or more unique solutions in details, as far as technical improvement and pushing the limits went.
In this regard, GP since 1991 is certainly different; the GP watches made today are mostly much finer, more reliable and in many instances more attractive than their production for many decades before.
Yet, there are quite some interesting watches by GP.
Some do represent an unique technical solution (like the early Quartz technique or fast-beat movements), some are extraordinarily fine craftmanship and represent highest skills (like the early pieces by Bautte or the vintage Tourbillons and complicated watches) and some do come with an interesting or unusual story. Other pieces are interesting because they are particularly rare or hard to find.
This defines my personal approach, knowing there may be an endless number of varying criteria. I often try to see in how far the specific piece does have some significance either for the brand or the watchmaking world in general.
For a basic approach (and beyond), my recommendation would be consult the two books: the brand new Francois Chaille "Girard-Perregaux" or the 1991 GP publication "Horloger Par Vocation" (it?s sold out, but you may find it at antiquarian bookstores).
Both do present a variety of vintage pieces of which many are part of GP?s own collection in the GP Museum; that may give a first overview.
Now you may expect a more or less complete line-up of which are GP?s special pieces over the years; frankly, to do such a list and provide some substantial coverage on each of them is probably more of a lifetime task and will for sure fill another book (and not a small one).
But then, i?d like to share at least some random picks and will try to explain why i regard them to be special, again knowing a different perspective can be justified as easily as mine.
To clearify and give it a kick start, here?s a very randomly choosen example:
This piece dates 1973/1974; as far as i know, these watches were made or the Canadian markets in a somewhat limited number.
The diameter of the gold-plated case is little over 34mm (not including lugs or crown) and the screw-on back is steel. Interestingly, while the signatures between the lugs include not only the reference code, but a 4-digit number which i suspect to be an individual serial number of the specific piece.
This watch comes with a fast-beat manual wind movement; GP only made two manual-wind variants of their wildly successfull fast-beat technology and this one, named caliber 43.1, was introduced in 1970 and the only manual wind to come with a "hack set" feature (aka "stop second") that allows to stop the second hand by pulling the crown.
It is most unlikely to have been an extremely precious watch in it?s days; the case is rather thin compared to GP?s higher priced models or IWC?s casework during that time. And a gold-plated case, while usually being priced a little above the steel variants, naturally does not resist daily wear like a steel or solid gold case.
The movement bears no special decoration; it?s finely finished in all areas necessary for proper function, though.
The dial and hands are average; not cheap or mediocre quality, they are well within what could be found in GP?s mid-range pieces then.
The movement actually is special; there are not that many pieces with a manual-wind fast-beat movement as automatics became tremendously popular since 1960?s and in mid 1970?s, the quartz crisis was almost in full swing. Therefore, a mechanical time-only watch was regarded quite a dinosaur, an artefract of times long gone and never to come back. Thankfully the folks were wrong then...
As noted, there are only two manual-wind variants of GP?s fast-beat movements and this one is the last implementation based on the same caliber family which was in use for the better known chronometer rated automatics in the 1960?s and 1970?s. And earlier movements did proof to be incredibly accurate, among the most accurate pieces of serial production ever made.
A conclusion may lead to the perception of a somewhat more simple dressed watch; it is an unusual model not frequently found and the movement was special, particularly in the time it was made.
Now to come back to the question, does all of this result in a collectable piece?
One may argue it?s not an extremely special watch and does not represent fine craftmanship or excellent decorative efforts. And it is most probably not to be regarded a high-end piece compared to products by other brands (such as a fine AP or PP).
From a monetarian point of view, one of these doesn?t allow you to retire; it?s certainly not worth many thousands and because it?s not as well-known as the automatic variants, it may not be sought after in the same way.
On the other hand, in GP?s history the creation of fast-beat movements back in mid 1960?s certainly is to be regarded as a milestone which did have some impact on the watch world in general; shortly afterwards, the beat rate of 28.800 A/h became a standard in the industry. And this particularly model is among the last high frequency movements made; together with a most probably small number of pieces it is unusual.
My own take on this one is to regard it as a collectable watch; not the most glorious GP watch, but some aspects seem to be interesting for me:
- an unusual and likewise rare model
- an unusual, extremely accurate and interesting movement
- it stems from difficult times.
Not all of GP vintage watches do likely and thus for me it does have a special meaning; personally i think it?s worth cherishing (which means, to give it the bitter needed service) and keeping.
That said, i do believe there are quite some interesting watches by GP out there.
And even if it?s not a most precious, incredibly rare or ultimate high-end piece, a beautiful vintage GP watch can still be a reliable timekeeper and a piece that makes you smile, which is probably the best reason to buy one.
Just that from a "collective" or "collector?s" point of view, one may do well to focus on pieces which do have a meaning for the brand or a special "story" behind. Those are likely to be a bit more sought after and thus allow to invest what is needed to establish and maintain a collectable condition.
And if i didn?t bother you to death until now, the next piece in the "collectable portfolio" will be much older and significantly larger.
Greetings from germany,
Peter
