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ReviewThe Eternal Elegance Of 1966—Girard-Perregaux’s Quintessential Dress Watch

With an appeal that is timeless, and based on accomplishments that go back to the ’60s, the modern-day 1966 line from Girard-Perregaux is refinement exemplified, and a triumph in restraint. Here’s a closer look at the classic dress watch, and a few of the line’s recent special editions

Neelma Tiwari June 19, 2023

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Named after a year exceptionally significant for the maison, the Girard-Perregaux 1966 serves as the house’s refined dress watch. Its straightforward and classical looks have acquired the collection a well-deserved cachet of timelessness. The minimalistic appeal of the watch translates beautifully to the wrist with the slim, round case, clean, uncluttered dial, and subtle details. Over the years, the collection has expanded to include a sprinkling of watchmaking complexities, with even one dual-time model, with just a hint of sportiness. Nevertheless, the watches are still based on the canons of classic 1966 DNA and exhibit the recognisable elegance one associates with the collection. Also, as one would expect from Girard-Perregaux, 1966 is a synthesis of brilliant watchmaking and crafts featuring finely-finished in-house mechanical movements.

Girard-Perregaux 1966 collection review dress watches black dials Swiss watchmaking luxury watches blue dial watches — The 1966 watches are still based on the canons of classic 1966 DNA and exhibit the recognisable elegance one associates with the collection. Seen here is a modern-day blue-dial iteration of the classic dress watch

The 1966 line was conceptualised to honour the technical watchmaking achievements of Girard-Perregaux during the 1960s. However, the advances during this period were made on the heels of a watershed invention in 1957—the introduction of the Gyromatic, a sleek-looking timepiece with a slim, self-winding movement. Gyromatic eventually served as the premise for the first high-speed mechanical movement with a beat rate of 36,000vph, developed by the house in 1966. Girard-Perregaux were subsequently laurelled for this landmark innovation with the prestigious Centenary Prize bestowed by the Neuchâtel Observatory. Suitably, the 1966 collection has extended the restrained approach and timeless sensibility of that era into the present.

The Modern 1966—Practical Watchmaking, Elegant Form

The current 1966 line-up is a coherent collection of watches in various dial colours, materials and complications, while the design remains consistent. The purest 1966 is a simple time-and-date model offered in a 40mm size. These watches are just 8.9mm thick, creating a slim profile that would find a sweet spot on varied wrist sizes. They either come in steel or gold with a few diamond-decked iterations in options of bracelet and leather. The dial on a 1966 40mm works harmoniously with the case to furnish the characteristic poise. And while stripped of any extra frill, it contains a balance that is striking. The display includes faceted hour indexes, leaf-shaped hands, and a tone-on-tone date aperture at three o’clock. Complete with a clean brand signature, the dial is easy to read and quite refined.

Girard-Perregaux 1966

Each 1966 watch, irrespective of the style or size, comes with a sapphire crystal caseback revealing a self-winding movement. All time-and-date models within the 1966 family are driven by calibre GP03300, which also powers many Laureato watches. A beat rate of 28,800vph, 295 components, 27 jewels, and a power autonomy of 46 hours culminate in making it a reliable, high-precision movement. To enhance the visual through the caseback, Girard-Perregaux have adorned the movement with varied finishing. Each bevelling, engraving, and other such detailing is tuned to perfection.

A Celestial Reverie—The 1966 Orion Trilogy

Elevating 1966’s status from subtle to statement, the Orion trilogy stimulates the senses just as a night sky full of stars does. Released in 2020 and presented in rose gold, steel, or DLC-coated steel, the 1966 Orion confidently embraces celestial beauty with its aventurine dials that shimmer to evoke the Orion constellation and the bright stars in its belt. Furthermore, this glass is curved to give the dial a domed shape, achieving a sense of visual depth in the process. Elongated hour markers and signature feuille hands that complement the hue of the case display stability, while the date aperture and the brand signature grant a surprising amount of legibility.

Girard-Perregaux 1966

Visible from the back and dwelling comfortably inside the slim 9.4mm case is the signature self-winding calibre GP03300. It shows the maison’s fine craftsmanship with impeccable finishing, including perlage and Geneva stripes.

Darker Than The Night Sky: The 1966 Infinity Edition

At the 2020 Geneva Watch Days, Girard-Perregaux added an updated 1966 to their repertoire—the Infinity Edition. Offered in 40mm and 30mm sizes, the watch captures infinite elegance with a black onyx dial. Modest and streamlined, the dial comes adorned with applied and painted hour indexes and signature leaf-shaped hands. A crisp GP logo in rich gold sits resolutely at 12 o’clock, accompanied by a complementing date aperture at three for a more balanced mien. Sporting diamonds on the bezel, the 30mm version of the 1966 Infinity promises to add a playful dash of glamour. Sans the date aperture, the dial on a 30mm Infinity Edition elevates the minimalistic nature of the watch.

At the 2020 Geneva Watch Days, Girard-Perregaux added an updated 1966 to their repertoire—the Infinity Edition
Offered in 40mm (seen here) and 30mm sizes, the watch captures infinite elegance with a black onyx dial
Modest and streamlined, the dial comes adorned with applied and painted hour indexes and signature leaf-shaped hands. A crisp GP logo in rich gold sits resolutely at 12 o’clock
The striking sheen of the black onyx dial is undoubtedly the show-stealer in this edition
Within the 40mm model lies the reliable self-winding calibre GP03300 that also powers the other 40mm iterations and watches in the Orion trilogy

Within the 40mm model lies the reliable self-winding calibre GP03300 that also powers the other 40mm iterations and watches in the Orion trilogy. Whereas the Infinity in 30mm houses calibre GP03200, boasting a power reserve of 42 hours. Both versions of the 1966 Infinity Edition are limited to 188 pieces only.

The 1966 On The Wrist

The Girard-Perregaux 1966 is a watch with all the makings of a classic. It carries natural elegance, exuded as much by its versatile size as by its slim profile. On the wrist, it is wearable with a pleasing case construction and short lugs that comfortably hug the wrist. All the colour variations in the simple time-and-date models and the Infinity Edition will make for amazing everyday wearers. Whereas the Orion Trilogy will work best as a choice for special occasions. Yet no matter the style, each Girard-Perregaux 1966 ties an overall impression of refinement to any ensemble it is paired with.