Round-UpFive Exquisite Girard-Perregaux Ladies’ Timepieces That Salute Its 230-Year-Old Watchmaking Heritage

Few brands in the haute horlogerie business can boast an extensive set-up that dates back to 1791, but have evolved over time and adapted to the current scenario in terms of consumer preference, market trends and economic growth. And, if you have a glorious 230-year-old run in fine watchmaking, and are still relevant in collectors’ circles and among horology enthusiasts, then you’re definitely ticking all the right boxes. First established by Jean-François Bautte, a Geneva-based watchmaker and jeweller, this company gained immense popularity, especially for its ultra-thin mechanicals. Such was the performance of these timekeepers that they found favour with clientele from the European royal courts including Queen Victoria, prior to her coronation in 1838. This was during an era, when the concept of a ‘proper’ wristwatch didn’t exist for women, and they had to settle for bejewelled wristlets with secret dials, as per the protocol.

However, it wasn’t until much later that the company got its name that we know it by today—Girard-Perregaux. This came about when the watchmaking establishment of this name, which was being run by watchmaker Constant Girard and the family of his wife Marie Perregaux, merged with Bautte’s company. Since then, the Swiss maison have become quite the force to reckon with. Also, it comes as no surprise that the brand have been offering novelties for both men and women, especially considering that the company carries the name of a woman as well, back in the day when men called the shots. This sentiment is visible in the iconic collections such as the 1966 with its understated classic dress watches for men and women, or the Vintage 1945 with its distinct art deco aesthetic. But it was with the enchanting Cat’s Eye Collection in 2004 that the brand truly floored the fairer sex.

If one were to delve into the most impressive watches from Girard-Perregaux’s portfolio, it would require an entire thesis. So for now, let’s focus on some of the finest women’s watches from the brand that have been relentlessly churning out exemplary timekeepers from Switzerland’s Jura region.

Girard-Perregaux Cat’s Eye Celestial

Girard-Perregaux Cat's Eye

₹39,40,000

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Traditionally, the Swiss luxury watchmaking industry has always been a male-dominated sphere. Right from the watchmakers and artisans to inventors and entrepreneurs; there has always been a dearth of women in the business of haute horlogerie. And, this was also the case since the industry was catering to more men, whether in the military services or those helming big conglomerates. However, over time, the industry has evolved to incorporate more female voices, thereby increasing options when it comes to choosing the right timepiece. Brands, too, have shattered the mould and have increasingly started catering to ladies in a big way—for starters, dedicating exclusive collections to them, rather than merely doling out downsized versions of men’s watches, fitted with cheap quartz movements. The Girard-Perregaux Cat’s Eye Collection is one such fine example. Launched in 2004, the Cat’s Eye Collection busts the myth that women’s watches can only look pretty. Inspired by the mysterious eyes of the stealthy felines, these watches combine design excellence along with intricate mechanical movements, housed in signature oval cases—much like the enigma of the elusive creature. The Cat’s Eye Celestial is an ode to astronomy with a prominent moon phase disc measuring 8.9mm, which completes its rotation in 59 days. Crafted in a pink gold case and bezel, the latter is studded with 62 diamonds, which make this a resplendent celestial celebration. The white mother-of-pearl dial with a guilloche motif forms the perfect backdrop, as it contrasts with the aventurine glass section that resembles the night sky, depicting the moon in all its glory. The mechanism is highly accurate, and needs one correction, every 360 years, as opposed to a classical moon phase that accumulates a one-day discrepancy, every two and a half years. It is brought to life by the GP03300 movement that comprises 240 parts and offers a 46-hour power reserve.

Girard-Perregaux Cat’s Eye Plum Blossom

Girard-Perregaux Cat's Eye

₹33,70,000

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The Cat’s Eye watches are known for their unique eye-catching motifs, use of precious stones and sleek silhouettes. And the Cat’s Eye Plum Blossom stays true to this spirit. It captures the beauty of a flower in a simple yet elegant manner, a quality that resonates with most women. This minimalist poetic timepiece in a pink gold elliptical case maximizes the visual impact when light reflects off its surface. The watchmakers have used aventurine glass for the dial, with just the hour and the minute hands in pink gold. The Girard-Perregaux emblem is visible in the upper half, and one can’t help but be instantly drawn towards the gold blossom at nine o’clock, which indicates the small seconds, completing one rotation per minute. The sleek case is intricately crafted with a sublime integration of the lugs and is topped by a bezel encrusted with 62 brilliant-cut diamonds, totalling 0.85 carats. The Cat’s Eye Plum Blossom is powered by the GP03300 movement and there’s no compromise when it comes to the decoration. It is adorned with Geneva stripes, perlage, blued screws and a skeletonised pink-gold rotor, also designed in the shape of a petal cluster. The watch is presented on a matching blue alligator leather strap that completes the look.

Girard-Perregaux Laureato 34mm

Girard-Perregaux Laureato Shop the Collection

A watch with a distinct character, the Laureato currently is the bestselling collection worldwide for Girard-Perregaux. It was originally launched in the 1970s to fill a void in the luxury sports watch segment, and has emerged as an iconic line with its strong identity and design for both men and women horology patrons. The original model was crafted in stainless steel with a dual-tone design, and fitted with an in-house quartz movement. Yes, quartz, because it was launched at a time when Swiss mechanical watchmaking had been severely hit due to the influx of cheaper and more accurate quartz movements. However, this changed when the resurgence of mechanical watches began in the early 90s. That’s when the brand decided to launch its first Laureato with a mechanical movement in 1995. And there’s been no stopping since then with constant upgrades to this family. However, 2016 was a landmark year when the watchmaker introduced chronographs and open-worked models for men.

Soon after, the Laureato 34mm was launched—a new ladies’ watch presenting a distinct, sporty-chic rendition of the original. The watch is a sight to behold on the wrist, since the sharp lines of the case and bracelet reflect enough light, which make the polished surfaces look even more spectacular. To maintain uniformity, the watchmakers have ensured that all exterior components such as the bracelet links and clasp are satin brushed. The original octagonal bezel remains unchanged and is paved with 56 brilliant-cut diamonds on either a steel version—limited to 200 pieces—or a satin-brushed, pink-gold model, which is a 100-piece limited edition. Though this timepiece is inspired by a men’s sports watch, the brand have managed to strike a balance between the dressy and sporty aesthetics for women. The dial is adorned with a Clous de Paris hobnail guilloche motif, with the date window at three o’clock. As a tribute to the original model, these watches are also equipped with quartz calibres to leave no stone unturned, when it comes to precision timekeeping.

Girard-Perregaux Cat’s Eye Power Reserve

The Girard-Perregaux Power Reserve has a small indicator near the date display at three o'clock that sweeps across a starry cluster, and informs the wearer when the watch needs winding

The watch’s date aperture at three o’clock is encircled by two off-centre ovals that resemble a cat’s eye. This also complements the elliptical case and enhances the visual appeal

Girard-Perregaux Cat's Eye Shop the Collection

A simple yet a highly useful function, the power reserve indicator in a mechanical watch serves as a huge blessing. It tells the wearer of the remaining functional hours in the watch and also acts like a fuel gauge on a car dashboard, indicating when exactly one must refuel. Besides, a power reserve watch also spells certain personality traits such as being highly organised, and having a flair for the refined aesthetic when it comes to horology. The Cat’s Eye Power Reserve is for ladies who will settle for nothing but the best. It is available in several permutations and combinations, to cater to everyone’s tastes. The sophisticated dial looks exquisite with guilloche engraving that give the impression of originating from the sub-dial at nine o’clock, indicating the seconds. There are eight diamonds that serve as hour markers, carefully placed between three, six, nine and 12 o’clock. The watch bezel is studded with 64 diamonds, and there’s also an option with a plain bezel. The watch’s date aperture—positioned at three o’clock—is encircled by two off-centre ovals that resemble a cat’s eye. This also complements the elliptical case and enhances the visual appeal of the timepiece. A small power reserve indicator, positioned near this date display, functions via a small hand that sweeps across a starry cluster, telling the wearer it’s time to wind the watch. It is equipped with the automatic GP03300-0070 calibre, which beats at a frequency of 28,800vph. It is visible through the caseback and showcases the engraved rotor with a tapestry of the Girard-Perregaux logo, and comes with a power reserve of 46 hours.

Girard-Perregaux Cat’s Eye Majestic

While retaining the oval shape, Girard-Perregaux have given a twist to the Cat’s Eye with this Majestic model. As with the other watches in this range, where the display is usually horizontal, the display here is vertical—a design alteration used within the collection only in the Cat’s Eye Tourbillon and haute joaillerie pieces. The vertical shape makes it more contemporary and versatile, thereby making this watch apt for day and night; for a casual or a more formal soirée. The polished case measures 34.72mm by 40.00mm and 11.60mm in thickness, and the oval bezel is set with 60 brilliant-cut diamonds. The dial uses mother of pearl with a sunray decoration. The leaf-shaped hands sweep across the dial decorated with the diamond hour markers and Arabic numerals. The watch is powered by the mechanical manufacture movement GP03300 with automatic winding. It is composed of 199 parts, beats at a frequency of 28,800vph and can keep ticking for up to 46 hours autonomously. One can admire the decoration on the movement through the sapphire crystal caseback. The Cat’s Eye Majestic is presented on a two-tone—steel and rose gold—bracelet that makes it a perfect companion for your wrist.

To read about some of the best men’s watches from Girard-Perregaux, click here