Girard Perregaux Chronometer High Frequency Calibre 32A

Hi GP Collectors!

I bought a third Girard Perregaux High Frequency Chronometer with Calibre 32A in the back tonight. Please have a look at the link. There's no "Upload Photo" option. The world's most common online marketplace struck again. For those who saw my last post, it probably isn't surprising that I bought another. If anyone has one with original dial and good case, feel free to PM me.

The good thing about collecting these rare watches, is that the more plentiful second generation high beat, such as movement calibre 42.1 can be substituted for parts, according to my trusted watchmaker. Just as well, because on 570 were made.

From what information I have and simple observations, the first generation, comprising of the 32.8 and 32A (in that order) are the hardest to find. Second generation are easier to find and the third generation, comprising of calibres like 441 seem to be common as the base model Gyromatic.

When new, these watches were guaranteed to a mean variation of 2 seconds per day. To me, that is incredible! Regular chronometers even now only have to adhere to -4/+6 seconds per day.

I have my first two purchased Chronometers in the workshop at the moment, as one needs a complete strip down and repair, including case restoration, and the square needs a new stem. Both of the circular cased examples have the same batch number, (762), but who knows how big batches were? Not me.

If Peter Conrad from Germany frequents this forum, I'm sure he could definitely provide more information. He is infinitely more knowledgeable on GP than I am at present.















edited by marks: added pictures in the post

Current daily wristwear
1941 Universal Geneve Compur
1964 Girard Perregaux Damier
1952 Girard Perregaux 7421
1968 Girard Perregaux Alarm
1942 Omega
2003 Oris Miles Complication
2006 TAG Heuer Monaco CW2111
2010 Nauticfish 500/6

Incoming

1965 Girard Perregaux Gyromatic High Frequency Calibre 32A

At the watchmakers'

2x
1965 Girard Perregaux Gyromatic High Frequency Calibre 32A



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/19/2011 02:54AM by MarkS.

Hi Tim, Congrats on the new GP and good to see you at Revo!
You're collection is really becoming a Collection with a capital C.
Unfortunately I don't know enough about GP to say wise words about the brand,
Of course I do know the Gyromatics that date back to 1965; who does'nt.
Just like the Rolex Datejust watches I find the look of these GP's timeless.
Quite remarkable that GP had their Observatory chronometer, already in 1966,
a period where many brands were using quartz movements.
The vintage 1945 case is one of their best cases IMHO and I hope to see more in
the upcoming collection.
Your love for GP is very understandable.
From their current collection I really like the round watch with moon, day and month window.
So classic and so dressy, especially in white gold it's a stunner.

GEO

From what I know, the "Gyromatic" evolved from the Calibre 19, which itself has lineage from the calibres 47 and 71 and began with calibre 21 around 1955. It was based on the Peseux 310 with an automatic winding module on top of the manual calibre. After calibre 22 a date version, a new generation of Gyromatics arrived with calibre 31/32 based on an Anton Schild ebauche. The culmination is what I present to readers in the main post, the Chronometer High Frequency, which began production in 1965 with production commonly quoted as either 570 or 670. Here is an earlier posting from Revo-Online, when it was under its previous name "Horomundi".

31/10/2008

I had a chance to buy one of the original 1945's and I regret that I didn't take it. They are as rare as the Neuchatel "Observatory Chronometers", pictured in the link. All three of mine are what are labelled the "civilian" model.

As for the 1966 Annual Calendar in white gold, yes that is a stunner. My 18k rose gold 1950's model has definite style links to the 1966.

I hope you enjoyed reading the posting.

Current daily wristwear
1941 Universal Geneve Compur
1964 Girard Perregaux Damier
1952 Girard Perregaux 7421
1968 Girard Perregaux Alarm
1942 Omega
2003 Oris Miles Complication
2006 TAG Heuer Monaco CW2111
2010 Nauticfish 500/6

Incoming

1965 Girard Perregaux Gyromatic High Frequency Calibre 32A

At the watchmakers'

2x
1965 Girard Perregaux Gyromatic High Frequency Calibre 32A

That 31/10/2008 post you mentioned,
was and still is indeed a good read.
GEO

CARTIER forum moderator
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