New Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 XXL Chronograph

Girard-Perregaux just released a new version of the Vintage 1945 XXL Chronograph. The new version features a 2-register chronograph resulting in a very balanced and elegant dial, worthy of an Art Deco tribute. With the Vintage 1945 collection, Girard-Perregaux has transformed Art Deco design from the early twentieth century to more modern dimensions. Much of the vintage looks and style remains, featuring typical details that can be found on vintage timepieces from that era. We compare the Vintage 1945 XXL Chronograph tri-compax with the new bi-compax for you.

With this new version, Girard-Perregaux continues a subtle redesign of the Vintage 1945 XXL collection. We had to look twice to see those subtle differences, besides the obvious change from 3-register chronograph to a 2-register chronograph and leaving out the date. When we put the two version next to each other, the differences become very clear.

Left is the older model that is still in the current collection, on the right the new version. Let’s first look at the case. The lugs have been shortened, or cut off a bit more. Other details that have been changed are the chronograph pushers which have been shortened as well and the crown is smaller.

The most obvious changes are on the dial: leaving out the date and switching from a 3-register chronograph (tri-compax) to a 2-register chrono. However there’s more. The railroad track has been moved from the dial’s centre to the outside, making the dial less cluttered. What I particularly like is the new font of the numerals. The central chronograph seconds hand, executed in blued steel, now has a small pointed counter-weight and the Girard-Perregaux logo and name are now significantly smaller.

Inside ticks the very beautiful caliber GP03300-0064, which is visible through the sapphire case-back, featuring a gold oscillating weight. The movement beats at 4 Hz (28,800 vph), has 47 jewels and has a power reserve of at least 46 hours. The Vintage 1945 XXL Chronograph comes in pink gold or stainless steel and measures 36mm x 37mm and has a height of 12.77mm.

For more information you can visit the Girard-Perregaux website.