Pre SIHH 2012 – Girard-Perregaux 1966 Annual Calendar and Equation of Time

Girard-Perregaux is the first to show us the novelties that will be officially released at the SIHH 2012. A new version of the 1966 Annual Calendar and Equation of Time and also a new version of the 1966 Small Seconds. Both look stunning!

The Girard-Perregaux 1966 Annual Calendar and Equation of Time was first released in 2009 and immediately was my favorite of that year. This year, or actually next year during the SIHH 2012, Girard-Perregaux will show us this model with a pink gold case and a ruthenium dial. Absolutely stunning.

This timepiece possesses all the assets of beautiful watchmaking, including its movement, caliber GP033M0. The flat surfaces are circular-grained, sunray-brushed or decorated with Côtes de Genève, while sharp edges are chamfered then polished, as are the flat-head screws. Caliber GP033M0 comprises of 287 parts, and is of course entirely developed and produced by the Girard-Perregaux Manufacture.

Girard-Perregaux developed a Microvar balance wheel with variable inertia (see photo to the left). It features six adjustable screws and two inertia-blocks on its rim, used respectively to set the balance wheel’s equilibrium and enable fine adjustment of the movement. This ensures increased precision and more stable adjustment.

The annual calendar, with date and month, only has to be corrected in February. The hand at 4.30 indicates the equation of time, which is the difference between the real solar time and the mean or civil time. The length of a solar day actually varies daily, due to the elliptical shape of the Earth’s orbit. This astronomical complication is based on a mechanism incorporating an annual disc with an elliptical cam that reproduces the Earth’s movement around the Sun. Corrections to the calendar are made with the crown, in both directions!

The 40 mm pink gold case has gorgeous curves and the strap are rounded so it is quite flush to the case. The case is 10.72 mm thick and has a sapphire crystal on boh sides. Through the see-through case back, the movement with its pink gold oscillating weight (with circular Côtes de Genève finish) can be seen.

Now let’s take a closer look at the true novelty, the new ruthenium-adorned dial. Its slate-grey color with delicate sunray-brush looks smashing with the pink gold of the case, white painted brand name, markers, pink gold baton-type applied hour markers, and leaf-shaped hands. All these details add up to a gorgeous classic timepiece!

Let’s end with some specification of the movement, caliber GP033M0:

• Mechanical with automatic winding
• Calibre: 11 ½ ligne
• Parts: 287
• Frequency: 28,800 vibrations / hour (4 Hz)
• Jewels: 44
• Power reserve: minimum 46 hours
• Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, annual calendar, equation of time
• Balance wheel: variable inertia with gold regulating screws (diameter: 7.18 mm)
• Main plate: rhodium-plated, circular-grained above and below, diamond-cut facets
• Barrel: snailing on the cover, sunray-brushing on the underside
• Gear-train bridge: polished and diamond-cut facets, circular-grained on the underside, drawn sides, diamond-cut recesses, Côtes de Genève and “Girard-Perregaux eagle” engraving
• Oscillating weight: pink gold, circular Côtes de Genève
• Gear-train: gilded 2N18 wheels, burnished pivots, circular-grained sides

The 1966 Full Calendar in white gold that was introduced this year was already a magnificent play of classic and slightly more contemporary looks, this new color combination for the 1966 Annual Calendar and E.O.T. has the same playful combination. All together this looks like a winner.

In the next days we’ll cover the new 1966 Small Seconds.. stay tuned.

More info can be found at the Girard-Perregaux website and their official Facebook page.