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WATCH REVIEW Girard-Perregaux 1966 Complete Calendar

Editor's opinion
73 / 100
After the Aquascope Jean Richard, lets discover the other entity of the Sowind Group, Girard Perregaux, through the 1966 GP Calendrier Complet: a classic but discreet watch. Review.
Straight to the Point

Girard-Perregaux 1966 Complete Calendar

Ref.: 49535-79-152-BK6A
$17,400.00 US retail price October 24th, 2010
Pros
  • a classic and discreet elegance
  • a useful complication
  • a truly limited edition
Cons
  • a strap that is too dull
  • the small diameter of the movement compared to the case
Technical specifications
Brand Girard-Perregaux
Model name
1966 Calendrier Complet
Reference
49535-79-152-BK6A
Case material
Palladium
Case diameter (without crown)
40 mm
Case diameter (crown included)
41,85 mm
Movement type
Automatic
Caliber
GP033M0
Base Caliber
Manufacture
Functions
Date
Day
Hour
Minute
Month
Moon phases
Second
Crystal
Single-face crystal with anti-reflective coating
Power reserve
46h
Transparent back
Yes
Lug width
19,97 mm
Length from lug to lug
44,91 mm
Case thickness
10,95 mm
Strap material
Alligator
Clasp type
Pin buckle
Clasp material
White gold
Total weight
Unknown
Retail price USA at October 24th, 2010
17,400.00 $
Editor's opinion 73/100
Comfort (/15) 15
Movement (/20) 13
Movement Optimisation / Garnishment (/5) 3.5
Ease of handling and adjustment (/5) 5
Movement control proceeded by the Manufacture / horlogical awards (/3) 1
Power reserve (/2) 1
Complications (/5) 2.5
Finishing (/20) 14
Dial finishing (/6) 5
Case finishing (/6) 5
Quality of garnishment / caseback engraving quality (/2) 1
Crystal quality (/4) 2
Clasp finishing (inner and extern) (/2) 1
Functionality (/20) 10
Diurnal legibility (/5) 4
Night legibility (/4) 0
Water resistance (/3) 0
Strap : ease of size adjustment + ease of substitution (/4) 3
Clasp : quality and safety (/4) 3
Additional items (/10) 8
Limited edition (/3) 3
Watch delivered with several straps (/2) 0
Quality of the watch box (/1) 1
Portability with shirtsleeves buttoned (/2) 2
Goodies included (/1) 1
Understandability of the brochure (/1) 1
Value for money (/15) 13
  • When to wear it ?
  • At a cigar tasting event!
  • A well-wrought case

    Its 40 mm diameter might seem too important for such a classic watch.
    But the case middle is built in such a way that the back’s diameter is smaller than the dial’s one. Thus, the case balances itself and gives an impression of large openness.

    The complete polishing emphasizes the fluid lines: it is a great achievement.

    The four monthly calendar’s correction push buttons integrate themselves smoothly and are easily handled – thanks to the furnished small tool.

    The palladium, rare metal of the platinum’s group, justifies the limited edition.

    Indeed, it has a specific shade, slightly different from the steel’s or the white gold’s hue.
    Its owner will be thus the only one to know the exclusivity of this 199 pieces limited edition.

    A harmonious and well-balanced dial

    The silver dial of this Girard Perregaux is slightly brushed, curved on the edges and regulated by four applied markers.
    The whole gives a nice play of light.

    The two beveled apertures (day and month) are wisely centered and do not go beyond the diameter of the date and the moon phase, creating thus a harmonious balance.

    By way of contrast with the dial’s texture, the polished leaf-shaped hands allow a clear and instinctive reading of the time.

    The blued steel second hand takes up the same color as the calendar’s indicator and as the starry sky of the moon phase.

    Characteristic detail of the very good level of finishing on this Girard Perregaux 1966 Calendrier Complet: the day and month provided by the two apertures indicators and the “31” of the date are also in blue, highlighting thus the harmony.

    A reproach nevertheless: the crocodile strap with its golden pin is truly too sober and even flat.
    We would have appreciated a little more volume or a touch of extravagance to lighten the whole.

    An in-house caliber

    The sapphire back* gives access to the GP033M0 automatic caliber.

    Developed by Sowind Group, to which belongs Girard Perregaux (as well as JeanRichard), it is indeed an in-house movement.

    The golden rotor is plainly engraved inside the mass with the brand’s name and the finishing is of a very good quality of execution (the grained finishing as well as the Côtes de Genève).

    The small dimension of the balance and the architecture of the bridges show that the conception of this movement is new: this watch is indeed from the beginning of the XXIst century.
    But we still regret the weak diameter of the movement compared to the case’s one.

    * a sticker “Not For Sale”, stuck on the internal face of the sapphire glass of the model entrusted to us by Girard Perregaux for this test has unfortunately prevented us from proposing good quality photographs of the movement.

    What to remember

    The Girard Perregaux 1966 Calendrier Complet is worth to be worn.

    Its qualities are indeed not all perceptible at the first glance: you will thus discover and appreciate it over the long term.
    This is what makes it interesting and charming, without tawdriness…

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