As a brand Girard-Perregaux has consistently interpreted its expertise through original collections where each watch is distinguished by singular aesthetic harmony. From the Chaux-de-Fonds Manufacture’s iconic Three Bridges, to its post modern Neo-Bridges collection, the maison has constantly re-invented its classic lines by paying tribute to some of its most iconic models without diverging from its core DNA. Refined and discreet, the Girard-Perregaux 1966 collection was designed to complement the manufacture’s signature Three Bridges foundation. Indeed, where the Three Bridges, with its pioneering “exposed movement” concept was advanced (for the era) and arguably emblematic of the independent watchmaking movement today, the 1966 Collection with delicately convex sides and round shape is evocative of the first pocket watches – a throwback to an age of classicism and elegant dress watches.

1966 recalls the year that Girard-Perregaux presented the first high-frequency watch movement, beating at 36,000 vibrations per hour. The new 1966 Blue Moon pays tribute to this period by integrating the fruits of the Manufacture’s technical and aesthetic heritage and adding sportive elements to what was originally meant to be the gentleman’s dress watch.

What happens when you add Sportive elements to the new Girard-Perregaux 1966 Blue Moon

The Girard-Perregaux 1966 is the most classical watch from the Chaux-de-Fonds manufacture: an understated dress watch that find its roots in a 1960s timepiece but to see it in its “Sky-to-Moon” post-modern guise, is to see that some 40mm dress watches can be micro-blasted for a matte surface, and then black DLC-coated to great effect. You wouldn’t be out of place wearing the new Girard-Perregaux 1966 Blue Moon to a formal dinner but neither would you be out of place rocking the Blue Moon with blue denims and t-shirt.

The purist aesthetic of the 1966 Blue Moon is further enhanced but its rubberised alligator strap to great effect even if the base model is essentially one which already exists in the form of the 1966 Date and Moon Phases; this is testament to just how transformed the new Girard-Perregaux 1966 Blue Moon is just by changing case and strap aesthetics.

Though technically not a smoked or fume dial, Girard-Perregaux introduces a new gradient, blue to midnight colour schema over a sunray-brushed dial to similar effect. Another evolution of the model sees the Chaux-de-Fonds manufacture re-introduce elongated applied batons from the original 1966 timepiece which plays up the contrast of “refined edginess”. Polished leaf hands anchor the entire look, keeping respectful to its classic heritage and complication – a moon phase with pointer date.

The new Girard-Perregaux 1966 Blue Moon is driven by the manufacture calibre GP03300-0115, a workhorse base calibre used in the brand’s many time-only watches and with sufficient torque for powering modular complications while keeping 46 hours power reserve. Given its price range, finishing on this movement is fairly industrial with Geneva stripes, hand-polished bevels and machine stamped perlage.

Girard-Perregaux 1966 Blue Moon Price and Specs

Movement Automatic calibre GP03300-0115 with 46 hour power reserve
Case 40mm black DLC-coated, micro-blasted stainless steel with 30 metres water resistance
Strap Rubberised alligator
Price SGD12,100 or CHF 8,950