The Legacy Edition recreates the rich heritage of the prestigious Girard-Perregaux, founded in 1791, with modern technology and craftsmanship. Following the hugely successful Casquette, the Deep Diver is a stunning second release. Created in collaboration with British watchmaker Bamford, renowned for its luxury watch customization, this collector's item, limited to 350 pieces, stylishly connects the past and present.
This bold reissue of the legendary Ref. 9108, first released in 1969, was ahead of the curve in both functionality and design for the 1970s, and incorporates the style of customization genius Bamford. It features an internal rotating bezel, a date display, and comes on a navy and orange rubber strap. Automatic movement (Cal. GP03300). 27 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve of approximately 46 hours. Titanium case (40.3mm x 38mm, 13.91mm thick). Water resistant to 200m. Limited to 350 pieces worldwide. Price: ¥2,134,000 (tax included).
Photographs by Eiichi Okuyama
Text by Takahiro Ohno
Text by Takahiro Ohno (Office Peropaw)
Edited by Yukiya Suzuki (Chronos-Japan)
[Article published in the July 2025 issue of Kronos Japan]
The Deep Diver was reissued as the second Legacy Edition.
It was in 1957 that Girard-Perregaux released the Deep Diver, the first full-scale diver's watch equipped with their proprietary automatic movement, Gyromatic. At the time, diving was just beginning to become popular as a leisure activity, and the watch industry was fiercely competing to develop diving watch technology. Girard-Perregaux, along with several other luxury brands, was at the forefront of watchmaking history.
In 1969, when the world was abuzz with the space race and flashy primary-colored dials and streamlined, spacious case shapes were becoming the trend of the time, the Deep Diver Ref. 9108, featuring the iconic hexagonal bezel and cushion case, was released. This ambitious design foreshadowed the octagonal bezel of the Laureato, which was released six years later in 1975, and was a huge hit as a cutting-edge statement piece at the time.
This new, second-in-the-Legacy Edition reissue retains the case shape of the 1969 model, while the dial reflects the bold aesthetic of the 1971 Deep Diver. The voluminous case surface features a radial hairline finish true to the original, and the color of the grade 5 titanium closely resembles that of the steel. The retro-pop color scheme of orange, blue, and white, along with the retro-futuristic typography of the numerals, elevates the atmosphere of the time to a modern level. It is an extremely meaningful undertaking for a brand rich in heritage worthy of being "revived," to shed light on its archives once again and creatively attempt to connect the past and the future.
Another topic of discussion for this new release is the collaboration with Bamford Watch Department. Bamford is a London-based brand that specializes in customizing luxury watches. Their high-quality work, which combines traditional watchmaking with a modern design sensibility, has earned them acclaim from watch enthusiasts and fashion-conscious consumers. While previous collaborations have focused on bringing innovation to established, current models through customization, what makes this collaboration special is that it involves customizing a classic watch from over half a century ago and reissuing it as a reissue. The only clear trace is the replacement of the "Gyromatic" inscription at 6 o'clock on the dial with a more subdued "BAMFORD," but it is undoubtedly Bamford's achievement in combining the classic 70s charm of the original with an urban, sophisticated look.
The two rubber straps available in navy and orange are also stylish. The tool-free quick-release system not only makes them practical and comfortable, but also allows for a wide range of fashion coordination options. The blue metallized sapphire crystal case back offers a glimpse of the beating of the in-house GP03300 movement and the intricate finish that is a testament to the craftsmanship of the artisans.
The new Deep Diver is not simply a reissue of a legendary timepiece from the past, but a reimagining of it from Bamford's perspective. Every detail has been refined, from the aesthetics to the specifications of the movement. It perfectly embodies the conditions for a masterpiece that will continue to be loved for generations to come.
