A Japan-exclusive model has been added to Girard-Perregaux's iconic "Vintage 1945" collection, which was inspired by antique rectangular watches. The use of a light gray color enhances the vividness of the hands, and although it bears the name "vintage," elements of a modern watch are scattered throughout.
Text by Tsubasa Nojima
Article published on December 5, 2022
This Japan-exclusive model features a silver dial with gray Roman numerals. The flowing typeface of the numerals and the date window at 1:30 give the dial a sense of dynamism. Automatic winding (Cal. GP03300). 28,800 vph. Power reserve of approximately 46 hours. Stainless steel (33.3mm x 32.46mm, 9.66mm thick). Water resistant to 30m. Limited to 200 pieces in Japan. Price: 1,639,000 yen (tax included).
What is Vintage 1945?
Swiss watches are immensely popular in modern Japan. Girard-Perregaux is said to have been the first to bring them to Japan. In 1860, at the end of the Edo period, François Perregaux, brother-in-law of Constant Girard, who founded Girard (the predecessor of Girard-Perregaux), visited Japan with a pocket watch.
He established a company in Yokohama in 64 and began full-scale imports of Swiss watches. Precision Swiss-made watches soon became one of the key items that rapidly promoted Japan's modernization, starting with the abolition of the Unspecified Time Law in 73.
Girard-Perregaux, which has such deep ties to Japan, has announced a Japan-only model of its flagship collection, the Vintage 1945. Coupled with the ever-increasing "luxury sports" boom, the Laureato is the watch that is currently attracting the most attention from the brand. However, the appeal of this brand doesn't end there. Taking this opportunity, we would like to take a look at another icon, the Vintage 1945.
The Vintage 1945 collection was born in 1995. As its name suggests, it was inspired by a model released by the company in 1945. As indicated by its rectangular case, which is based on straight lines, its roots date back to the Art Deco era of the 20s and 30s.
In the early 30s, the company began focusing on the American market, producing a variety of rectangular watches at its local factory. One of these watches caught the eye of Luigi Macaluso, who was the company's CEO at the time, in 95, and it was brought back into the market.
Macaluso was a business professional, but also an accomplished designer and product manager. The Vintage 1945, created under his leadership, has since undergone numerous updates and derivative models, growing into the company's signature collection. Its timeless, timeless appeal is evident in the latest releases.
