Girard-Perregaux’s 1966 Column-Wheel Chronograph, powered by the brand’s recently introduced in-house Caliber GP03800. The watch itself has a refined, elegant look.
The case, made of rose gold, combines angular and rounded shapes. It has several interesting details like the small, flat crown, the contrasting tachymeter track, various dial levels and a long counterweight on the chronograph seconds hand.
The watch is somewhat hard to read. The polished rose-gold hands and markers are difficult to distinguish from the light-colored dial. The thin chronograph seconds hand is especially hard to make out. Add to this the fact that the numerals on the tachymeter track and subdials are very small and that the date ring is set so deep that the opening often leaves it in shadow. It might be a mistake to rely on this watch in critical timing situations.
The user will need some patience operating the chronograph: the pushers need to be pressed with some resolve. The flat, snug crown is surprisingly easy to use and can be pulled out easily with the help of a fingernail. Its deep grooves make it simple to grasp and turn. A quick-date adjustment in the first pulled crown position is another user-friendly featur