The Zegna family and the Macaluso family – A Beautiful Parntership for a Watch

The Ermenegildo Zegna Centennial Limited Edition Watch, as manufactured by Girard-Perregaux

To celebrate its 100th anniversary, the prestigious Italian brand Ermenegildo Zegna is launching a limited edition watch in partnership with another prestigious brand, Girard-Perregaux.  What can I say except that this collaboration yielded a beautiful outcome,as you can see below.  And here’s an interesting fact you may not have known:  Angelo Zegna, the father of the founder Ermenegildo, was a watchmaker by trade.  In keeping with Zegna’s Centennial celebration, only 100 pieces will be made.  The watch has a rose gold case and is 40mm in diameter, with date, small seconds, and month functions.  The overall design appears to be out of GP’s “1966″ collection, in fact it is very similar though not quite as complicated as GP’s 1966 Annual Calendar and Equation of Time watch (ref: 49538-52-131-BK6A ).

Quite interesting to see Girard-Perregaux completely relinquish the dial to the Ermenegildo Zegna name, though I think that whe watch looks great with the Ermenegildo Zegna logo on it.  I don’t think this could have turned out much better as it seems to be a perfect representation of my perception of both brands – timeless, luxurious, high quality.  Now, where to get one?  The watch is to be available exclusively in the Top 20 Ermenegildo Zegna flagship stores worldwide.

Note the “EZ” etched crown (below)

Technical specifications

Reference: 49537

Case: Pink gold case

Diameter: 40 mm,  Height: 10.74 mm

Sapphire case-back adorned with the Ermenegildo Zegna centenary logo

Water resistance: 30 metres

Girard-Perregaux 3300-0042 automatic mechanical movement

Functions: Hour, minute, small second, annual calendar

Power reserve: minimum 46 hours

Alligator strap with clasp buckle adorned with the Ermenegildo Zegna logo

Limited and numbered edition of 100 pieces

The new 2010 version of the “Tourbillon with three gold Bridges” features bridges in an openworked design as a tribute the the original design of the three bridges by Constant Girard-Perregaux (founder of the brand) in 1860.  The watch is in pink gold with a 41mm diameter.  It houses a GP 9600C self-winding mechanical movement with 48 hour power reserve.  Comes on a black alligator strap with deployant buckle.  Limited to 50 pieces.

Here’s a first look at what Girard-Perregaux will be unveiling at SIHH 2010 – the 1966 Chronograph.  The modestly sized 40mm case houses a column-wheel chronograph (a GPo3oCo automatic movement) with a 36 hour power reserve.  This particular model will be available in white gold and rose gold (pictured), and will sell for around $25,000.

The Girard Perregaux 1966 Collection was launched in 2006.  I think that some of GP’s best watches now come under the banner of this collection.  Still, for that kind of money, there are a lot of other watches that I would also be thinking about!  Anyway….here it is:

Rose Gold – Reference No. 49539-53-151-BK6A