Here is a first look at something new from the Manufacture at La Chaux-de-Fonds that is Girard-Perregaux:  the new GP Vintage 1945 XXL Chronograph, available in pink gold (Ref. 25883-52-121-BB6C) or steel (Ref. 25883-11-121-BB6C).  Girard-Perregaux’s Vintage 1945 collection is perhaps its most understated and elegant, its modern day versions inspired by the retro forms of one of its Art Deco style watches from 1945.   A variety of versions now represent the vintage 1945 collection and it can be said that this new bi-compax chronograph will represent the line well.   Although there is a 3-register chronograph+date model currently offered, the horizontally aligned, I find that the dual-register layout has a much greater sense of balance and proportion to it and is thus preferrable from a purely aesthetic point of view.  More looks and pricing, below.

36.95 x 36.00 mm pink gold case (12.77mm thick), automatic mechanical GP caliber 3300, on strap or bracelet

A couple subtleties worth noting here:  the two chronograph counters face each other and bring a nice symmetry to piece; the blued steel hands match the central seconds hand, and the dauphine-style hour and minute hands match the applied Arabic numerals.  Note also the the “railroad” minute track.   The case also has a beautiful convex shape to it and there is a sapphire case-back for viewing the in-house caliber which is the automatic mechanical GP 3300 (first introduced last year) with added chronograph mechanics (GP 3300-0064).

The Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 XXL Chrono is priced at $13,300 (steel with leather strap), $14,800 (steel +bracelet).

If you like the Vintage 1945 collection, be sure to see the Vintage 1945 XXL small seconds which was introduced in 2011 and the Vintage 1945 XXL Big Date Moonphase which debuted earlier this year.  You can see the entire Vintage 1945 collection on GP’s website, here.