Girard-Perregaux Traveller moon phases and large date
Angus Davies gets “hands-on”, providing an in-depth review of the Girard-Perregaux Traveller moon phases and large date, a watch exhibiting modern styling but respecting fine craftsmanship synonymous with Swiss watchmaking.
This detailed review of the Girard-Perregaux Traveller moon phases and large date includes live images and specification details.
In 1791, when the haute horlogerie brand Girard-Perregaux came into being, travel was an arduous pursuit. Works of literature depict treacherous journeys across seas. Travelling by horse-drawn coach was often incredibly uncomfortable, owing to poor quality roads.
One of the joyous aspects of modern life is that travel is relatively affordable, comfortable and convenient. The world is a small place courtesy of modern travel. Today’s explorer can easily embrace new sights, smells, tastes and sounds after just a few hours aboard a plane. Delightful discoveries negate prejudice, improve understanding and enhance tolerance of cultures different from our own. Travel confers much benefit to present-day life.
In 2013, Girard-Perregaux launched its new Traveller collection, referencing man’s penchant for navigating the globe. The Traveller ww.tc is a contemporary timepiece featuring a world time complication. It is available in three variants and looks especially handsome in steel with an opaline dial.
Girard-Perregaux Traveller ww.tc
However, the focus of this review is the Girard-Perregaux Traveller moon phases and large date, the other member of the Traveller collection launched simulatenously at Baselworld 2013. It shares the contemporary character of its sibling, the Traveller ww.tc, but delivers alternative functions. A recent “hands-on” encounter with a steel version featuring an opaline dial proved most enlightening and very enjoyable.
The dial
Girard-Perregaux has artistically depicted the earth’s form on the dial. Curving and straight lines portray meridians of longitude and lines of latitude, respectively. The result is an interesting canvas upon which to present the various functions.
The hour and minute hands have an unusual profile, slightly leaf-shaped and exhibiting stylish modernity. Luminescent coating lines the tip of each hand, enhancing visibility in restricted light.
Most hours are depicted with a combination of applied luminous circlets and triangular batons with truncated tips. The latter do not feature in every hour position, sometimes deferring to the indications which occupy these positions.
At noon, the polished letters “GP” stand resplendently proud of the dial surface, sublimely interfacing with light.
Between 4 o’clock and 5 o’clock, a power-reserve indicator denotes the status of the mainspring.
A subdial depicting the moon phase is wonderfully detailed, capturing the beauty of a clear night sky. Encircling the moon-phase is a small seconds display.
Arguably the most notable element to the dial, is the big date. Its large format appears to have been created using only date wheel. However, this is not the case. Ingeniously, Girard-Perregaux has used two discs, one clear, one matt white. The clear disc is used to show numbers 0-9, while the white disc displays one, two, three or nothing, as the prevailing date dictates.
Big dates displays often have a telling line between the two numerals, but in this case Girard-Perregaux has masterfully created a date indication which is absent of any such border.
This illusion is further enhanced by placing the transparent disc in very close proximity to the white disc beneath, hence there is no discernible difference in depth to the naked eye. Moreover, the discs themselves are very thin, measuring only 0.10 mm in depth. Understandably, Girard-Perregaux are very proud of this detail and the company has patented the know-how. The date change is instantaneous, “jumping in 15 milliseconds” to the next value. Notably, the font used is neoteric in design, coalescing perfectly with the modernity exampled elsewhere.
A minute rail adorns the inner flange, augmenting ease of read off.
The case
The case diameter of 44 mm is perfectly in tune with modern tastes. Its scale grants sufficient space for all functions to be presented without the dial appearing cluttered.
Girard-Perregaux has skilfully blended polished and satin-brushed surfaces with stylish aplomb. The bezel sparkles in ambient light courtesy of its polished surface.
The articulated lugs feature satin brush. Interestingly, the lugs draw the strap close to the caseband, with no discernible gap between the strap and case. I particularly like the resultant neatness this grants.
Six screws secure the exhibition caseback which provides a splendid view of the self-winding Manufacture movement within.
The movement
The Girard-Perregaux Movement GP03300-0080 has a frequency of 28,800 vph (4Hz), 35 jewels and a minimum power-reserve of 46 hours.
The oscillating mass is arrow-shaped, oozing modernity. By contrast, traditions have been respected, the bridges are adorned with Côtes de Genève and perlage populates the mainplate. The finishing is of a very high standard, a trait I have come to expect from this prestigious practitioner of haute horlogerie.
Closing remarks
Girard-Perregaux has created a highly legible timepiece with an attractive dial, handsome case and high quality Manufacture movement.
I particularly like the large date which is a magnificent exemplar of innovation, a distinguishing quality which seems to permeate the Girard-Perregaux organisation.
Most notably, this inventive prowess has resulted in Girard-Perregaux recently receiving the GPHG “Aiguille d’Or” award for its breathtaking timepiece, the Constant Escapement L.M. However, there are many examples of this profound creativity within the brand’s collection of models.
Moreover, a further virtue of Girard-Perregaux is the company’s diverse range of models. Some exhibit a traditional mien, like the particularly attractive 1966 Column-wheel chronograph and others, such as the Traveller moon phases and large date are inherently contemporary.
The Girard-Perregaux Traveller moon phases and large date exhibits modernity throughout. The design composition is harmonious and very attractive. It makes a strong case for ownership and would provide the perfect companion for the modern day traveller.
Technical Specification
- Model: Girard-Perregaux Traveller moon phases and large date
- Reference: 49650-11-131-BB6A
- Case: Stainless steel; diameter 44.00 mm; water resistant to 10 bar (100 metres); sapphire crystal to front and caseback.
- Functions: Hours; minutes; small seconds; large date; moon phase indicator; power reserve indocator
- Movement: Girard-Perregaux Movement, GP03300-0080, self-winding movement; frequency 28,800 kph (4Hz); 35 jewels; power reserve 46 hours minimum.
- Strap: Black alligator leather strap supplied on a steel deployant.
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