2020 Novelties from Girard-Perregaux

26-August: During the Geneva Watch Days, Girard-Perregaux is showing its 2020 Novelties and I have a quick/peek at what has been published until now and my initial views. This post has been written on 25-Aug evening with access to only publicly available information and images and it could well be that more Novelties will be revealed this week and then of course I will also take a look.

So what has happened? Did we see true novelty thus far? Has Girard-Perregaux showed any vision and some clear strategy ahead?

Go back to my “Quo Vadis GP” Reports on my views what is needed.

background/report: Quo Vadis Girard-Perregaux?

background/report: Quo Vadis Girard-Perregaux – a follow up

I’m afraid the answer to the questions is mostly “no”. A new theme “Infinity” has surfaced with glossy black and broze/gold colours and those have been painted over existing models. All have been made Limited Editions and the Laureato is even exclusive to Wempe Retailer.

gp_vintage_1956_infinity_frontgp_1966_infinity_front_alternate_strapgp_laureato_infinity_42mm_front

The “Free Bridge” seems like a new model and seems to pick up from the Neo Bridges, however, on a closer look, it has nothing in common with the Neo Bridges. It comes with a differently decorated GP01800 Caliber with full size rotor and is much closer to the 1966 Place Giradet of the 225th Anniversary than to the Neo Bridges.

gp_free_bridge_infinity_frontgp_free_bridge_back

Only the looks with the 44mm diameter and black materials make it look like it is a close cousin of the Neo Bridges. Of course there is now also a Cosmos Infinity Edition in black/gold colour theme.

So what do I think? First of all, I truly hope to see some real novelties, so let’s wait and see. However, I’m not convinced that the strategy of bringing together Ulysse Nardin and Girard-Perregaux under one leadership, shared manufacturing and service does either brand any good. The “Free Bridge” to me looks like a Ulysse Nardin and not like a Girard-Perregaux. Maybe I’m old school, but it does not convince me. The rest are make-up changes of existing models and frankly not on their favour.

I will come back to more in-depth reviews over the next few weeks once I have digested it a bit more.

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