Let’s have a closer look at a more popular neo-vintage Girard-Perregaux, the pour Ferrari Chronograph 8020. Probably one of the models with the highest production numbers yet still a bit controversial. Co-branding has never been a great favour among collectors, unless they turned cult like the Domino’s Pizza Rolex.
There certainly has been an inflation or should I say hyper-inflation of co-branded watches, especially with cars. GP recently did that with Aston Martin, who before was in bed with Jaeger-LeCoultre, now Ferrari teams with Richard Mille, but had also done co-branding with Hublot and F.P. Journe. The list goes on and there seems to be a wild mixing and matching as long as the dollars come in.
You can read more about the full background about Girard-Perregaux and its Ferrari connection in my previous post:
I want to focus on the Chronograph 8020 here. While there have been many dial/case/colour combinations, a few stand out and I truly think the steel case with neon-yellow dial is a special one. First of all, you do not see yellow dials that often and secondly, at least for me, this is a real summer watch with sunshine vibes on the wrist. While the dial is what makes this Chronograph quite unique, what I really like is the case of the Reference 8020. With 38mm it is modestly sized but has a lot of presence due to its complex case shape.
The same case was used on the non-Ferrari version 8021 as well. The sides are rounded and polished with the bezel sitting on top, slightly sticking over the case. The top of the bezel has satin finish with again a thin polished ring on top that seems to hold the sapphire crystal in place. I could look at it all day and find something new and interesting again and again.
The yellow dial with black ring subdials and white subdial hands is very well combined. The main hands are sporty with a lot of lume as you would want it on a sports chronograph. The Prancing horse is prominent at 12 while “Girard-Perregaux” is almost hiding in small print above the subdial. I have both the original steel bracelet and the original black Kevlar strap. There was also a black Kevlar strap with matching yellow stitching, maybe one day I will find one.
The movement is ETA-based with Dubois-Depraz Chronograph module. Works very reliably and is almost unbreakable. This overall is a very original looking Chronograph, a conversation starter with great history and that link to one of the most famous brands there is. Best of all, this can be an easy entry into watches as you can still find them at a reasonable price range.