Girard-Perregaux

There is something indescribably awesome about wearing a world-timer. It may have something to do with the increased functionality of a mechanical timepiece that does much more than just keep the local time (instead of just relying on a smartphone). It may have something to do with the added complexities of the mechanical movement, the design layout of its dial, or the extra crown which operates the internally rotating bezel to cycle through time zones. But for me, I think the awesomeness has more to do with the lifestyle wearing one suggests. It is cool to think of oneself as a man of the world - and having a wristwatch that keeps you appraised of international city times with a quick glance of the wrist gives the feeling that you’ve “made it,” and you know what’s up — everywhere.

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In December, at the international launch for the all new Girard-Perregaux Hawk sport watch collection (which consists of the redesigned Sea Hawk, pictured, the all new Chrono Hawk and the Sea Hawk FOReverglades limited edition), we photographed and discussed the new collection with global CEO, Michele Sofisti.

PW: Why is a sport watch important to a high-end watch brand such as Girard-Perregaux, especially considering they are rarely used in actual sporting events nowadays?

MS: A Sea Hawk can go down 1,000 meters, I doubt that somebody will take it even 10 meters maybe, or 50 meters. It can do it. But it is more a kind of a lifestyle, an expression of your personality.

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FOReverglades Limited Edition Girard-Perregaux Sea Hawk

Last week during Art Basel Miami, Girard-Perregaux hosted an international group of retailers and journalists for the launch of the Hawk collection. The new collection consists of three Sea Hawk timepieces, including the limited edition FOReverglades model, and the all new Chrono Hawk collection. Girard-Perregaux partnered with FOReverglades, an environmentally friendly public art exhibition by international artist William Sweetlove, and artist collective, Cracking Art Group, for Art Week Miami.

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Today Girard-Perregaux announced two new Hawk sport watches: the redesigned Sea Hawk and the all new Chrono Hawk.

The “Sea Hawk” moniker has been used since the creation of this collection in the 1940s to designate especially high water-resistance models. In 2002 the current design was created, with generous case sizes, depth ratings of 1,000 or 3,000 meters and a crown positioned at 4 o’clock for greater comfort.

The new Sea Hawk (pictured below) comes in a 44 mm steel case, has a depth rating of 1,000 meters, a uni-directional dive bezel, a crown positioned at 4 o’clock, integrated crown guard, screwed caseback, helium escape valve and a robust in-house movement. In this regard, the Sea Hawk has not changed much. What has changed, though, is the case design, the dial and the hands. The biggest change being the new case which has straight octagonal edges combined with a round bezel for a very modern look.

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Sofisti holding the new GP DLC Titanium Bi-Axial Tourbillon at Timecrafters. Photo courtesy of Roberta Naas of Atimelyperspective.

(This interview was originally run September 17, 2012 - the image and caption above have been added.)

Michele Sofisti took over as CEO of the Sowind Group last year, after French luxury group PPR took a majority share (50.1%) of Sowind (which consists of Swiss watchmakers Girard-Perregaux and JeanRichard). Since becoming CEO, Sofisti, a watch industry veteran, has publicly indicated that he has plans to further develop Girard-Perregaux and to reposition JeanRichard.

1 - What does being under the financial umbrella of the Gucci group mean to Girard-Perregaux and JeanRichard going forward?

A very, very important move. Most important because it gives a total security of the future, total security for our partners on the industrial side, they know it will be long lasting. Also for our partners in distribution and our retailers. A company that has a bright future in front of it, this is the most important. The second important thing, we entered into a group that is run with a lot of respect from brand history, quality and heritage. This is really very important for a brand like Girard-Perregaux with 210 years of history.

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Today, Girard-Perregaux introduced a new version of the Bi-Axial tourbillon.

Presented in a 45 diameter by 18.5 mm black Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) titanium case, the new Girard-Perregaux Bi-Axial Tourbillon is a nice change for a company with 152 years of traditional watchmaking experience. The movement is as you would expect, of the highest quality and made to traditional watchmaking standards, the case, however, takes on a more avant-garde design. A perfect contrast, blending classic haute horology with a sporty black finish.

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Girard-Perregaux recently introduced a special edition of the ww.tc World Wide Time Control timepiece, the "Dark Night."

The Dark Night is presented in a 43 mm diameter smmoth black ceramic case. It is powered by in-house caliber GP03387, a 63-jewel Swiss automatic movement that beats at 28,800 vph with a power reserve of 46-hours. Functions include hours, minutes, seconds, date, flyback chronograph, 24 time zone world timer and day/night indicator.

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