Introducing: The Girard-Perregaux 1966 Dual Time, A User-Friendly And Cost-Friendly Travel Companion

March 18, 2016

When Girard-Perregaux released their 1966 Dual Time in 2014, we applauded their efforts for making a gorgeous, and very wearable, travelers watch. The only criticism it received was its high price point, dictated by the precious metal it was made in. Two years later, its back, and were happy to announce its being offered in stainless steel, for $10,500.Girard-Perregaux has paired the 40 mm steel case with a clean white dial, an option which was already available with the rose-gold version. Its a very sound decision by all accounts. Some tweaks have been made to increase the legibility of the dial, and overall this years model looks a lot more conventional than the original. It presents a serious challenge to the Chronomtrie Dual Time from Montblanc, another handsome and reasonably priced dual time in stainless steel. However, the GP presents a very intuitive quickset function for the local time, controlled by pushers at 2 and 4 oclock, while home time is set traditionally via the crown at 3 oclock. Its an incredibly user-friendly interpretation of the dual time, which were not complaining about.The hands of the new 1966 Dual Time are now universally leaf-shaped and made in solid stainless steel, including the red home-time hand. The hour markers are slimmer, no longer connected by a railroad-style minute track, and the date display C which is controlled by the corrector at 8 oclock C now sits fully on top of the 24-hour center ring at 6 oclock. Oddly enough, these minor adjustments combine to create a watch that feels more appropriate for evening wear, even if its no longer made with the previous metal usually reserved for such occasions.The new Dual Time once again runs on the manufacture built GP03300-0119, an automatic movement that beats at 4Hz. Its beautifully finished C combining perlage and Geneva stripes well C and it's put forward nicely through a sapphire case back. The Girard-Perregaux 1966 Dual Time comes on a black alligator strap with a steel pin buckle, and is available from $10,500.Case, 40 mm, stainless steel; Movement, Calibre GP03300-0119, manufacture made, self-winding, 28,800 vph (4 Hz), 46-hour power reserve, Functions, central seconds, second time zone 24 hours, date. More information on Girard-Perregaux here. Follow us during Baselworld on HODINKEE Live, available on desktop, mobile, or in the free HODINKEE app for iOS.