La Chaux-de-Fonds, October 31st, 2024 (10AM CET) – Girard-Perregaux has always sought to delight its community, creating watches that deliver joy. In 2022, having received many requests, the Manufacture released the Casquette 2.0, a revival of the collectors’ favourite from the 70s, on this occasion, executed in black ceramic and titanium. Now, the Maison is pleased to unveil a cool new iteration of the Casquette 2.0 in titanium featuring an 18K 2N yellow gold GP logo and matching pushers. Recognising the unwavering support of its community, ‘GP owners’ will have preferential access to this latest model, once again a limited edition.
Delivering joy since 1791
Girard-Perregaux celebrates its inventive spirit with a new interpretation of the Casquette design, underscoring its long-standing tradition of playing with unique shapes. This timepiece is a tribute to the bold, innovative designs that have defined the Manufacture for decades, much like the legendary Three Bridges, the iconic Laureato or the Deep Diver with its multi-sided silhouette. Girard-Perregaux continues to showcase its mastery in shaping the future of design in watchmaking while delivering joy to collectors and enthusiasts alike.
A new era in watchmaking
In 1971, Girard-Perregaux launched Switzerland’s first serially produced quartz watch. Its frequency of 32,768 Hz was set by the Manufacture and subsequently adopted as the universal standard for quartz watches. A battery within the watch transmitted an electrical current through a small quartz crystal, creating vibrations that would ultimately orchestrate the display of time. During this period, quartz was widely considered as the future owing to its notable precision.
A year or two later, LED displays emerged, with both computer and watch brands embracing what was considered at the time to be state-of-the-art technology. The hour and minute hands found on traditional mechanical watches were supplanted by bright red Arabic numerals, often brought to life with the press of a pusher. Interestingly, these early LED displays were often housed in a conventionally shaped round watch case and occupied only a small proportion of the dial area available.
Everything changed in 1976 when Girard-Perregaux unveiled a surprising new model that would later be known as the ‘Casquette’. Launched at a time when the world was obsessed with sci-fi blockbusters, the model’s futuristic looks and sharp design were aligned with the widespread public interest for spaceships and time travel. Its contemporary tubular display powered by an in-house quartz calibre and distinctive streamlined case seemed otherworldly and revolutionary. Like the Laureato, the name ‘Casquette’ was a soubriquet conceived by the watch collecting community and was officially adopted by the Maison.
The Casquette returns to the delight of GP lovers
Since its inception, Girard-Perregaux has continuously engaged with watch collectors, on some occasions making bespoke timepieces to satisfy an individual’s personal requirements. It is this approach that is deep-rooted in the brand’s philosophy; a mission to deliver joy through its timepieces, making the customer the focus of everything the Manufacture does. The company often meets collectors in person during events or Manufacture visits and actively engages with its community via social media channels.
In 2022, having received numerous requests from its community, Girard-Perregaux released a new Casquette, the aptly named Casquette 2.0. A revival of the collectors’ favourite from the 70s, closely resembling the original watch of 1976, the Casquette 2.0 incorporated some subtle changes and several useful enhancements. Housed in a black ceramic and titanium case, featuring titanium pushers, the model bore a strong resemblance to the Macrolon-clad original, the undisputed icon of the 70s. Widely considered the cool kids’ watch, the Casquette 2.0 proved a box office sensation.
Mindful of the widespread affection for the Casquette watch among GP’s community, the Manufacture has now created a new variant of the model. Born in 1976, the inaugural Casquette was offered in three case variants: Macrolon, gold plated and steel. This latest model is presented in a Grade 5 titanium case and features 18K 2N yellow gold GP logo and pushers, a nod to its gold plated and steel forbears of the 70s. Reborn in 2024, this latest iteration of the Casquette 2.0 comes supplied on a matching Grade 5 titanium bracelet with a rubber lining, conferring exceptional wearer comfort. The titanium buckle is equipped with a micro adjustment, allowing the wearer to fine tune the sizing of the bracelet to ensure a perfect fit. This latest reference will be the ultimate limited edition with a production run of 820 pieces and, as everyone knows ‘all good things must come to an end’.
The Casquette 2.0 is equipped with the Calibre GP03980, providing additional functions not found on the original model. Indeed, as well as displaying the hours, minutes, seconds, day and date, just like the original, the Casquette 2.0 with its vintage LED display also indicates the month, year, chronograph, second time zone and a secret date. Incidentally, the Calibre GP03980 can be retrofitted to the first generation models from 1976, sidestepping obsolescence and making the Casquette one of the oldest serviceable quartz watches around today. Indeed, Girard-Perregaux never loses sight of its community, continuously looking at ways to deliver joy and customer delight.
Dedicated to GP’s community
GP’s community has been an important ally over the years, conceiving iconic nicknames for collections, sharing their mutual passion for the Manufacture’s engaging timepieces and providing a continuous source of fresh ideas. In recognition of this support and friendship, Girard-Perregaux will give priority to ‘GP lovers’ with an exclusive drop in preview, inviting them to order this latest Casquette 2.0 from October 31st to November 14th. Anyone who owns a Girard-Perregaux watch can gain exclusive priority access through www.girard-perregaux.com and discover where to purchase this new release.
Thereafter, the watch will be available for everyone to buy in a selection of Girard-Perregaux boutiques and authorised retailers.
