AUTHENTIC VINTAGE BWC 2 REGISTERS CHRONOGRAPH GENTS WRISTWATCH

BRAND: RARE COLLECTION ~ AUTHENTIC VINTAGE BWC 2 REGISTERS CHRONOGRAPH  GENTS WRISTWATCH

CIRCA: 1960's

MODEL: 2 REGISTERS CHRONOGRAPH

CRYSTAL: CLEAN ACRYLIC

MOVEMENT: SWISS BWC 17 JEWELS LANDERON CAK.248 CHRONOGRAPH MANUAL WINDING MOVEMENTS

DIAL: BLACK WITH WHITE SUB-REGS

HANDS: LUME GP METAL

MARKERS: RAISED LUMED BATON

CASING : GOLD PLATED TOP and STAINLESS STEEL BACK

MEASUREMENT: 34mm DIAMETER WITHOUT    CROWN AND 38mm LUG TO LUG

CROWN: ORIGINAL CROWN UNSIGNED. BOTTOM PUSHER LOST THE COVER BUT THE PUSHER IS STILL THERE AND FUNCTIONING

STRAP: GENUINE BLACK LEATHER BAND

DISCONTINUED MODEL... VERY RARE AND HARD TO FIND!

WORKING, GOOD CONDITION AND KEEPING TIME, ALL CHRONOGRAPH IS FUNCTIONING AND RESET TO ZERO.   

PRICE : USD500.00 (NEGOTIABLE)

BRIEF HISTORY OF BWC ( Buttes Watch Co.) WATCHES

BWC (Buttes Watch Company) is a small but important watch manufacturer. It was founded in 1924 by Mr. Arthur Charlet in his birthplace, Buttes, found in canton Neuchâtel, Switzerland.The company remains in existence and continues making its presence known with new watches. You can read all about BWC on their website: www.bwc-swiss.de

Charlet’s son-in-law, Mr. Edwin Volkart, took over the company in 1953 and continued to operate it with great attention until 1991. This period in BWC history is its most interesting, at least in regard to vintage chronographs. BWC made made good-quality watches in great stainless steel cases with movements from Lemania, Landeron (48,148,248) and Valjoux (7733, 7734)

Once of the reasons BWC survived the 'quartz crisis' would be its ability to quickly adapt to changing trends and fashions. There are many types of BWC watches in all kinds of shapes and colors, always produced with above-average quality. This high quality helps make BWC watches collectible.

After 1991, BWC's commercial activities were moved to Germany; there were also several changes in ownership. In 2004, BWC was successfully presented at Baselworld, and in 2009, BWC celebrated its 85th anniversary. Below is one of their recent models.

AUTHENTIC VINTAGE BENRUS SQUARE TANQ GENTS DRESS WATCH

BRAND: AUTHENTIC VINTAGE BENRUS SQUARE GENTS WRISTWATCH

MADE IN: SWISS

CIRCA: 1960's

MODEL: Y25 DRESS WATCH

CRYSTAL: ACRYLIC VERY CLEAN, NO CRACKS NO SCRATCHES

MOVEMENT: BENRUS 17JEWELS MANUAL MOVEMENT

DIAL COLOR: GOLD TONE DIAL

FUNCTIONS: HOUR and MINUTE

HANDS: GOLD TONE 

MARKERS: STICK MARKERS

CASING : GOLD PLATED 20 Micron Casing

LUGS: 18mm 

MEASUREMENT: 28mm DIAMETER EXCLUDING CROWN and 32mm LUG TO LUG

BEZEL: GOLD PLATED BEZEL

CASEBACK INSCRIPTION: BENRUS 20 MICRON GOLD ELECTROPLATED

CROWN: ORIGINAL UNIGNED BENRUS CROWNS

STRAP: GP FLEXIBLE STRECH BAND

SIZE STRAP: 9.5" FULL LENGHT

DISCONTINUED MODEL & EXCELLENT CONDITION, KEEPING GOODTIME, NO BOX and NO PAPER but GUARANTEED AUTHENTIC

PRICE: USD120 (NEGOTIABLE)
LISTING USD120 SOLD RM

A BRIEF HISTORY OF BENRUS WATCHES

Although the company went out of business in 1977, large numbers of their well made and dependable fine Benrus watches are available as vintage collectors’ items.

Way back in 1921 three brothers called Oscar, Ralph and Benjamin Lazrus founded the Benrus Watch Company. History doesn’t tell us why Benjamin was the brothers’ name that was chosen but the company name, Benrus, is a combination of the first syllable of his name and the second syllable of their family name. Benrus watches is sometimes mistaken for a Swiss watch making company because early in its history the American owned and operated company leased one floor of factory space from a Swiss owned watch making company that was located in La Chaux de Fonds in Switzerland. Their reason for doing this was to help to circumvent the draconian regulations against the use of Swiss watch movements in foreign time pieces. The earliest models of Benrus watches featured precision movements made by the Schild Company, a well known and established Swiss watch maker. The first watch casings from the Benrus Watch Company are not marked with their brand name due to the Swiss regulations discussed previously.

In the decade of the 1930’s the innovative and creative styling of Benrus watches started to attract quite a following. Their chic designs featured such innovations as cushion watches and rectangular shaped watch casings. It was during this period of time that the Benrus Watch Company first became well known to the American consumer market. The company continued to be known as a leader in style and design in the watch making industry. During the 1940’s they made a range of fine time pieces that are avidly sought after by vintage watch collectors today. Perhaps the most famous of these was the manually winding calendar watch.

Other brands that sold under the Benrus name were 

SOVEREIGN
BELFORTE

In the 1960's through the late 70's, Benrus made military issue watches used by the Army and Navy. These were issued to servicemen fighting in the Vietnam War. 

Early in the 1960's Ben and Ralph Lazrus were in their 70's and ready for retirement. By the mid to late 70's Benrus Incorporated was a diversified manufacturer of a number of consumer products. Companies included: Benrus Watch Co. Watches, Wells, Inc. Jewelry, and Destino, Ltd. - Christian Dior Products. An attempt to consolidate all the various manufacturing enterprises under one roof proved to be a much more expensive move than anyone calculated, and a final blow to the company which subsequently filed bankrupt in 1977.

The company was then sold, and after passing through several more hands, came under the ownership of the Hampden Company, which also owned "Fantasy Diamonds", with factories in both the Virgin Islands and Chicago. An attempt was made to bring back the Benrus brand under Hampden/Fantasy, which was somewhat successful but short lived. Among others, a reissue of Vietnam service watches proved very popular.

AUTHENTIC VINTAGE RICHARD UP DOWN 2 REGISTERS CHRONOGRAPH GENTS WRISTWATCH

BRAND: H AUTHENTIC VINTAGE RICHARD TWO REGISTERS UP DOWN  CHRONOGRAPH GENTS WRISTWATCH

MADE IN: SWISS

CIRCA: 1950's

MODEL:  CHRONOGRAPH 

CRYSTAL: ACRYLIC CRYSTAL 

MOVEMENT:  EXTREMRLY RARE VALJOUX CAL.77 MANUAL 17 JEWELS MOVEMENT

DIAL COLOR: CREAM

FUNCTIONS: 2 REGISTERED CHRONOGRAPH, HOUR, MINUTE, SECOND DIAL AT 6:00 AND 30 MINUTES COUNTER AT 12:00

HANDS:  BLUE METAL LUMED DAUPHINE HANDS

MARKERS: ARABIC MILITARY MARKERS

CASING : BASE METAL TOP AND STAINLESS STEEL BACK

LUGS SIZE: 18mm 

MEASUREMENT:36mm DIAMETER EXCLUDING CROWN 43mm LUG TO LUG 

BACKCASE INSCRIPTION: F RICHARD CHRONOGRAPHE, WATCH CO, STAINLESS STEEL BACK, SHOCK ABSORBER, ANTI MAGNETIC, 41, SERIAL NO 73173

CROWN: UNSIGNED

STRAP: BLACK/BLUE/RED NATO TEXTILE MILITARY BAND

STRAP SIZE: 8.5"

EXCELLENT CONDITION, WORKING, ALL CHRONO WORKS AND RESET TO ZERO. HARD TO FIND

VINTAGE - NO BOX NO PAPER 

PRICE: USD700.00 (NEGOTIABLE) 

AUTHENTIC VINTAGE HELBROS UP DOWN CHRONOGRAPH GENTS WRISTWATCH

BRAND: HELBROS TWO REGISTERS UP DOWN  CHRONOGRAPH GENTS WRISTWATCH

MADE IN: SWISS

CIRCA: 1950's

MODEL:  CHRONOGRAPH 

CRYSTAL: ACRYLIC CRYSTAL 

MOVEMENT:  RARE VENUS CAL.170 MANUAL 17 JEWELS MOVEMENT

DIAL COLOR: YELLOW

FUNCTIONS: 2 REGISTERED CHRONOGRAPH, HOUR, MINUTE, SECOND DIAL AT 6:00 AND 60 MINUTES COUNTER AT 12:00

HANDS: GOLD COLOUR LUME DAUPHINE HANDS

MARKERS: ARABIC WHITE MILITARY MARKERS

CASING : BASE METAL TOP AND STAINLESS STEEL BACK

LUGS SIZE: 18mm 

MEASUREMENT:36mm DIAMETER EXCLUDING CROWN 43mm LUG TO LUG 

BACKCASE INSCRIPTION: FOND ACIER INOXYDABLE, HELBROS WATCH CO, STAINLESS STEEL BACK

CROWN: SS UNSIGNED

STRAP: BLACK/BLUE/RED NATO TEXTILE MILITARY BAND

STRAP SIZE: 8.5"

EXCELLENT CONDITION, WORKING, ALL CHRONO WORKS AND RESET TO ZERO. HARD TO FIND

VINTAGE - NO BOX NO PAPER 

PRICE: USD500.00 (NEGOTIABLE) 

LISTING RM1,500 SOLD RM1,500

BRIEF INFORMATION ON HELBROS WATCHES

I've been doing some research on a Helbros watch . Today Helbros is owned by Jules Jurgensen, they have had the relationship since 1913.  There was history record that Helbros is a New York based company. Elgin Watch was a subdiary of Hebros Watch Co. Elgin Watch Co being organized in Delaware suggests that it is more likely that Elgin was a division Helbros. The Elgin National Watch Company changed it's name to Elgin Industries and stopped making watches in the 1960's. Helbros made some watches themself but were much more of an assembler/marketer than a manufacturer. Because of contract manufacturing you can find vintage Helbos watches from Germany, Switzerland, and even a few from France. I know it's not much but I there isn't much out there.

AUTHENTIC RARE! VINTAGE CITIZEN PARA ALARM DATE GENTS WRISTWATCH

BRAND: CITIZEN

MODEL : PARA ALARM-DATE

MOVEMENT:ALDS51301a-y

ORIGIN: JAPAN
SERIAL NO. : 512118911

CIRCA: 1970's

CASING: SOLID STAINLESS STEEL

MOVEMENT: CITIZEN 21 JEWELS MANUAL MOVEMENT
DIAL: BLACK
HANDS: SILVER TONE ARROW LUMINOUS
BEZEL: SS

MARKINGS: DIAL,BACK CASING, BARCELET BANDS

BAND: GENUINE BLACK LEATHER BAND
CROWN: ORIGINAL CITIZEN CROWN
LUGS SIZE: 20mm
BAND WIDTH: 20mm

LENS: HARDLEX MINERAL

MEASUREMENT: 44mm X 47mm LUG TO LUG
WATER RESISTANT: -

CONDITION: GOOD, WORKING AND KEEPING TIME
PRICE: SOLD (TO AMCORP MALL MEMBER)

BRIEF HISTORY OF CITIZEN WATCHES

Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd. (シチズンホールディングス株式会社, Shichizun Hōrudingusu Kabushiki-gaisha) is the core company of a Japanese global corporate group based in Tokyo Japan. The company was originally founded as Shokosha Watch Research Institute in 1918 and is currently known as the manufacturer of CINCOM precision lathe machine tools as well as CITIZEN watches. The trade name originated from a pocket watch CITIZEN sold in 1924. It is one of the world's largest producers of watches. For almost eight decades, Citizen has been ahead of its time. Citizen brand has always stood for innovations and high precision that make life better for everyday people and now they are raising their sights to meet the needs of the new Millennium.
In 1924, when Citizen's forerunner, the Shokosha Watch Research Watch Institute produced its first pocket watch the "CITIZEN". The then Mayor of Tokyo, Mr Shimpei Goto, named the watch "CITIZEN" with the hope that the watch, a luxury item of those times, would become widely available to ordinary citizens and be sold throughout the world.
Time and again Citizen has pioneered groundbreaking technologies and helped to make watches an indispensable part of modern life. Introduced in 1956, Parashock was the first shock resistant watch made by a Japanese manufacturer. And three years later, Parawater was hailed as the country's first water resistant watch.
One of the latest milestones is our Eco-Drive system. Bringing new thinking to the art of watchmaking, this is a light powered solution that eliminates the need to change batteries - a revolution that made it the first watch technology to receive the Japan Environment Association's Eco Mark for environmentally friendly products.
And in 2003, Citizen continues to evolve and be ahead of its time with the launch of Stiletto. This is the World's thinnest light powered watch - a watch so revolutionary it combines eco-drive technology with a refined, sleek and sophisticated case and bracelet from 4.4mm thick.
Citizen is, however more diverse then simply watches. In fact watches only represent less than 40% of the company's business. Today Citizen is drawing on a heritage of proven quality and technologies as we develop the market for watches, clocks, jewellery, eyeglass frames and health care products.

RARE COLLECTION AUTHENTIC VINTAGE ZODIAC SEAWOLF GENTS DIVER WRISTWATCH

BRAND: A RARE COLLECTION AUTHENTIC VINTAGE ZODIAC SEAWOLF GENTS DIVER WRISTWATCH

MADE IN: SWISS

CIRCA: 1970's

MODEL: ZODIAC SEAWOLF

CRYSTAL: HARDENED ACRYLIC

MOVEMENT: ZODIAC 21 JEWELS AUTOMATIC MOVEMENT CAL. 72B

DIAL COLOR: BLACK

FUNCTIONS: - HOUR, MINUTE, SWIPE CENTER AND DATE

HANDS: LUMINOUS WHITE ARROW HANDS

MARKERS: BATON/TRIANGLE MARKERS

CASING: SOLID STAINLESS STEEL with GREY BAKELITE BEZEL

HIDDEN LUGS: 18mm

MEASUREMENT: 35mm DIAMETER EXCLUDING CROWN and 41mm LUG TO LUG

CASEBACK INSCRIPTION: ZODIAC LOGO, ANTI MAGNETIC~WATER RESISTANT~SHOCK RESISTANT

CROWN: SIGNED ZODIAC LOGO SS CROWN

STRAP: NEW OLD STOCK GENUINE TROPIC STAR RUBBER BAND

SIZE STRAP/SAIZ TALI: 8.5"

EXCELLENT CONDITION, WORKING, KEEPING TIME, DISCONTINUED MODEL & VERY RARE AND VERY HARD TO FIND

      PRICE: USD750.00 (NEGOTIABLE/BOLEH DIRUNDING)

History of Zodiac Wathes

Bowman said that Ariste Calame (1839-1917) first set up a workshop in 1864 in Cret-Vaillant The watch company was founded in 1882 by Ariste Calame. The original name of the company was Ariste Calame. It was a small workshop. A 1990 as said the began to specialize in sports watches. The name "Zodiac" was used early but was not registered until 1908. The founder’s son, Louis Ariste Calame, was sent to watchmaking school and then began to participate in the business in 1895. Under his direction the business Calame, took over the business that year. Members of the family given Bourdin are shown below.

Bowman said that the company gave up being a subcontractor for FAVREPERRET and became an exporter. In 1908-1911 it made its own calibers and employed about 50.

The company was listed in 1920 as Ariste Calame fils (the first Ariste Calame had died in 1917.) See ad below . In 1923 it was listed as Ariste Calame: Montres Zodiac, with wrist watches for men and pocket watches, plus an ad.

ZODIAC was imported in 1924 by the Eisenstadt Mfg. CO., St. Louis, MO.

Rene Calame, grandson of the founder joined the company and made commercial and technical changes. His father, the younger Ariste Calame, became one of the founder Presidents of the Federation Horlogere.

Bowman said the Zodiac-Sport was introduced; it was a 10 ½ ligne hermetic watch, not a table clock, in a leather-covered case, that could be opened and closed with one hand.

The company was listed in 1933-1935 in Le Locle and Geneva. The listings were accompanied by pictures of wrist watches labeled "unbreakable."

The Grace model was listed in 1940 and 1966.

The company exhibited at Basle in 1949 with the Datagraphic, a 12-ligne calendar with the moon phases, and the Autographic self-wind with visible power reserve indicator. A 1949 ad from the Zodiac Watch Agency, New York, for the Autographic called it a "new self-winding watch with a power reserve gauge." Fischer discussed this watch that year and so did SHJ in January, 1950. (See Up Down) The company exhibited again at Basle in 1950. An ad in 1950 was again for the self-winding. Autographic with up-and-down indicator.

During the last year of his life the son, Ariste Calame, organized and set up a new factory building in Le Locle which was opened in 1951.

The company was listed in 1951. Zodiac was listed by Quick Fit in 1952 as an American import using movements by ETA, A. SCHILD, LIENGME, and FONT.

A 1953 ad was for the Autographic, "famous for Reserve Power Gauge, amazing rotor action, automatic."

A 1955 ad from the ZODIAC WATCH AGENCY, New York ( a division of Edward Trauner Inc.) said " The world’s most modern watch," referring to the ZODIAC Autographic, which sold for 71.50 in a stainless case, 89.50 in a gold-filled case. It was a self-wind with a power reserve power gauge, 17 jewels, water and shock resistant, anti-magnetic, unbreakable crystal, radium dial, with a sweep seconds. It was the official watch of the Swiss Federal Railways.

The second Ariste Calame died in 1955, aged 80. He was then president of the Board of Director of the company (JSH). (See A Death in the Family.)

ZODIAC was imported to the UK in 1959 by E.A. Combs, London, and again in 1963 by E.A. Combos Clocks Ltd.

A 1966 ad in the Los Angeles Times was for the Barrister wrist, Cal. 1305, in 14K gold, for $200.

The company was listed in 1966 as ZODIAC SA.

The company exhibited at Basle in 1972 with a wrist watch with a dial of the same gold texture as the bracelet.

There was a two-page ad in Modern Jeweler, October 1972, for ZODIAC, illustrating the SST Astographic which had no hands; instead, two revolving satellites and a red moon indicated the time. SST meant "Split Second Timing. The watch was an automatic and calendar, shock and water-resist. The ad said "Americans best selling underwater watch…..Astographic introduced one year ago….no hands styling….talking display box." This watch was imported to the US in 1972 by Edward Trauner Inc. "largest importer of chronographs."

There was an ad in 1973 for the SST Astographic.

The company was listed in 1973 with a battery-operated watch and Tidy.

In 1974 AH&J illustrated ZODIAC’s new diving watch, the Super Sea Wolf, pressurized to 2500 feet, with a bezel for elapsed time read-outs. In 1974 the company also introduced an LCD and new models, slim wrist watches in yellow gold, the man’s a self wind.

The company was listed in 1975 with Rotomatic and six new calibers.

In 1979 MONTRES ZODIAC SA was listed as part of the GROUPE DIXIMECHANIQUE .

Fried said in 1984 that ZODIAC-CALAME CO. owned the Guardsman label making Time Recorders, and that movements for them were made by the RECTA WATCH CO.

In 1990 the address of the ZODIAC-CALAME COMPANY was care of PAUL BUHRE in Le Locle but the ZODIAC WATCH COMPANY was still in New York. In the 1990’s ZODIAC watches were being produced by ZODIAC SA in Neuchatel.

A watch was placed in the Arthur Collection at the NAWCC Museum marked "Ariste Calame."

HARD TO FIND AUTHENTIC SEIKO DIVER 6105-8000 GENT WRISTWATCH

BRAND : VERY RARE SEIKO 6105-8000 GENTS WRISTWATCH FOR DIVERS

MODEL : 6105-8000

MOVEMENT : 6105A AUTOMATIC 21JEWELS CHRONOGRAPH

ORIGIN : JAPAN

SERIAL NO. : 8510170

CIRCA : MAY 1968

CASING: SOLID STAINLESS STEEL

MOVEMENT : SEIKO AUTOMATIC 21 JEWELS

DIAL:  BLACK new

BEZEL: BLACK with WHITE LUMED MARKER

MARKINGS: DIAL, BACK CASING, MOVEMENT

BAND : TROPIC STYLE RUBBER BAND

LUGS SIZE: 20mm

BAND WIDTH: 20mm

CRYSTAL: HARDLEX MINERAL

MEASUREMENT : 40mm X 42mm LUG TO LUG

WATER RESISTANT: 150 METERS

CONDITION: MINT, EXCELLENT WORKING CONDITION AND KEEPING TIME.

PRICE: PERSONAL COLLECTION (WILLING TO LET GO FOR USD700)

Brief Information on Seiko 6105
Seiko has a rich history in the world of dive watches, and it’s safe to say that none is as iconic as the venerable Seiko 6105-8110/9 (aka 6105-811X). It is the definitive Seiko diver, and it holds it’s own against the other iconic divers of the 1970′s. This is known as Seiko’s 3rd generation diver, following the 6217 (aka 62mas) and the slimmer 6105-8000/9. The 6105-8110 and 6105-8119 are exactly the same, but the last digit in the reference number indicates in which market the watch was originally sold.

The 6105-800X was made from 1965-1975, and came in two slight variations. The early models from 1960 were labeled “water 150m proof” on the dial, and “waterproof” on the case back. At some point later that year, they changed the text to “water 150m resist” with “water resistant” on the back. This was inline with a change in nomenclature throughout the Seiko offerings. The “proof/proof” models are fairly rare, and command a definite premium over the “resist/resist” models.

The build quality and finishing is exceptional, and definitely on par with other hi-end divers of the same period, like the Omega Seamaster 300 and the Rolex Submariner. Seiko was, and still is, a true manufacture, making everything in-house. Not only was the movement in-house, but Seiko even made their own oils, cases, crystals and such. The 6105 was a very popular choice with US military servicemen in the Vietnam war era, and was available from the PX stores (retail stores found on United States military installations) for soldiers. It was also famously worn by Martin Sheen’s character, Captain Willard, in the Vietnam war movie 'Apocalypse Now'

AUTHENTIC GIRRARD PERREGAUX FERRARI LTD EDITION CHRONOGRAPH GENTS WRISTWATCH

We bring you this rare bird, the iconic Girard-Perregaux Ferrari Chronograph ref. 8020. This watch is the result of the defunct collaboration between the manufacture and the sports auto maker between 1994 and 2004. This watch fitted with a 38 mm stainless steel case, a carbon fiber dial, is in my opinion the best example of the long gone true to the essence 'Ferrari Watches'. Other iterations of this watch include aluminum and titanium cases. The limited edition F1-047 or F1-048 models feature aluminum cases made out of the monobloc of Ferrari F1s. The Girard-Perregaux Ferrari Chronographs fitted with titanium cases present the engraving 'Ti No. XXXX' on the case back while the stainless steel cases usually don't have any preceding letters before the case numbers or in certain instances as in this one the prefix 'MA' before the case number.

BRAND: GAUTHENTIC GIRARD PERREGAUX 3 REGISTERS CHRONOGRAPHGENTS WRISTWATCH

MADE IN: SWISS

CIRCA: 2004

MODEL: 8220

CRYSTAL: SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL - CLEAN

MOVEMENT: SWISS GIRARD PERREGAUX MILITARY 25 JEWELS AUTOMATIC CHRONOGRAPH MOVEMENT

DIAL COLOR: BLACK CARBON FIBRE

FUNCTIONS: HOUR, MINUTE & CENTER SECOND, 3 REGISTERS CHRONOGRAPH FOR HOUR AND MINUTE

HANDS: GOLD LUMINOUS SWORD HANDS

MARKERS: LUMINOUS ARABIC MILITARY 

CASING: SOLID MATTE SANDBLASTED STAINLESS STEEL CASING

LUGS: 20mm

MEASUREMENT: 38mm DIAMETER w/o CROWN and 42mm LUG TO LUG

BACK CASE MARKING: n FERRARI LOGO, GIRARD-PERREGAUX, A No9735, REF.8020, Manufacturé Spécialement pour FERRARI

CROWN: ORIGINAL FERRARI LOGO CROWN

STRAP: GENUINE NEW OLD STOCK BLACK TEXTILE MILITARY STRAP

STRAP SIZE: 8.5"

DISCONTINUED MODEL, FULLY WORKING CHRONOGRAPH, KEEPING TIME.  NO BOX NO PAPER BUT GUARANTEED AUTHENTIC 

PRICE: USD4,850 (NEGOTIABLE)

BRIEF INFORMATION ON GIRRARD PERREAGSUX FERRARI WATCHES
Back in the late ’90s and early ’00s, Girard-Perregaux produced a line of watches with official Scuderia Ferrari branding. Unlike the most recent incarnations of Ferrari watches, these were subtle and very tasteful – so subtle that some of them do not even in fact carry any Ferrari branding anywhere on the watch.

THE BRIEF HISTORY OF GIRARD PERREGAUX WATCH

The history of this prestigious Swiss manufacturer can be traced back to Jean-Francois Bautte, the famous Geneva watchmaker. Though orphaned at a very young age, the young man confronted life with determination. In 1791, by the time he was nineteen, Jean-Francois Bautte had learnt several trades, acquired the education which his modest background had denied him, and begun making his first watches. It would not be long before his name became familiar to the royal courts of Europe. A master watchmaker of rare talent, Jean-Francois Bautte was also an astute "industrialist" and businessman with a brilliant, imaginative and generous character. He is credited with creating the first genuine ultra-thin watches and the truly visionary concept of the Manufactory as a producer of high-quality timepieces.

Unfortunately, Jean-Francois Bautte did not have a successor or heir to take over his company when he retired. The problem of what to do with the company was quickly solved when a merger was arranged with another watch manufacturer. In 1854, Constantin Girard married Marie Perregaux. As both came from watchmaking backgrounds, it seemed perfectly natural to use both names when they formed their own company. So it was that the Girard-Perregaux brand was born, in 1856.

More than just a famous watchmaker, Constantin Girard was also a patriot committed to the republican cause and always ready to devote time and energy to his beloved town of La Chaux-de-Fonds. Only a few years were needed to establish a reputation that spread as far as the New World. His technical and aesthetic masterpiece, the "Tourbillon Sous Trois Points d'Or" (translation: Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges), was unquestionably the greatest achievement of a life largely devoted to the research and development of the art of watchmaking. This amazing pocket watch won Girard-Perregaux two gold medals at the Paris Universal Exhibitions in 1867 and 1889, and is considered one of the most desirable mechanical watches ever made.

The tradition of innovation initiated by Jean Francois Bautte has been perpetuated to the present day by Girard-Perregaux. Throughout its long history, the Manufactory has made a number of exciting and innovative contributions to the world of watchmaking. Foremost among these is the concept of the wristwatch. Although a few pocket watches had already been modified to be worn on the wrist, Girard-Perregaux was the first watchmaker to produce this kind of timepiece in a series, around 1880.

In addition, Girard-Perregaux has developed several revolutionary movements, the most notable of which have been the Gyromatic, the high-frequency mechanical movement that has become collectible in their own right, as well as the quartz movement, whose frequency of 32,768 Hertz has become the universally accepted standard. In fact, it was Girard-Perregaux's innovations in the realm of quartz timekeeping that allowed it to survive the Swiss watch industry's economic crisis during the 1970's and 1980's.

Although Girard-Perregaux did not thrive during the 1970's and early 1980's, unlike other Swiss watch companies, Girard-Perregaux not only survived fully intact, but emerged even stronger than before and fiercely determined to continue producing high-quality mechanical timepieces using in-house movements. At a time when many prestigious Swiss companies were looking to outside suppliers for their raw movements, Girard-Perregaux simply would not compromise quality to improve the bottom line.

The company's massive efforts to upgrade their factory, while training a new generation of master watchmakers to produce the highest quality wristwatches, was clearly a gamble but one which paid off handsomely when consumers re-discovered the pleasures of wearing traditionally hand-finished mechanical timepieces.

Girard-Perregaux's master watchmakers continued their efforts in the early 1980's. After extensively studying an original model acquired at auction, the watchmakers revived the expertise, which had originally created the Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges pocket watch. To make a replica of this marvel, however, they had to think in modern terms and re-design all the components. Although computers would prove helpful in the design phase, the watchmakers nonetheless had to re-learn all the traditional crafts and skills that had died along with the masters.

In 1991, on the occasion of its 200th anniversary, the company achieved the amazing feat of adapting the technology of the Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges to a wristwatch version. Several variations have been produced since then. These watches, which are completely handmade in Girard-Perregaux's workshops, are amazing works of mechanical art, and the Three Bridges, which are cast in solid gold, are stunningly beautiful to behold. Some six to eight months of continuous work are needed to produce such a watch, with the House's most talented senior watchmakers meticulously crafting each component by hand, assembling the movement, testing the complicated mechanism and finally casing up the completed movement in a massive gold or platinum case. As of this writing, only 20 such Tourbillon wristwatches have been produced to date.

Needless to say, watch lovers around the world quickly took notice of the company's amazing comeback, and the company capitalized even further on its newfound success by obsessively dedicating itself to the production of wristwatches of the highest quality at extremely competitive prices. Moreover, in 1993, Girard-Perregaux signed a co-branding arrangement with the celebrated Italian car manufacturer, Ferrari, which has yielded a remarkable line of sporty chronographs.

Along with the Ferrari chronographs, the company's other popular models include the Vintage Men's automatic, which features an in-house Girard-Perregaux 3000 self-winding calibre; the Chronograph 9000, featuring a refined self-winding movement which can be viewed through a sapphire-crystal back; and the Olympic Chrono 1992, which boasts an in-house Girard-Perregaux chronograph movement.

In summary, Girard-Perregaux offers one of the highest quality wristwatches available in the contemporary watch marketplace. Best of all, these watches can be obtained at very favorable prices for collectors.