Girard Perregaux age determination based on known serial numbers and models - Deep Diver, Gyromatik, Laureato, HF, WW.TC, Sea Hawk
Girard Perregaux, founded in 1790 by Henri-Francois Perregaux
Quick overview: Girard-Perregaux (GP)
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Founded: 1791 (officially as GP from 1856)
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Location: La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland
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Known for:
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Tourbillon with three gold bridges (from 1867)
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High-frequency caliber (36,000 A/h, 1966)
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Since GP did not officially release the series, information is based on collector data and GP archives:
| Serial number (approx.) | Estimated timeframe | Notes / typical models |
|---|---|---|
| < 100,000 | before 1910 | Pocket watches, completely handcrafted |
| 100,000 – 250,000 | 1910 – 1945 | Pocket watches & early wristwatches, 15–17 rubies |
| 250,000 – 450,000 | 1945 – 1960 | Classic hand-wound watches (Senator, Gyromatic early models) |
| 450,000 – 600,000 | 1960 – 1970 | “Gyromatic” automatic models, Cal. GP 31xx |
| 600,000 – 850,000 | 1970 – 1980 | Gyromatic HF (High Frequency 36,000 A/h), Chronometer HF |
| 850,000 – 1,000,000 | 1980 – 1990 | Quartz & mechanical reissues – transition period |
| 1,000,000 + | 1990s – today | GP 7000 / 9000 / 3300 / GP Caliber 0100 etc. |
Caliber development and the resulting construction time
| Caliber (movement) | Construction period | Typical model |
|---|---|---|
| GP 30 / 32 Gyromatic automatic | 1957 – 1970 | “Gyromatic 36,000 A/h” |
| GP Gyromatic HF (High Freq. 36,000 A/h) | 1966 – 1974 | Chronometer HF / Sea Hawk HF |
| GP Quartz Cal. 352 / 350 | 1971 – 1980 | Quartz Chronometer |
| GP Cal. 3000 / 3100 / 3300 | from 1994 | Manufactured automatic |
| GP Cal. 1966 / 9900 | from 2006 | “1966 Chronometer”, Laureato Manufactory |
| GP Cal. GP01800 / GP03300 | from 2015 | Latest Laureato / Bridge models |
Dating according to design and engraving
| feature | Time period |
|---|---|
| “Girard Perregaux Chronometer HF 36000” on the dial | late 1960s – early 1970s |
| “Gyromatic 17 Rubis / 25 Jewels” | 1950–1970 |
| “Quartz Chronometer by GP” (usually rectangular) | 1970–1980 |
| “Laureato” (integrated band) | from 1975 – today |
| “GP Manufacture” on rotor, open viewing floor | from 1995 |
| Bird logo “Bridge” on rotor | after 2005 |
| "Laureato 42 Infinity Edition" / Large display case back | after 2020 |
How to determine the age of your GP watch
1. 🔧 Check serial number / caliber
Girard-Perregaux developed many of its own calibers. Depending on the caliber, the age can be estimated quite accurately:
| caliber | Period |
|---|---|
| Manual winding Cal. 03 / 04 / 07 | 1940s–50s |
| Automatic GP 32A, 33A | 1960s |
| HF Caliber 32A (36,000 A/h) | from 1966 |
| GP 350 / 352 / 353 | 1970s (Quartz) |
| GP 3000 / 3100 / 3300 | from 1994 |
| GP 1800 / 1900 Series | 2000s–present |
Identify model type
| Model name | Period |
|---|---|
| Gyromatic | ca. 1957–1970s |
| HF (High Frequency) | from 1966 |
| Laureato | from 1975 (with quartz), relaunch 1995 & 2016 |
| Vintage 1945 | from about 1995 |
| WWTC (World Time) | 2000s |
| Sea Hawk | 1940s, relaunch 2000s |
Typical clue: If "Gyromatic" is written on the dial → watch dates from 1957–1970s
"Laureato" in a 1970s case = first generation from 1975 (mostly quartz)
Analyze design style
| Design feature | Typical decade |
|---|---|
| Small seconds, enamel dial | 1930s–50s |
| Automatic movement, Dauphine hands | 1950s–60s |
| GP logo with arrow, HF indication | from 1966 |
| Integrated steel case (Laureato) | 1970s |
| Art Deco style (vintage 1945) | 1990s–2000s |
| Complications (e.g. WWTC) | 2000s–2010s |
The following information can be used to determine the age of a piece based on historical serial numbers, events, or chronographs with a known year of manufacture:
Year of manufacture, serial number
Circa 1847 8811 Silver pocket watch for the English market
Circa 1855 13131 small marine chronometer with gimbal suspension
Circa 1855, 13171 pocket chronometers submitted for chronometer testing
1860 14133 marine chronometer submitted for chronometer testing
1861 14134 Marine Chronometer submitted for chronometer testing
1868 46363 Savonnette 46mm x 13mm, piston tooth escapement, side anchor
1880 87319 Pocket Chronometer with Chamberlein escapement and three-bridge movement
1882 88158 Pocket watch chronograph crown winding
1885 94840 Chronograph with movement ebauche by LeCoultre
1905 302216 Ladies' Silver Watch
Around 1928, the trademark rights were sold to Mimo for 30,000 Swiss francs.
Until the 1950s, identical watch models existed under the brands Mimo and Girard Perregaux; afterwards, the focus shifted back to strengthening the export brand Girard Perregaux. Serial numbers during this period are not comparable or traceable.
1934 Chronograph, Cal Valjoux CHP, manual winding, hinged bracelet
1935 257721 18K Ladies' Ring Watch
In 1939, 30,000 pocket watches were delivered to Shell Motor Oil Company; the serial number is unknown; the movement was a combination of AS-1054 and AS-1076 movements.
1938 - 1945 Service watches for the Wehrmacht by Mimo, no serial numbers issued
1941 Universal Geneve caliber 281, 2 sub-dials
1942 Universal Geneve Cal. 281, 17 jewels, manual winding, 3 subsidiary dials
1946 Universal Geneve Caliber 285, hand-wound
1948 Gyromatik by Girard Perregaux, no serial numbers known
1948 Aero Compax, Kal 285, hand-wound, 4 sub-dials
1950 356232 Serial number of a civilian version of the Mimo service watch Wehrmacht
1950 Chronograph, Universal Caliber 281, 17 jewels, manual winding
1950 Chronograph, Caliber Excelsior Park 04, manual winding, stainless steel
1950 70070855 Mimomatic
1952 Aero Compax Universal geneve caliber 285, 17 jewels, stainless steel
1954 Chronograph Cal 34-0145, chrome-plated metal, full calendar
1954 Chronograph Tricompax, Universal cal 287, 14K Gold, Full Calendar + Moon Phase
1955 Chronograph Valjoux Cal 72C, gold-plated, full calendar
1968 Chronograph, Valjoux Caliber 72, manual winding
1991 CP Cal 800/014, 39 jewels, 18K gold, date automatic
1992 Chronometer, 18K Gold, Valjoux Cal 7750, Moon Phase
1992 Chronometer Cal 800/014, 39 jewels, automatic, date, 3 subdials
1993 Chronograph Mod. 7001 Ref. 7700, quartz movement, 22 jewels, date
Source: faszination-uhrwerk.de / Hans Weil Berlin, Wolfgang Salm "Wristwatches"
