When it comes to collecting vintage watches, a world full of opportunities opens up, catering to different types of needs in a way that allows many enthusiasts to start a thematic collection. However, the focus often tends to be exclusively on a few better-known brands, neglecting others that, while boasting prominent production and a prestigious history, do not receive the same consideration from the general public.
Into this scenario comes Girard-Perregaux, a watchmaker with a long tradition behind it and several models that have become authentic icons of the watch industry. In addition to its most famous references, the brand also boasts a number of less-known, but equally fascinating watches that can be a great discovery for new collectors looking for unique pieces steeped in history.
In this article we want to focus on a particular series of Girard-Perregaux watches produced in the 1960s, characterized by hand-painted dials. A detail that not only makes each one unique, but also testifies to the craftsmanship and attention to detail that have always distinguished the brand. Let’s discover together the peculiarities of this fascinating collection.
The features of Ref. 9034 Girard-Perregaux
The Girard Perregaux 9034 was produced from 1967 until about 1976. It is a watch with a round case 34 mm in diameter and square lines, designed to be water-resistant. The robust and compact design made it a versatile model, suitable for both everyday use and more formal situations.
The movement featured inside the Girard Perregaux 9034 was the caliber GP 12.3, a hand-wound time only. In most configurations, the watch exclusively indicated hours and minutes by means of two central hands, but some variants also featured a small second positioned at six o’clock.
What makes these timepieces truly unique is the dial, each of which was painted by hand. This choice by Girard-Perregaux has resulted in an extraordinary variety of designs and styles over the years of production, making each one potentially unique.
Some dials adopted a more restrained color scheme, with contrasting shades such as black and gray, making them suitable even for more formal settings. In contrast, other variants exhibited bright and bold color combinations, with bright colors such as red and orange juxtaposed with darker bases, giving the watch a decidedly sportier and more dynamic look.
Another element that contributes to the collector’s fascination with these Girard Perregaux 9034s is the distinctiveness of the hour markers. The most common configuration features round indexes, often two-tone, with a sharp division between a light and a dark part, creating an effect reminiscent of moon phases. Rarer, however, are specimens with differently shaped indexes or that combine, with the round indexes, other distinctive elements, such as Arabic numerals.
Among the most fascinating variants is the dial nicknamed “Flags,” featuring a flag-inspired design in which each index alternates between two distinct colors. This version is among the rarest and most sought after by collectors, making it a genuine cult piece in the vintage watch scene.
Conclusion
As we have seen in this article, the many dials of this reference offer enthusiasts a lot of opportunity to enjoy collecting unique and varied specimens.
Such vibrant and colorful dials, which we appreciate today in models produced by well-known brands, were certainly not the norm in the 1960s. This shows how vintage watch collecting can also cater to more modern tastes, allowing enthusiasts to find vintage pieces that reflect current trends.
The relatively low production of these Girard Perregaux 9034 makes it difficult to find them easily on the market. However, for those with the patience to look for the right watch, prices start at around EUR 2,000, going up, however, for variants with more distinctive dials.
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