This pioneering Girard-Perregaux quartz watch also has a really nice dial to match the groundbreaking movement. Model reference 9829 NA.
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
The very first quartz watch available to buy was marketed by Seiko on Christmas day 1969. The first Swiss quartz watches were launched in the following March at Basel, featuring the Beta 21 movement, which was developed jointly by some of the biggest names in Swiss watchmaking – including Rolex, Patek Philippe, IWC, Omega and Piaget. But in 1971 Girard-Perregaux launched their movement, developed with Motorola, and it changed everything. Not only was it smaller and less power hungry than the Beta 21, but it also ran at 32,768 Hz instead of 8,192 Hz. Almost all quartz watches since have adopted the more accurate and efficient 32,768Hz standard, but Girard-Perregaux were the first. The circuit board on these has a production date stamped on it, so we can say this watch was made after the 18th week of 1973.
CONDITION
The dial is as much a reason to buy this as the movement is – it has a chevron pattern running down the centre that manages to be both subtle and attractive all at the same time. The all stainless steel case is noticeably smaller than the Beta-21 watches, and wears more comfortably too. Behind the screw down case back you find the Girard-Perregaux 353 movement, ticking away perfectly and with the quick set date still functioning as it should via the signed crown. We will install a brand new battery before sending the watch out to the new owner – the correct battery is not fitted in the photograph, but we will correct that. The leather strap is new, and could be swapped for a different colour if preferred.
This watch will be supplied with our branded presentation box and our Certificate of Authenticity.
Please see the HD video for more detail. All photos and videos are part of the description and are of the actual watch unless mentioned. We do not photoshop any pictures, and the images are copyright of birthyearwatches.com and should not be used without permission.
SIZE
Width with crown 37.5 mm
Width without crown 36.0 mm
Between lugs 22 mm
Lug to lug length 391 mm
Case Thickness 11.2 mm
All sizes are approximate. The watch is photographed on a wrist of 190mm/7.5 inches.
Included with this watch is a 3 month guarantee and free delivery to UK addresses. If you live outside the UK we can still deliver to most countries. Please see our Worldwide Shipping information, or Contact Us. Payment can be made by most credit or debit cards, bank transfer or PayPal.
From 1st September 2021 we will be planting a tree for every watch we sell, working with the International Tree Foundation (Est 1922) to make this business positive on carbon. By buying anything pre owned you are effectively reusing what already exists, but this takes it further and makes us feel good.
