This Girard-Perregaux Quartz was the pioneering watch that every quartz watch since has to thank. Model reference 9606 KA
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
Seiko just beat the Swiss to launch the first quartz movement on Christmas day 1969. It cost the same as a family car, $1,250. Shortly afterwards a conglomerate of Swiss companies including Omega and Patek Philippe launched the Beta 21. Girard-Perregaux went a different route, and worked with Motorola and launched their bespoke quartz calibre 350 in 1970. Whereas the Seiko and Beta 21 ran at 8,162 Hz, the Girard-Perregaux quartz ran at 32,768Hz, which every quartz watch since has adopted as the industry standard. This watch has a slightly later calibre 351, and the bracelet has a stamp 0874 which could indicate it was made in August 1974. The calibre 352 came out in 1975, so this watch is likely to have been made circa 1974.
CONDITION
Without this movement Girard-Perregaux may have joined the long list of companies that failed during the quartz crisis, but instead of falling by the wayside their management made the right decision to invest and succeed. You can read more about the development here.
The case didn’t change much from the 1970 launch watch. This example has a cleaner, silver dial to the eye catching blue circuit board dial that first appeared. You will find a few marks on the case, as is usual for a watch of this age, and the bracelet also has light surface scratches. The long bracelet is stamped HC, and retains the original Girard-Perregaux stamped clasp with lockover. The end link to the bracelet could be missing, as described and shown in the video, but it will not be an issue unless you have huge wrists. Likewise the crown is also original, signed GP. The movement is running perfectly. Horological history.
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 39.9 mm
Width without crown 38.1 mm
Between lugs 20 mm
Lug to lug length 42.3 mm
Case Thickness 13.0 mm
Bracelet will fit a maximum wrist size of 205 mm. The bracelet can be sized for you if you give us your wrist size when placing the order.
All sizes are approximate.
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.
