We’re all about dive watches here at WWR. Sure, there are other styles and complications that we like as well, but the humble dive watch? It offers a great blend of utility and styling, and can be interpreted so many ways, you’re sure to find a robust watch that fits your tastes. And if your tastes tend towards the 1960s and 1970s, you’ll want to check out this limited-edition reissue of the Girard-Perregaux Deep Diver.
Girard-Perregaux Deep Diver: what it is
At it’s core, the watch is a re-issue of the Ref. 9108 Deep Diver issued back in the late 60s and early 70s. You’ve got the cushion / compressor style case back then, and of course that vaguely-roulette wheel style on the dial. For the reissue, they took elements of the 1969 and 1971 versions of the watch, and worked with the crew at Bamford to modernize the aesthetics.
The materials used also got brought forward into the future. The cushion case this time around is made of Grade 5 titanium, and topped with a sapphire crystal. Inside, the movement is upgraded as well – there have been more than a few changes in the last 50 years. This time around, it’s the GP03300 calibre inside, which we’ve seen appear in the Laureato lineup. So, a known quantity, and vastly more reliable than something you might find in a vintage Deep Diver at this point.
Limited Quantities, act fast!
The Girard-Perregaux Deep Diver is part of the Legacy Editions collection (of which the Casquette was part), which sees these vintage models get their blueprints dusted off, modernized for current materials (and nods to current tastes), and in some cases – as with this model – working with another design house on aspects of the watch.
This also lends itself – easily – to these being limited-edition models. It makes sense in a way, because you never can quite tell how a vintage-look reissue is going to hit (just look at the Chevy HHR, for example). And, for those who do like it, well, you’re in an exclusive club. For this release, just 350 pieces are being made available.
Wrapping things up
Another nod to modernity that the Girard-Perregaux Deep Diver gives us is the idea of quick-change straps. It’s a small thing, but it helps. Matching the dial, the watch comes with both blue and orange rubber straps, so you can adjust (or hey, even mix and match, if you like) to suit your needs. If you want to get one of these, they’re available for $15,100 directly via Bamford or Girard-Perregaux.
Girard-Perregaux Deep Diver Tech Specs
- Case
- Grade 5 titanium
- 40.3mm x 38mm
- Height 13.91mm
- Glass: anti-reflective sapphire crystal
- Case-back: blue metallized sapphire crystal caseback with metallized Deep Diver logo
- Dial: orange, white and blue, rectangular indexes with luminescent material (blue emission), “GIRARD-PERREGAUX” and “BAMFORD” decals
- Hands: grey PVD-treated with luminescent material (blue emission)
- Water resistance: 200 meters (20 ATM)
- Strap
- Material: blue rubber with quick-release system
- Buckle: titanium pin buckle
- A second orange rubber strap (with titanium pin buckle) also included
- Movement
- Reference: GP03300-2339
- Self-winding movement
- Diameter: 25,95 mm (111/2’’’)
- Height: 3.36 mm
- Frequency: 28,800 Vib/h – (4 Hz)
- Number of components: 218
- Number of jewels: 27
- Power reserve: min. 46 hours
- Functions: Hours, minutes, central second, date, rotating inner bezel
