All the way back in 1976 Girard-Perregaux unveiled the first Casquette. Originally, the quartz powered watch wasn’t called the Casquette, that name came later from the fans and collectors who loved its retro-futuristic styling and innovative LED display. Now though, Girard-Perregaux have formally accepted the name with the launch of Casquette 2.0, welcoming a design back into their collections that hasn’t been produced in decades.
Structurally, the new watch draws heavily on the original design. The shape is difficult to describe because it’s resolutely three dimensional. By which I mean we typically refer to a watch’s shape from a top down point of view and describe it as if it were two dimensional, a circle or a square for example. However, the Girard-Perregaux Casquette 2.0’s display is vertically mounted with the case pulling away from it horizontally in a tapered rectangle, measuring 42.40 x 33.60 x 14.64mm. And that’s what gives it its retro-futuristic charm.
The case is made from black ceramic with a titanium base and titanium pushers mounted on either side of the display. It brings the watch into this century and is a substantial upgrade from the polycarbonate, gold and steel models of the seventies. Ceramic and titanium are both super durable and super lightweight materials making the Girard-Perregaux Casquette 2.0 a shade over 100g. Some people prefer some heft to their watches but digital and quartz watches tend to be on the lighter side anyway, it enhances the high-tech impression.
Anyone who has been following Girard-Perregaux closely will likely have seen this release coming on the horizon. That’s because last year they collaborated with Bamford Watch Department to create a one-of-one recreation of the Casquette in carbon for the Only Watch charity auction. Not itself an indication that the watch was due to make a return except for that fact that it debuted a brand new quartz calibre, the GP03980. No surprises then that the Casquette 2.0 also houses that movement.
It’s estimated that the GP03980, if used regularly every day, has a battery life of two years so you can get plenty of usage out of its myriad functions. The original Casquette had hours, minutes, seconds, day and date, a foundation the new one builds on. It introduces months, years, a chronograph, a second time zone and a secret date function to the mix. The secret date is the most unique, it allows you to set a particular day, date and year and have it shown on the display at the same time every day. So, gentlemen, you have no excuse to forget your wedding anniversary ever again.
Girard-Perregaux Casquette 2.0 is a limited edition of 820 pieces, a number derived from the fact that there were 8,200 original Casquettes produced during the model’s lifetime. It’s also a new entry point for Girard-Perregaux at £3,600. Considering an original is now worth 10x its starting price, the Casquette 2.0 may prove to be a shrewd investment.
Price & Specs:
Model: Girard-Perregaux Casquette 2.0
Reference: 39800-32-001-32A
Case/Dial: 42.40mm x 33.60mm x 14.64mm height, black ceramic & Grade 5 titanium case, tubular LED display dial
Water resistance: 50m (5 bar)
Movement: GP03980 calibre, quartz movement, 45 parts
Frequency: 32,768 Hz
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, day, date, month, year, chronograph, second time zone, secret date
Strap: Black ceramic with rubber interior and titanium folding buckle
Price/availability: £3,600, limited edition of 820 pieces
More details at Girard-Perragaux.
