Girard Perregaux Casquette

It’s funny, how when you start learning about watches, all of a sudden you come across a watch that has passed you by. Growing up as a child from the 70’s, I seem to remember the first iteration of digital watches. I’m sure my dad, or one of my uncles had a digital watch with the red LED segments. I remember being blown away, thinking this is one of the coolest things I had seen. Skip forward now almost 50 years to the present day. I’ve been non stop listening to watch podcasts, reading articles and trying to absorb so much information to further grow my watch knowledge.

GB Talks is one of my favourite podcasts and the man of the moment for me is George Bamford. He’s the owner of the Bamford Watch Department and Bamford London. He is also one of the three amigos on About Effing Time, another of my weekly podcast musts.

As a designer, George Bamford has a unique take on watches and I weirdly find myself being drawn to his honesty and views. He has a thing for the Girard Perregaux Casquette from the 1970’s. As one of the most influential digital watches from that time, I decided I had to have one for my collection.

In the world of horology, the 1970s were marked by a wave of innovation and daring design. Amidst the bold experiments with shape and materials, one timepiece emerged as a true icon of that era. This was the Girard Perregaux Casquette. This distinctive watch, with its shield-like case and unconventional time-telling methods, remains a celebrated masterpiece of 1970s watchmaking. In this article, we delve into the history and design of the Girard-Perregaux Casquette, exploring why it continues to captivate watch enthusiasts even today.

The 1970s were a period of significant transformation in the watchmaking industry. Advances in technology and materials, coupled with a shift in design philosophy, led to the creation of timepieces that broke away from traditional norms. Among these pioneers, Girard-Perregaux stood at the forefront of innovation.

The Casquette, introduced in 1971, was a testament to the brand’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of watch design. Its name, meaning “cap” in French, alluded to its unique shield-like case shape, which set it apart from anything else on the market.

The most distinctive feature of the Casquette is its shield-shaped case, a daring departure from the typical round or rectangular cases of the time. This unconventional design not only protected the watch’s movement but also served as a canvas for avant-garde aesthetics.

The dial of the Casquette was equally unconventional, featuring a digital time display with red LED numerals. This digital display was a futuristic touch, aligning perfectly with the 1970s obsession with all things high-tech.

Girard-Perregaux used stainless steel for the case, giving it a robust and enduring quality. The bracelet was also made of stainless steel, seamlessly integrated into the case design.

The Casquette was powered by an electronic movement, a novelty for its time. This quartz movement ensured precise timekeeping and was a precursor to the quartz revolution that would sweep the watch industry in the following years.

The Girard-Perregaux Casquette was produced in limited quantities (around 8200) during its brief production run in the 1970s. Its rarity, combined with its iconic design, has made it highly sought after by collectors. It represents not only an era of bold experimentation but also a moment in horological history when traditional watchmaking collided with cutting-edge technology.
It was released in a choice of 3 finishes, Stainless Steel (9931) 18kt Gold Plate (9934) and Makrolon (9939)

While the Casquette is undoubtedly a vintage masterpiece, Girard-Perregaux has continued to innovate and produce exceptional timepieces to this day. The brand’s commitment to craftsmanship and design excellence is evident in its modern collections, which draw inspiration from its rich heritage while embracing contemporary tastes.

Makrolon

Stainless Steel

18kt Gold

The Girard-Perregaux Casquette from the 1970s is a testament to the bold spirit of innovation that characterised that era. Its shield like case, digital display, and use of advanced materials made it a pioneering watch of its time. Today, it remains a symbol of horological creativity and a coveted collector’s item.
As we continue to explore the world of watches, we can’t help but appreciate how timepieces like the Casquette have left an indelible mark on the industry, reminding us that the evolution of watchmaking is a journey of imagination and daring design.

This well loved GP Casquette, now in my possession, has of course seen better days. However, the extremely worn look appeals to me. It shows how much this has been worn and loved in its past 43 years. Yes the 18kt Gold plating has worn off on the bracelet, but the rest of the watch is in great condition for its age.

I contacted the seller and found out that this was originally bought in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1980 and cost just £870.00. It changed hands again in 2022 and sold for an absolute bargain price of only £625.00 and stayed locally, still in Christchurch NZ. I then became the 3rd owner and custodian just a few weeks ago. It does need a new bracelet or replacement strap, but I think this will be in my collection for some time.