Girard-Perregaux is paying tribute to the 1970s with the re-release of quartz watch the Casquette. The newly launched Casquette 2.0 encases the original neo-futuristic, elongated design and updated quartz movement in sleek ceramic and titanium.
‘This is something we have been wanting to do for some time, given the revolutionary design of this watch, and its enduring appeal since it was last produced in the late 1970s,’ says Girard-Perregaux’s chief product officer, Clémence Dubois. ‘Original versions remain highly desirable but hard to find on the secondary market, and in that we saw a major opportunity.’
The original watch, although not officially called the Casquette, quickly received its nickname from a loyal following who were enamoured with the watch’s aesthetic. Produced from 1976 to 1978, it was vastly different from the classic two-handed watches usual for the time.
Girard-Perregaux Casquette watch rebooted
The new piece nods to this history while incorporating contemporary technology, inspired by the unique special edition the brand created in partnership with Bamford Watch Department for the Only Watch charity auction in 2021. ‘We had managed to create a new and improved movement with extra capabilities, but just needed the right moment to relaunch it – it wasn’t a question of if but indeed, when,’ says Dubois. ‘Our thought was to start out with a [one-off] Casquette kitted out with this new movement on the occasion of Only Watch late last year. But the results of this auction far surpassed our expectations, [the watch] fetching almost 10 times the initial estimate, which only further confirmed we were on the right track with this major reboot.’
This new piece adds new functions to the traditional hour, minutes and seconds display, with a secret date feature that lets the wearer choose a memorable or sentimental date that can then be displayed at a specific time each day. ‘We quite liked the idea of information only you (and your Casquette) are privy to, only reinforcing the relationship of watch and wearer, as well as playing into the gadgety/geeky aspect that is undeniable with this relaunch,’ adds Dubois.
‘We affectionately refer to the changes in this new piece as “hardware and software upgrades” within the team. On the “hardware” side, the case has gone from Makrolon on the vintage version to high-performance ceramic, rubber and titanium elements. On the “software” side, we have added a plethora of new functionalities, namely a second timezone, chronograph, low battery indicator and secret date, in addition to time and date functions.’
INFORMATION
-
Year in review: top 10 watches and jewellery posts of 2022, selected by Wallpaper’s Hannah SilverWallpaper* watches & jewellery editor Hannah Silver reveals her top 10 stories of 2022
-
Park House is a minimalist, art-filled family home in Melbourne
Park House by Mim Design and Pleysier Perkins is an art-filled family home in Melbourne including a bold, concrete extension
-
Remembering New York artist Daniel Brush, 1947 – 2022
In tribute to Daniel Brush, who has died aged 75, we revisit this 2020 Wallpaper* profile of the elusive New York artist by jewellery historian Vivienne Becker, who unravelled the secrets of his singular designs for her book, ‘Daniel Brush: Jewels Sculpture’
-
Vacheron Constantin unveils the Historiques 222 to mark 45 years since the model’s launch
Vacheron Constantin restates its place in the pantheon of ‘sports chic’ watches
-
This Timex retro quartz watch is straight from the 1970s
The Q Timex 1972 Reissue watch stays faithful to the design codes of the original
-
Classic meets cool in Nomos Glashütte’s platinum grey watch design
Two new Tangente Neomatik watches draw on Nomos Glashütte’s clean German design codes
-
G-Shock marks 40 years of youth culture with limited-edition watch
G-Shock and the Museum of Youth Culture look to the archives for the new GW-M5610MOYC-1ER watch
-
Ten watch brands mark Mr Porter’s anniversary with special editions
Ten watch brands, including Cartier, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Vacheron Constantin and Bell & Ross, are celebrating Mr Porter’s tenth anniversary in style
-
Atelier Oï’s Louis Erard watch is inspired by a minimalist sundial
Atelier Oï has rethought the Louis Erard Le Régulateur watch with a minimalist dial, engraved as if with rays of light
-
Nomos Autobahn watch is rethought by designer Werner Aisslinger
Three new models make up the Nomos Autobahn Director’s Cut Limited Edition watch series, in motoring-inspired hues
-
Iconic Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso watch turns 90
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, published by Assouline, traces the history of the remarkable reversible watch
