Undervalued Discounted and a Great Deal: Girard-Perragaux 1966

When a watch's price drops from the MSRP, some collectors confuse "losing price" with "losing value"- in reality a watch's horological value remains constant. If you can find a good watch where that occurs, it becomes a collector's gem because they can often get an undervalued watch for a more comfortable price.

[@McLaughter_]

GP is underrated, that’s for sure. Really like their ceramic models !

[@watchartsci]

Hi Mr. B.That black Laureato Ceramic is daunting...a Darth Vader watch. Very cool. Take care, Bill

[@obesetuna3164]

Hi Bill. I have always been a fan of the 1966. Perhaps, one day I will take the plunge. It never ceases to amaze how GP as a brand, is always so under the radar.

[@watchartsci]

Some even better pre-owned deals Tuna. Take care, Bill

[@juniorjohnson5961]

Thanks Bill 🙏

[@watchartsci]

My pleasure Junior, Take care, Bill

[@peternorman2563]

Girard Perregaux is a no brainer, they are better made and and beautifully designed.

[@watchartsci]

I wonder what it is, Peter, that GPs are not as appreciated as much for the quality of their watches and movements?🤔Take care, Bill

[@xpdchief7698]

Good afternoon Bill. I'm not looking for a dress watch myself, but I don't really think that that was the gist of the video anyway. Your message is ingrained in my watch collecting brain. I used this philosophy on the last 2 of my better watch purchases, my Parmigiani Tonda Metrographe and my 2011 Grand Prix winner Montbanc. Without your videos I would not have either. Keep up the good work. Best regards, Brian

[@watchartsci]

As long as you get a good watch you like and at a good price ... you can't lose, Brian. How do your like Montblanc Star? Very much overlooked. Also, did you get the Tonda with a metal bracelet or leather strap? Take care, Bill

[@xpdchief7698]

@@watchartsci I absolutely love my Montblanc (silver dial and bracelet), a top 5 in my collection. The Parmigiani is on a bracelet . I always try to get my watches on a bracelet when available and I think Parmigiani has one of the best bracelets out there. Regards, Brian

[@watchartsci]

@@xpdchief7698 I have a bracelet on my Kalpa, and I'm convinced that no one makes better bracelets than Parmigiani Fleurier. Bill

[@xpdchief7698]

@@watchartsci I couldn't agree more! Don't get me wrong, I think your collection is wonderful but your Kalpa is probably my favorite watch in your collection, with the possible exception of your offset dial Vacheron Constantin. I have been looking for a Kalpa Grande XL like yours for a couple of years now. I can only find the smaller Kalpa Grande blue dial on a bracelet (too small for me). The hunt continues! Regards, Brian

[@watchartsci]

@@xpdchief7698 This one looks close... thewatchoutlet.com/products/parmigiani-fleurier-kalpa-forma-grande-automatic-blue-dial-mens-watch-pf006803 Gold rotor too.

[@h111551]

The GP 1966 is the kind of quiet well made watch which is overlooked in the marketing driven world of watch brands and watch brand buzz. I do not do Instagram but I am fairly confident that it is seldom, if ever, that s GP watch gets posted there.

[@watchartsci]

With 246,000 followers instagram.com/girardperregaux/?hl=en , I bet there's a 1966 or two, Howard.🤔 Take care, Bill

[@leightodd7335]

NO date NO date NO date.... or BIG DATE or go home! lol GP must make good movements because before the in-house craze started several of the big boys used them.

[@watchartsci]

Then I'll just go home, Leigh. Dates are just another setting that I never use but am OC enough so that I'll always the the date making sure that I have the AM/PM set correctly. Make life simple. Take care, Bill

[@kesselbrenner]

Chopard L.U.C Engine One H Is a good example for a watch that doesn’t hold its price.

[@watchartsci]

Great choice Gidi. I agree. Take care, Bill

[@seaweed719]

I wouldn’t say GP is underrated now. Sure, its dress watches are a good bargain in the secondary market, but this applies to almost all brands with maybe a few exceptions. However its Laureato line is rising in prices and demands.

[@watchartsci]

What other brands of good watches have big discounts on new watches, Seaweed?🤔 Take care, Bill

[@washingtonfootballfanwgil8392]

Bill, We are under seige. Each day, more and more watch brands are surcombing to silicon. I don't know about this 1966 model but, the escapement in Girard Perregaux's Constant Force uses some silicon, as does Zenith (Defy Inventor) Parmigiani Fleurier played a part in the development for Zenith. So Bill, what is the future of watchmaking? Has silicon become a material that can be expected in all horology? Even Rolex has silicon in one of it's lady's models. (Lady Datejust in Oystersteel)

[@watchartsci]

Hi Fan, I think there will always be some brands that will think twice about silicon hairsprings in mechanical watches. I've no problem with silicon escapements since there's nothing a silicon escapement cannot do that one of transitional metals can do. However, with silicon hairsprings, there's no spring adjustment ... it's too brittle. Rolex chose not to use them in their men's watches. Quartz has been used in women's watches in just about every major brand so that they can get the accuracy in small watches. With the functionality and accuracy of Apple Watches, spoiling a traditional mechanical watch with a silicon hairspring just doesn't make sense. Take care, Bill (PS ... congrats on the win Sunday!)

[@tiborcsercsa6416]

I have a G.P. 1966 41mm 18k gold Icons of Mexico only 20 were made,I bought it for $8000 Canadian, it was a store display like new, I love it so much, I think it was a bargain don't you think?

[@watchartsci]

In gold, Tibor? Sounds like a great bargain. Take care, Bill

[@tiborcsercsa6416]

@@watchartsci yes 18k gold

[@watchartsci]

@@tiborcsercsa6416 That's a great deal! Good going! Bill

[@enginu.3996]

thank you. There are two things: 1, it does not have a mechanical watch, 2, the mechanical part, which you often say is important, is not visible because it is automatic, right?

[@watchartsci]

Erwin, you have to find out about the movement from the caliber; automatic rotors often block the view. Take care, Bill

[@enginu.3996]

@@watchartsci Thank you. Do you think we can see enough movement in Girard Perregaux 1945 and 1966 (caliber GP3300)?

[@watchartsci]

@@enginu.3996 Go here: watchbase.com/girard-perregaux/caliber/gp03300-0105 and then see if you can find the movement for the 1966. Take care, Bill

[@TimG--]

Yes ! Great watches ! GP Polo the best value out there for a second hand watch or joma shop. For the money second hand great value. Just no longer at my level

[@watchartsci]

I agree Tim. The Piaget Polo is a great value landing somewhere between a Nautilus and Aquanaut in appearance but at a far more comfortable price. Take care, Bill

[@markusopel5773]

A massive thank you for you videos, Bill. A big help for discovering gems. As far as I am concerned, the discontinued 38 mm GP 1966 in white gold is a pinnacle of timeless beauty and elegance, with a movement to match, and can be had for a very good deal. No Calatrava or Patrimony comes even close imho. One only has to be careful with winding the crown, as the thumb or glove unavoidably rubs on the delicate rhodium plating, causing microscratches. Better to start it by using the automatic function, or putting it on a winder for a bit before use.

[@watchartsci]

Hey Mark, you will find that there's rarely a 1 to 1 relationship between the quality of a watch and its popularity. A good watch is a good watch. Period. If you find one that costs a fraction of a popular one, that simply means you understand both quality and horology. Take care, Bill

[@pauloshea2383]

Hi Bill, yes the 1966 is a lovely watch, I’ve been looking for the 1966 Orion version with the Aventurine dial but they seem pretty scarce, I’ll just have to be patient. Knowing my luck it’ll get discontinued. Keep up the good work, cheers.

[@watchartsci]

Good luck Paul, and if they are discontinued ... maybe you can score a bargain.😉 Take care, Bill

[@Slayer8957]

Just want to comment and say Ive been binge watching your videos from the Lyrique Étude vid where I found you all the way to this newest one. And when I find the time, Ill go through more of your older stuff. Just great stuff, and a great channel.

[@watchartsci]

Hey Slayer, glad you''re enjoying them. Take care, Bill

[@Nefville]

The 1966 is definitely one I have considered, along with (at the time) the PF Tonda 1950 because you can get a gold model for very reasonable prices. Its just a solid watch, I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

[@watchartsci]

Hi Nef, of those 2 I'd go with the Tonda ... a watch with a known watchmaker in Michel Parmigiani. Take care, Bill

[@ivansmith4242]

Lots of brands such as Bulgari, luc chopard, Breguet, Piaget can be had at a good price. Omega is usually great value for the dollar. Most of the unpopular models from VC, PP and AP can be had at a discount. The AP Millenary will probably be a future hot shot also the AP code 11.59.

[@watchartsci]

Great examples Ivan! Thanks. Take care, Bill

[@almeladze]

I have that same 1966 that's on the image from Luxury Well, in black DLC case but with aventurine dial. It's amazing! And yes Bill, I also love central seconds. The first half of my collection had small seconds but now I look for central seconds watches and have recently acquired my 4th central seconds piece, that GP 1966 was the 3rd one)))

[@watchartsci]

Cool Alexander! I like small seconds for a little thinner watch and central seconds for a cleaner dial. Take care, Bill

[@fmalik7736]

Hi Bill can you explore Dewitt watches in detail as the previous video was very brief do you consider it as a high Horological value as I really appreciate your info regarding this I have learned a lot from your videos

[@watchartsci]

F. Malik, the DeWitt is a complicated watch to discuss because they're not wholly forthcoming about their movements. For example, their caliber DW2002 has an ETA 2892 base; however, one of their watches with that movement also has an AGH-1971 module. Tell me what it is about the brand that you're interested in? Take care, Bill

[@fmalik7736]

Thanks a lot Bill for your information any idea about DeWitt Academiia Out Of Time 18K gold, and Hora Mundi Dual time which you have already coved in your previous video that it’s ETA based my brother like to buy this at a price 3750$ do you think it’s good deal to buy watch with ETA for more than 3000$ also I have tried to look for the movement of Dewitt Twenty 8 Eight double Fuseau GMT 2 but couldn’t figure it out if it’s also ETA based like Hora Mundi Thanks

[@Stoneitful]

Good video Bill , thank you !

[@watchartsci]

Thanks Steve! Take care, Bill

[@andycandyOK]

nice watches indeed!

[@watchartsci]

Yeah, they are nice ones Andy! Take care, Bill

[@Javi_C]

Great deal!

[@watchartsci]

Do they fall in the realm of the kinds of watches you like, Javi? Take care, Bill

[@giuseppesimonesignorello8633]

Hi, i'm wondering why you showed your appreciation for Hamilton, but still didn't put it into the watches ranking video. And also, do you rank Hamilton at the same level as Mido? Thank you and have a good day!

[@watchartsci]

Giuseppe, like Longines, Hamilton is part of the Swatch Group. They are certainly a watch of Standard Horology, and as a mass produced watch, they provide good value for the money, but horologically very similar to other Swatch Group watches that use the ETA movements. Take care, Bill

[@giuseppesimonesignorello8633]

Thank you so much for the fast and meticulous reply! You too.