Chrono Hawk
Ceramic and palladium for the Girard-Perregaux chronograph for Only Watch 2013
Historical line of Girard-Perregaux, the Hawk model was introduced at BaselWorld this year in a ceramic high-tech version, reinterpreted for this unique Monaco edition.
By David Richard
The firm from La Chaux-de-Fonds is as famous for its historical roots dating back to 1791 as for the design of complex movements, such as the first calibre in the world oscillating at 5Hz or even the famous Tourbillon under three gold bridges. However, with the Hawk model, it also has the intention of reminding that in terms of sports watches, it was the pioneer of wristwatches since 1880, followed in 1940 by the first Sea Hawk generation.
The Girard-Perregaux Hawk Collection: A sports line with a strong character
Like it is often the case with historical firms, reference to the past is part of the DNA of any new model. Thus, when Girard-Perregaux launched its new Hawk series in 2012, the experts discovered in its sculptural case an energetic reinterpretation of the famous 1975 polished and octagonal bezel equipping the Lauréato model, then described as a “sports” model. Massive and prominent, this 44 mm athlete thus revisits the principle of the salient and atypical angle while asserting a steel-like sports character.
Yet, nowadays, the tough ones are not necessarily made in steel. Next to the advent of “ceramic” technology, developed in particular by Rado with the first monohull cases, steel pales in comparison. It is the Vickers scale which measures the hardness index of a material: 180 HV for steel against 1400 HV for the ceramic contained in the Hawk model presented at BaselWorld this year and for which Girard-Perregaux readily reveals the use of ultrafine grains of zirconium oxide.
As well as being an excellent high-tech material, representing no danger for human beings and the environment, ceramic is also unchangeable, hypoallergenic and athermal. These qualities are enhanced by its velvety texture, polished aspect and depth of its black and matt colour.
Reference to driving races or the Monaco flag?
Monaco brings to mind red and white, which is the colour of Monaco flag. It also reminds the famous Formula 1 Grand Prix. It seems that the designers kept in mind the reverence to the Principality under whose patronage the charity auction is occurring as well as the driving races. The brand lays its cards on the table through an aggressive and bright design of a case with bright edges while associating the roundness of a palladium bezel. A true rev-counter has been designed for the measure of short time intervals. To this end, two timers, one for the minutes hand facing the small seconds hand at the 3 o’clock position, enhance the readability of the chronograph driven by the automatic GP 3300 calibre. Sporty and classy, the Chrono Hawk Only Watch 2013 also pays tribute to the marine field with its water resistance guaranteed to 100 metres, conjugated with a marked luminescence of the indexes and the hours and minutes hands.
It is less likely to be the form of the La Rascasse tunnel than of the famous Girard-Perregaux bridge that is found in a motif on the screen, including a date indicator placed at the 6 o’clock position. A pragmatic layout, signature of the brand which here delivers an ad hoc and refined style exercise, as embodied by the rubber strap, covered with black alligator and red stitching.
