Girard-Perregaux 1966 "Doctor's Watch" Chronograph
The Girard-Perregaux 1966 Chronograph - Doctor’s Watch - only for Dubail
Through a limited series of the Chronograph 1966 for the Dubail firm, Girard-Perregaux reminds us of the golden age of the pulsometer.
By Marco Gabella
Chairman & Executive Publisher
At first sight, measuring speed appears as the primary function of the chronograph. However, it was pulse reading that introduced this complication to success.
The historical background of the Girard-Perregaux Chronograph
In the 20th Century, the advent of the automobile brought to the spotlight racing drivers, the new heroes of that time. From from the golden age of the Mercedes W196 «Silver Arrow» driven by Juan Manuel Fangio to the contemporary electronics-filled Formula 1, the last century was synonymous of speed and its measure.
In the 50-60’s, the democracy of the chronograph was made possible by the introduction of accessible chronograph movements, such as the Valjoux caliber 22.
Inspired from and designed for car racing, icons such as the Omega Speedmaster (1957), the Heuer Carrera (1963) or the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona (1963) were used by racing drivers and thus the tachometric graduation chronograph became publicly famous.
In the passion for mechanical sports, the tachometer is subliminally established as the one and only chronograph in the minds of all. However, if the measuring of speed remains the most famous and widespread application of this complication, it is altogether another function which largely contributed to the success of the chronograph, namely that of pulse reading.
Reading the pulse made easy with the Doctor's Watch
During the years 1920-1930, most of the Swiss brands manufactured pulsometer choronographs in the aim of establishing the heart rate. Graduated for 15 or 30 pulsations, the «Doctor’s Watch», reads the patient’s pulse via the chronograph’s seconds hand linked with a pulsometer scale. This professional application meant for doctors was an immediate success in the midst of the profession, able to afford this movement despite its high price at the time.
Girard-Perregaux 1966 Doctor’s Watch – back to the origins
Introduced at BaselWorld 2013, the new Girard-Perregaux 1966 Chronograph shows off a classic style (see the watch’s file). Equipped with the manufacture’s column-wheel calibre GP030C0, this chronograph contains an inside tachometer scale, two timers (minutes of the chronograph at the 3 o’clock position and seconds at the 9 o’clock position) as well as a date aperture at the 6 o’clock position.
In the context of a limited series for the French firm Dubail, Girard-Perregaux manufactured two series of 10 pieces each (white gold and red gold) of the Chronograph 1966 «Doctor’s Watch». This series is undoubtedly inspired from a 1940s’ model.
True to its original calling
The inside tachometer scale has been replaced by a 60 seconds graduation fitted on a red circular graining, its colour corresponding to the limited series commanded by Dubail. This coloured ring gives a whole new dimension to the dial’s layout and highlights the pulsometer scale peripherally fitted and graduated for 30 pulsations.
The streamlined aspect of this watch is equally reinforced by the abolition of the date aperture.
Nowadays, it would be hard to find doctors using this watch for its primary function because electronic technology is less expensive and more reliable; nevertheless, this watch completely proves itself in terms of a tool meant for professionals. With a perfect readability of the pulsometer graduation, this model certainly remains a tribute, but a functional and accomplished one.
The pink gold version costs €24’700 while the white gold version costs €26’100. These two limited series of 10 pieces each are exclusively available at the Dubail boutique, 21 Place Vendôme, Paris. A delight for cardiologist watch collectors!
