Casquette 2.0: Welcome back!
Fernando AldeaThe original Casquette model was produced from 1976 to 1978. During that period, Girard-Perregaux produced 8,200 pieces of this innovative quartz watch, which over the years became a highly sought-after model among connoisseurs and style-conscious users. Now the Casquette model is back.
This new model, called Casquette 2.0, maintains the design codes of the original, although it is now housed in a ceramic and grade 5 titanium case. It also incorporates a new quartz movement with increased functionality. Finally, thanks to the size and design of its ergonomic case, the model has become a watch suitable for all audiences.
The birth of the Casquette model
In 1976, Girard-Perregaux introduced the Casquette model, an avant-garde watch featuring a tubular LED display. Powered by a quartz movement and completely imbued with the spirit of the 1970s, this watch was very different from traditional two-hand models. Interestingly, Girard-Perregaux, a Manufacture founded in 1791, was at the forefront of quartz watchmaking at the time, and the frequency chosen by the House, 32,768 Hz, became the universal standard for this type of watch.
However, this revolutionary watch was not officially called the "Casquette" because it was marketed with a reference number rather than a name. Nevertheless, collectors began affectionately calling it the "Casquette," a nickname that has since become part of watch enthusiast terminology.
The original model, with its quartz movement, displayed the hours, minutes, seconds, day, and date with a high degree of precision. Furthermore, unlike many rival brands that simply replaced the traditional dial with a circular panel with several LEDs, Girard-Perregaux took a completely new approach to the design of the Casquette. The tubular LED display was not only functional but also far removed from the conventional, thus contributing to its avant-garde style. In fact, in the 1970s, the watch was compared to sports cars of the era, as its LEDs resembled those vehicles' taillights.
Throughout its history, the House has repeatedly demonstrated its mastery of design. Thus, when designing a watch, it doesn't consider the elements in isolation, but rather as part of a coherent whole. This model was no different, incorporating an integrated bracelet , an idea also adopted by the brand in the 1970s. Likewise, the company has always shown a preference for different shapes for its cases, always attentive to their ergonomics, usability, and legibility.
The Casquette model was produced from 1976 to 1978 and was presented in three different case versions: one in Makrolon® (polycarbonate), another in yellow gold, and the last in steel. Over the years, this watch has become a highly coveted piece for collectors and fashion lovers. Its retro-futuristic design remains as attractive as when it was first introduced to the public.
A new era
Now the Casquette model is back. And this time, it's officially adopted the original moniker, dubbed the Casquette 2.0 . The model is housed in a scratch-resistant ceramic case with a grade 5 titanium caseback. Both titanium and ceramic are lightweight and hypoallergenic. In fact, the watch weighs just 107g—exceptionally light—which increases wearer comfort. The new Casquette is more comfortable than ever. This lightweight piece is complemented by titanium push-pieces and a titanium plate above the watch head, emblazoned with the logo that GP used at the time of the original model.
In 2021, Girard-Perregaux, together with Bamford Watch Department , created a unique piece to support the Only Watch charity auction. It was a timepiece based on the original 1976 Casquette, this time housed in a forged carbon and titanium case, with titanium push-pieces. The watch sold for almost 97,000 euros, raising much-needed funds for Duchenne muscular dystrophy research. At the time, some astute observers noticed that the Casquette Only Watch Edition model featured a new movement, the caliber GP03980 , and wondered why the House had created a new movement for just one watch. That movement, the caliber GP03980, now beats at the heart of the new Casquette 2.0.
Patrick Pruniaux, CEO of Girard-Perregaux, notes: “Not all watches can maintain their look and appeal over time. However, since production of the original Casquette ended in 1978, interest in this timepiece has never waned. In addition to the frequent inquiries we receive, we’ve seen the attention these models attract, which can fetch up to ten times their original selling price on the pre-owned market. Imagine if everything we bought increased in value like that! What the original Casquette proves is that our reputation as a House that designs watches with enduring appeal is more than justified. We’re delighted to welcome back the Casquette, a modern timepiece that will continue to be attractive for a long time to come.”
This new watch, like the original Casquette, displays the hours, minutes, seconds, day, and date. However, the new movement incorporates several additional functions, such as the month, year, chronograph, second time zone, and a secret date . This function allows the wearer to store a memorable date of their choice in the watch. The secret date (day, month, and year)—a wedding anniversary, for example—can only be viewed each day at a time specified by the wearer.
The Casquette model allows the wearer to view the time only when they choose, thus preserving battery life. In fact, assuming the pushers are pressed an average of 20 times a day, the battery should last up to two years. The watch comes with a ceramic bracelet with a rubber interior, much more flexible and comfortable than the one supplied with the original Casquette. The bracelet now features a matching titanium folding clasp.
During the life of the original Casquette, 8,200 watches were produced. Girard-Perregaux, inspired by that number, decided to limit production of the new Casquette to just 820 pieces . Furthermore, the Casquette 2.0 is very competitively priced, placing it in a new market segment for Girard-Perregaux.
In 1976, it was the so-called "pioneers" who bought the Casquette, leaving many, less in tune with the latest trends, without it. If you're one of the latter, pre-order it on the brand's e-commerce site from February 22, 2022, to March 7, 2022, and avoid missing out again. After that period, the watch will be available at select Girard-Perregaux retailers worldwide.
https://d2csxpduxe849s.cloudfront.net/media/9CD12BF1-D9F1-472D-872D2CE3064B0588/A758B1C3-31D7-44FA-B25EA31753AE7203/F9CBB82F-2534-494F-98743FE7C5C297CD.mp4About Girard-Perregaux
Founded in 1791, Girard-Perregaux is one of the oldest haute horlogerie manufacturers still in operation today, highly regarded by connoisseurs. Indeed, the firm's history is dotted with exceptional creations that have successfully combined aesthetics and functionality. These models include the iconic Laureato , created in 1975, as well as the legendary Tourbillon "with three gold bridges," capable of illuminating the invisible and transforming bridges, until then mere technical elements, into an integral part of the watch, a first in the history of watchmaking.
Girard-Perregaux's place at the forefront of watchmaking innovation is confirmed by more than one hundred registered patents and countless awards and distinctions. Few watchmaking firms have maintained the status of Manufacture for more than two centuries, retaining in-house all the watchmaking skills necessary to produce watches with a remarkable degree of authenticity. Girard-Perregaux respects its heritage, but that doesn't stop it from looking ahead and embracing new technologies, cutting-edge materials, and updated versions of its most iconic shapes.
