One of the coolest quartz watches of the 1970s, the Casquette became a horological icon of its era. Its lates iteration, the Girard-Perregaux Casquette 2.0 in titanium and gold is the last model ever to be produced.
Initially available in three case variants: steel, gold-plated and the uber-resistant Makrolon polycarbonate, the Casquette was Girard-Perregaux’s solid answer to the challenges presented by the quartz revolution and the growing popularity of LED displays. Its innovative tubular display distanced itself from traditional forms and was warmly welcomed by watch enthusiasts and collectors with open arms. Its futuristic design embraced the widespread public interest for space travel and science fiction. Its quartz movement, the Calibre GP-350 with a frequency of 32,768 Hz (created by Girard-Perregaux in 1971), became the international standard for quartz watches, and therefore, the best one could ask for. Between 1976 and 1978, Girard-Perregaux produced 8,200 Casquette watches.
Left, Girard-Perregaux Casquette advertising poster from 1976. Right, the original casquette is plated in yellow gold.
The first resurrection of the Casquette took place in 2021, when Girard-Perregaux partnered up with Bamford Watch Department to produce a one-of-a-kind piece for the Only Watch charity auction (it sold for 80,000 Swiss francs).
In 2022, Girard-Perregaux brought to market the Casquette 2.0, which was loyal to the original, incorporating just a few subtle changes and enhancements. It was housed in a ceramic and titanium case, featuring titanium pushers and looked very much like the 1976 original in Makrolon. The watch displayed not only time and date but also a chronograph, a second time zone and a secret date. This time, only 820 units were offered.
A year later, a partnership with Saint Laurent brought to market a version of the Casquette 2.0. Limited to 100 pieces, the watch was redesigned by Creative Director Anthony Vaccarello for the Saint Laurent Rive Droite line. It was made from black ceramic and black PVD-treated titanium and featured the signature of the legendary fashion house on the caseback. A second iteration of the Casquette 2.0 x Saint Laurent was issued in summer 2024, this time made entirely from titanium.
The new Girard-Perragaux Casquette 2.0 in titanium with a yellow gold GP logo and brand signature on the caseback.
The latest and final model in the Casquette family before the line is retired for good comes in a grade 5 titanium case with 18kt yellow gold GP logo and pushers and matching titanium bracelet with rubber lining for guaranteed comfort on the wrist. The buckle allows for micro adjustments so the fitting can be finely adjusted to any wrist. Only 820 of them will be made available.
Like with its Saint Laurent counterpart, its quartz heart is the Calibre GP03980, which allows all the additional functions mentioned above and when the pusher is pressed, the display lasts for four seconds. For those who have a Girard-Perregaux Casquette from the 1970s, know that the Calibre G003980 can be retrofitted to the originals.
A fitting final tribute to a horological legend of a foregone era.
Author: Julia Pasarón
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