State of Girard-Perregaux watches?

GP was the brand that started my whole journey into vintage watches. My dad’s first proper watch was a Girard-Perregaux - sadly, it was stolen years ago.

Lately, though, I can’t help noticing that GP hasn’t been doing all that well. The brand’s still around, but it feels like it’s lost its place in the conversation.

Just wondering what others think. These days the Laureato seems to be the only model people talk about - and even then, it’s often dismissed as a poor man’s Royal Oak or Nautilus.

Loads of history, personal fan myself. Most popular the last few years has been the Laureato (integrated bracelet sport watches have been dominant anyway).

The Laureato Fifty has generated positive buzz recently.

My favorites are their rectangles.

Ah yes, 50th anniversary of course. (https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/girard-perregaux-laureato-fifty)

It looks nice! But 200 pieces only at $28,320 USD...

I also liked the look of the recently re-released 70s Deep Diver, but similar super limited edition and corresponding pricing. Sigh.

My favourite is their 60s Deep Diver.

The deep diver reissue Bamford looks fun, but not fun at the price lol

Caught myself looking at preowned Sea Hawks. Great value, but a chunk of a watch. Would like to find one somewhere to try on first

I suppose it's always good to try on watches if possible, but there just aren't that many ADs around. There is only one in Sydney, and they have to happen to have the one you want in stock for you to try.

Completely understand. The only ADs near me are jewelry stores, essentially limited to Swatch brands (Omega down, nothing higher end), Seiko, Oris, and FC. Anything else I buy based on pics or wait until I travel to a larger city

I’ve always felt Girard-Perregaux’s problem isn’t a lack of talent, it’s a lack of direction. They’ve got serious history - chronometer-grade calibres, early high-beat movements, proper tool watches like the Deep Diver, and elegant pieces like the 1945. Somehow none of that really comes through in what they’re doing today.

That said, I’m not sure GP ever had a crystal-clear “identity” in the way Omega or Rolex did. They were never a brand defined by one instantly recognisable silhouette or design cue. Their strength was more in quiet consistency - beautifully made, technically interesting watches for people who knew what they were looking at. That sort of understated confidence used to be their thing, and maybe that’s why they’ve struggled to stand out in an era where hype and recognisability are king.

The Laureato should have been the model to fix that - it has real 70s roots - but GP can’t seem to decide what it wants it to represent. Some versions feel like they’re chasing the Royal Oak crowd, others lean more genuinely into GP’s design language. Even the pricing and the endless limited editions seem uncertain. They’ve got heritage and capability, but the brand message feels muddled.

I’d love to see them go back to what they do best: subtle, well-engineered watches that don’t need to shout. If they refined the Laureato, treated the 1945 as a proper pillar, and brought back a solid modern sports watch like the old Sea Hawk or Deep Diver - with proper availability and pricing - they could carve out a real niche. Perhaps a good brand ambassador might help too.

It would be fun to see them really lean into the bridge models the way UN has leaned into Freak models. More effectively establishing their high end could also benefit their lower end

I miss their low-key Ferrari collaboration models from the 90s

I think they had one with BMWs too? I thought they had a relationship with Aston Martin awhile ago. Not sure what happened to that.

Big fan of neo-vintage late 90s. This 4946 is superb. Laureato models are lovely but there are others watches I’d buy first given the budget.

If the 1945 in the sales section were in the US, I would have already bought it. Do not need another, but they do sporty well on a bracelet

I keep looking at that too!

Very beautiful watches there. From memory Hugh Jackman wore a 1945.