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Thoughts on 22209

Wum
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About a year ago, I bought a GP 22209. I’m not an expert in the field, so I purchased it without fully realizing what I had. Since then, I’ve been working on bringing it back to its original condition. Right now, the only thing still missing is the correct set of hands.

That said, the current hands don’t really bother me - they actually complement the dial quite nicely. Still, I’m debating whether it’s worth spending an additional €300–€400 to get the correct ones if i can even find them… As a 22-year-old student, that’s quite a big investment… though I say that after already spending €1,400 on this watch (ironically, I know!).

For context: I bought the watch for €1,200 and paid €200 for the dial. It’s been serviced, runs very accurately, and the chronograph works perfectly.

I’d really appreciate any thoughts or advice!

Pictures: The very white dial is how I originally received the watch; the other two show how it looks today 😀

IMG_9617.webp IMG_0355.webp IMG_0346.webp
 
Dan S
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I think it has a lot of charm as it is right now, and you should enjoy wearing it. Good job finding that dial. If it would give you pleasure to complete the project by hunting down the correct hands, then you should do it, IMO. I assume they would be lumed diamond shaped (lozenge) hands. Since the watch is wearable as it is, there's no rush. Take your time and find a good set at a fair price.
Edited:
 
Wum
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Dan S Dan S
I think it has a lot of charm as it is right now, and you should enjoy wearing it. Good job finding that dial. If it would give you pleasure to complete the project by hunting down the correct hands, then you should do it, IMO. I assume they would be lumed diamond shaped (lozenge) hands. Since the watch is wearable as it is, there's no rush. Take your time and find a good set at a fair price.
Thanks for the reply! Yes I agree the watch has a lot of charm, although the dial is not in the best condition i enjoy the patina very much! Finding the dial was something i hadn't really expected, i had posted it on a Dutch watch forum and pretty much everyone told me it would be impossible to find the correct dial, luckily my efforts of looking on eBay and chrono24 multiple times a day payed off. You're correct i'm looking for lozenge hands, i thought i had found a pair but unfortunatly they are not exactly right and i dont think its worth it if they arent 100% correct. I think it would be very satisfying to get it completely original!

s-l400.webp 7056A2010077-girard-perregaux-Ref-22209 (1).webp
 
lsj
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hunting parts is troublesome sometimes annoying but also interesting. its a part of watch collection journey.

i just spend almost 4 months to find one small red hand and correct crown for my tri-compax. i loose some bid on ebay, but in the end get what i need. i bought that tri-compax at around 8000 USD include tax and shipping, and spend another 1k usd on finding parts.

in my opinion, as a student (i assume that u don't have a rich family to support behind), w should have a budget control on parta hunting, asking more questions and dimension of parts before purchase. if it appear with reasonable price, do not miss it.

and the most important is: next time try to buy an all original piece 😀

btw, the more white hand writing dial looks cute also.
 
lsj
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actually, as i mentioned, i bought an 285 movement to get the red hand and crown for my tri-compax. and i just realized that, i have a pair of spare hands, which looks almost same as ur reference picture. the tip is not that long, compare with those wrong hands u purchased. but, they are both no lume, may need relume. i post picture here, see if u are interest.

Wum Wum
Thanks for the reply! Yes I agree the watch has a lot of charm, although the dial is not in the best condition i enjoy the patina very much! Finding the dial was something i hadn't really expected, i had posted it on a Dutch watch forum and pretty much everyone told me it would be impossible to find the correct dial, luckily my efforts of looking on eBay and chrono24 multiple times a day payed off. You're correct i'm looking for lozenge hands, i thought i had found a pair but unfortunatly they are not exactly right and i dont think its worth it if they arent 100% correct. I think it would be very satisfying to get it completely original!

s-l400.webp 7056A2010077-girard-perregaux-Ref-22209 (1).webp

20250614_125829.webp 20250614_125852.webp 20250614_130002.webp Screenshot_20250527_221628_eBay.webp
 
lsj
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and unfortunately the second hand recently sold....otherwise u may get a full set hands
 
Larry S
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I think the watch in its current state looks amazing. Another leave it alone vote. Sourcing UG hands in current market is a pain.
 
lsj
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Larry S Larry S
I think the watch in its current state looks amazing. Another leave it alone vote. Sourcing UG hands in current market is a pain.
for this case i agree, seach parts for a high value watch is more worthy, same effort. better just save money for next. unless this piece is very meaningful
 
Wum
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I actually really enjoyed the hunt. Ever since I got the dial, I haven’t put much effort into tracking down the right hands - but honestly, for the price I paid, I doubt I could have found a 22209 in better condition. I’ve seen a few listings on Chrono that are absurdly overpriced, one reaching nearly €7,000, and another at €4,700 that’s clearly been overpolished the €1.400 i’ve spend doesn’t feel to bad to me altough i’m happy to hear i’ve overpaid since i will learn from it 😉.

The 285 hands you offered me would have been perfect, and I would’ve taken them in a heartbeat, but unfortunately the 281 and 285 have different hole sizes, so they just wouldn’t fit.

As for the hands currently on mine: the chronograph hand seems to be original, so it really just comes down to the hour hands. I did reach out to the seller to ask whether he still had the originals, but he told me the watchmaker had replaced them due to the presence of radium.

Since the dial was swapped, I’ve hardly worn the watch - partly because I’m afraid of damaging it (stupid reason i know) and partly because I’m usually working at a bakery after school. On most days I just wear the €50, 36mm Casio Duro my girlfriend gave me.

More recently, I picked up another “too good to be true” deal: a Tudor Ranger. It likely has an aftermarket dial and hands, and the movement’s a bit of a tricky one too. Realistically, it probably would’ve been wiser to spend a bit more and get something fully original - but then again, where’s the fun in that?
 
Wum
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gilb12 gilb12
I would leave it this way too 😊


This is my 22209

Screenshot_2025-06-02-08-38-21-178_com.miui.gallery-edit.webp Screenshot_2025-06-26-08-39-35-398_com.miui.gallery-edit.webp
Amazing piece! That dial is in stunning condition and the patina on the hands, gorgeous 🤩
 
lsj
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Wum Wum
Realistically, it probably would’ve been wiser to spend a bit more and get something fully original - but then again, where’s the fun in that?
IMHO, the fun point is, get it with a low price 🤪 also, searching for those hidden gem, UG was a hidden gem brand, but now more and more ppl pushing up price in these 2 years.

maybe i should say "more original" instead of "all original". as long as u enjoying, that is ok. its interesting, and good chance to build up knowledge.
 
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