Vintage Girard Perregaux wristwatch

The origins of Girard Perregaux, a Swiss luxury watch manufacturer can be traced back to 1791 when Jean-Francois Bautte formed a company Jean-François Bautte & Cie Company. The company initially produced pocket watches and complex timepieces, and quickly gained a reputation for precision and craftsmanship.

In 1852, Constant Girard, who was a Swiss watchmaker founded Girard & Cie, married Marie Perregaux, and renamed his company became known as Girard-Perregaux and in 1896 merged with Jean-François Bautte & Cie Company. The company continued to produce high-quality pocket watches and also began to make wristwatches in the early 20th century.

In the 1940s, Girard-Perregaux produced some of the first modern-style wristwatches, which featured a larger case and more prominent lugs. The company also pioneered the development of high-frequency movements, which increased the accuracy of their watches.

In the 1960s, Girard-Perregaux introduced the Gyromatic, more... a self-winding movement that was more accurate and reliable than previous models. The company also produced some of the first watches with a quartz movement in the 1970s. In 1975, Girard-Perregaux launched the Laureato, one of the first companies to offer a sporty elegant model equipped with an octagonal bezel and an integrated steel bracelet.

Throughout the 20th century, Girard-Perregaux continued to innovate and produce high-quality watches, and in 1992, the company released the first wristwatch with a tourbillon movement.

Girard-Perregaux is known for its precision timepieces and luxurious designs. The company continues to innovate with new materials and technologies, and it remains one of the most respected names in the watch industry. less...