In December, at the international launch for the all new Girard-Perregaux Hawk sport watch collection (which consists of the redesigned Sea Hawk, pictured, the all new Chrono Hawk and the Sea Hawk FOReverglades, we photographed and discussed the new collection with global CEO, Michele Sofisti.
PROFESSIONAL WATCHES: Why is a sport watch important to a high-end watch brand such as Girard-Perregaux, especially considering they are rarely used in actual sporting events nowadays?
Michele Sofisti: A Sea Hawk can go down 1,000 meters, I doubt that somebody will take it even 10 meters maybe, or 50 meters. It can do it. But it is more a kind of a lifestyle, an expression of your personality.
PW: Are there any plans to use titanium or ceramic in future Hawk timepieces?
MS: Absolutely. In Basel, we will present the Chrono and Sea Hawk in ceramic. We are also developing new materials.
PW: Are there any plans to add additional functions to future models in the Hawk collection?
MS: Yes. We wanted to start easy, we wanted to start with something solid, the chronograph and the power reserve movement. We already have plans for more complications.
PW: Such as?
MS: Integrated chrono, integrated chrono foudryante.
The Sea Hawk moniker has been around since the 1940s to designate high water-resistance models. The new collection is a redesign of the current Sea Hawk, which first came out in 2002. Many elements of the Sea Hawk are unchanged: 44 mm steel case, 1,000 meters depth rating, uni-directional bezel, integrated crown guard, screwed case back, helium escape valve, in-house Girard-Perregaux movement and a crown positioned at 4 o’clock (a signature feature which makes the watch more comfortable because the crown is offset and, therefore, does not dig into your wrist like a crown at 3 o’clock tends to do). What has changed, though, is the case design, the dial and the hands. The biggest change being the new case which has sharp octagonal edges combined with a round bezel for a very modern look.
A case is brushed stainless with a bezel is accented by black rubber on the bezel for the black dial version (steel bezel for the model with a grey dial), the octagonal ring under that secures the bezel and the crown. The dial has motif designed to look like the emblematic Girard-Perregaux Bridge. The hands and markers are large and have been coated with luminescent material for excellent legibility. Anti-reflective sapphire crystal ensures high visibility of the dial in all lighting conditions. The minute, second and power reserve hands are highlighted in orange making them easy to distinguish at a glance. The date is displayed through a 45-degree angled aperture in between 1 and 2 o’clock.
Equipped with 27 jewels automatic, caliber GP3300, beating at a rate of 28,8000 vph (4hz), the Sea Hawk has a maximum power reserve of 46-hours. Functions include hour, minute, date, small second, power reserve indicator. The strap is in black rubber with steel folding buckle. Available in black dial (shown), grey dial and FOReverglades limited edition).
The Sea Hawk is a true Diver’s watch, and it easily meets the ISO 6425 depth rating requirement, which is 330 ft minimum (or 100 meters). It is ten times more water-resistant, actually. Plus, it of course, meets the other requirements: time controller (uni-directional bezel), luminosity, shock resistance, anti-magnetism and band solidity.
Ref. 49960-11-131-FK6A (grey dial, steel bezel)
Ref. 49960-19-631-FK6A (black dial, rubber bezel)
Final Thought
At 44 mm in diameter by 17.10 mm thick, the Sea Hawk is a substantial watch, however, the position of the crown at 4 ‘clock makes it significantly more comfortable — on the wrist — than a similarly sized watch with the crown at the traditional 3 o’clock position. Furthermore, the placement of the crown gives this watch its signature look. Overall, the redesigned Sea Hawk takes the good elements from the outgoing model and presents it modernized package. (Retail $11,350 – grey or black dial, $12,500 – FOReverglades)