La Chaux de Fonds-based GP Perregaux launched its now iconic Girard-Perregaux GP 1966 watches in stainless steel version. Is displayed in the case of a 40 mm x 8.9 mm, this is the first time in 1966 to provide steel.

The opaline silvered dial of the 1966 is uncluttered and easy to read, with leaf-shaped hour and minute hands and a thin seconds hand. A window at 3 o’clock indicates the date. Beveled steel indices mark the hour, along with black dots that indicate minutes and seconds.

Protecting the dial is a slightly curved, nonreflective sapphire crystal. The caseback also has a sapphire crystal, showing off the in-house automatic movement that powers the functions.

Beneath the dial, finished to a high-level, is caliber GP03300-0030, which beats at 28,8000 vph (4 Hz) and offers a 46-hour power reserve. The movement features 27 jewels, perlage decoration on the mainplate and côtes de Genève stripes on the bridges. The steel rotor is decorated with a circular côtes de Genève finish.

According to Girard-Perregaux, “The collection… was launched as a tribute the year 1966 when it included the first high-frequency movement, with a balance beating at a frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour. This discovery radically transformed the world of timekeeping. The same year, the Manufacture won several awards at the Centennial Awards held at the Observatory of Neuchatel.” Scroll down for more photos of the new steel 1966 models.

The Girard-Perregaux 1966 in stainless steel is $7,500 on alligator strap (Ref. 49555-11-131-BB60) and $8,200 on a steel bracelet (Ref. 49555-11-131-11A – steel bracelet). It is available in stores now.