After LED-like displays had a moment a few years ago, we’ve seen a period of digital quiet. Girard-Perregaux turns the tide with a final edition of the Casquette 2.0 in Grade 5 titanium, with a celebratory touch of 18K yellow gold.

Many of us have a soft spot for the unflinchingly creative approach to wristwear from the seventies. But in an age of brash colours and sleek 18K bracelets, Girard-Perregaux chose a different, futurist path with the trailblazing Casquette. 

The wild Makrolon beginnings

As a Manufacture, Girard-Perregaux has a rich back catalogue that includes the Laureato and haute horology pieces like the top tier Three Bridges. But when a wind of futurism swept the industry in 1976, Girard-Perregaux went all out with what looked like Darth Vader’s dress watch, the “Casquette”, meaning helmet in French. And it had all the qualities of a future-proofed driver’s watch with its side-facing display. 

The name Casquette was adopted from the nickname coined by its many avid fans, and as many as 8,200 were produced up to 1978. With a tubular LED display powered by a groundbreaking quartz movement, the case was available in the then space-age material Makrolon, a type of polycarbonate, weighty steel or seventies-glam gold plate. It has remained a cult classic, and in 2021, the fans finally saw a glowing LED light at the end of a helmet-shaped (sorry) tunnel, thanks to George Bamford.

A pièce unique collab that inspired a rebirth of cool

Before Girard-Perregaux revived the sci-fi watch, George Bamford partnered with GP to design a single inspirational watch for the 2021 Only Watch auction. The all-black look united the swirling organic pattern of a tech-forward forged carbon case with a black alligator-embossed leather strap. The case back was titanium, and the clasp was ceramic with titanium blades.

George tells us more about this emotional project: “I love how the Casquette sits differently on your wrist. The evolution of the Casquette has been next level, like how the bracelet works. You read the time on a Casquette; you don’t tell the time. I love that idea. I just think, “what a watch” and I’m sad that today’s realease is final edition. There could be so many others. Collaborating on this watch was an indescribable honour and an unforgettable experience “. This proves how heartfelt a connection many collectors have with the Casquette, and annihilating the top CHF 20,000 estimate with a CHF 80,000 final bid proved it.

The Casquette 2.0 and its sartorial YSL variation

After the organic chic of the swirly Bamford edition, Girard-Perregaux stepped up in 2022 with a Vader-esque version of the Casquette in all-black. This, the first version of the Casquette 2.0, had a scratch-proof ceramic case and titanium case back. And just as Bamford’s version, powered by a much-improved modern quartz movement, the GP03980, weighing a svelte 107g. It offered a new and stealthier take on the OG seventies braceleted futurism, with its ceramic bracelet lined with soft rubber. And therein lies its charm, in embracing today’s tech like titanium and ceramic, it doesn’t just reprise a seventies grail, it set the bar higher for innovation. 

In 2023, we were treated to an even deeper dive into stealth-ism as Girard-Perregaux levelled up the Casquette 2.0. This came courtesy of Saint Laurent Creative Director Anthony Vaccarello for the Saint Laurent Rive Droite line. The Girard-Perregaux Casquette 2.0 x Saint Laurent had the same satin ceramic finish, but it completed the look with a suave black PVD titanium case back and details accenting the case and bracelet. 

Celebrating a big moment in time for Girard-Perregaux

The third and last Casquette 2.0 comes right on time. We finally have a resurgence of modernist designs, while the retro wave of sixties divers and integrated bracelets persists. With small brands like Amida offering a Casquette-like vibe but mechanically powered and Urwerk working the top end of the spectrum with their stealthy brawn, this final edition of the Casquette comes right on time. Girard-Perregaux taps into a zeitgeist of desiring shapely, different wristwear rather than another diver’s tool watch.

We can easily see the cool kid of 1976 success be reprised, as many still have a soft spot for the spaced-out wrist helmet. When the revived Casquette 2.0 succeeded in 2022, it was for good reasons. The sleek 42.4mm × 33.6mm size fits perfectly with today’s small zeitgeist, and the bracelet of the 2.0 is tapered and integrated, just like the doctor ordered. The Casquette 2.0 is today released in subtly brushed titanium with discreet pops of 18K yellow gold as the ultimate limited edition with a production run of 820 pieces.

The Casquette 2.0 is equipped with the Calibre GP03980, which displays the hours, minutes, seconds, day, and date like the original. But now, the vintage-looking LED display also indicates the month, year, chronograph, second time zone, and secret date. Incidentally, the Calibre GP03980 can be retrofitted to the first-generation models from 1976, sidestepping obsolescence. This makes the OG Casquette perhaps the oldest serviceable quartz watches around today. 

Like the Laureato, the name ‘Casquette’ was conceived by the community and adopted by the Maison. In recognition of the support and friendship, Girard-Perregaux is, therefore, prioritizing GP fans and owners with an exclusive drop from October 31st to November 14th. The watch will be available for everyone in select Girard-Perregaux boutiques and retailers from 15th November. Anyone with a Girard-Perregaux watch can gain exclusive priority access through www.girard-perregaux.com and discover where to purchase this new release.

Tech Specs: Girard-Perregaux Casquette 2.0  (Final edition)

Movement: GP3980-1474 Quartz movement
Functions: Hours and minutes; seconds; day; date; month; year; chronograph; second time zone; secret date
Case: 42.4mm × 33.6mm (14.64mm thick); titanium with 18K yellow gold GP logo and pushers; water-resistant to 50m
Dial: Tubular LED display
Strap: Titanium bracelet with rubber lining and micro adjustment system on buckle
Price: CHF 4,390 (world price); CHF 4,750 (RRP)
Availability: Limited edition of 820 pieces