When the first quartz technology hit the market in the late 1960s it opened up a futuristic new world of opportunity, inspiring watchmakers to not only rethink their timekeeping but bring the look of their products right up to date. The decade that followed spawned some of the most out-there designs seen for the wrist, which today hold a deliciously retro appeal. Despite its traditional heritage, Girard-Perregaux was among these first pioneers. And leading the way in 1976 was a state-of-the-art quartz watch nicknamed the Casquette, making an impact with its idiosyncratic, angular silhouette and cutting-edge LED display. 

For a while it seemed confined to the annals of history, but last year was given a well overdue revival in the form of a one-off watch produced in collaboration with Bamford Watch Department in aid of the charity auction Only Watch. Interestingly, the watch featured a new quartz movement, the Calibre GP03980-1474, marking a big investment for such a unique piece. 

Now its motivations have become clear, as it gets an outing in the new Casquette 2.0, limited to 820 pieces, in a nod to the original seventies design of which 8,200 were produced over its lifetime. It retains the striking aesthetic of those first models, albeit rendered in a contemporary scratch-resistant ceramic case complete with Grade 5 titanium caseback. Both these materials have been chosen for their hard-wearing but lightweight nature, offering optimal comfort. 

Functionality wise, there’s also some modern updates as well as an intriguing hidden surprise. The watch displays the expected hours, minutes, seconds, day and date, but now also comes equipped with a chronograph and handy second time zone. The time is shown on demand, activated via the pushers, preserving the longevity of the battery. And, in a truly personal finishing touch, the wearer can specify a special date (for example an anniversary) to be displayed at a certain time each day. 

girard-perregaux.com