The retrofuturistic Girard-Perregaux Casquette 2.0 is back with another limited edition, sporting touches of shiny gold
Borna Bošnjak- Girard-Perregaux introduces the fourth rendition of the revived Casquette 2.0 in titanium and 18k 2N yellow gold.
- The flat-link bracelet’s unique profile also includes a soft, rubber-lined backing and perfectly integrates into the 1970s space-age case.
- At US$4,960, it remains one of the most expensive quartz watches, and is a limited edition once again, restricted to 820 pieces.
Since it was first revived for in 2021, Girard-Perregaux has released a limited-edition Casquette 2.0 variant several times now. What started with a piece unique for Only Watch 2021 and also saw two collabs with Saint Laurent now takes the shape of a titanium and gold piece, as the Girard-Perregaux Casquette 2.0 Titanium and Gold. Rather than completely overhaul the design, the latest Casquette (French for “cap”) merely adds a touch of gold to its super-retro LED digital display.
Peeking out from inside the cap, the display is simplistic, showing just the hours and minutes in red against a dark backdrop. At the push of a button, however, you can select a few more options – more on which shortly. Even though the display has plenty of protection already owing to the case design, Girard-Perregaux has fitted it with a sapphire crystal – just in case.
Turning to the side, you get a hint of why it might be challenging to figure out how the Casquette wears by simply reading the spec sheet. As far as the dimensions go, they’re 33.6mm in width, 14.64mm in height, and 42.4mm lug-t0-lug, but come on – this isn’t a round, time-only watch that we’re talking about. Regardless of your wrist size and the Casquette’s form-fitting caseback, the monolithic design is an eye-catching proposition.
As far as materials go, the watch is called the Casquette 2.0 Titanium and Gold, though the latter part is only limited to the Girard-Perregaux logo inset into the top of the case, and the two pushers integrated into the case flanks. The rest of the watch is lightweight titanium, though GP notes the two-tone look was inspired by some of the Casquette 2.0’s bi-colour, gold-plated predecessors.
The single-link titanium bracelet is as much a part of the wearing experience as the case. While it’s not integrated per se, I think the watch and bracelet absolutely belong together. It follows the rich brushing found on the case, but flips the direction to horizontal, with the sides and bevels of each link in a high polish to match the case’s. Most interestingly, the bracelet is lined with rubber, and the consideration of the wearer’s comfort also extends to the folding clasp with integrated micro-adjustment.
Finally, we have to touch on the movement, as it’s what makes this quirky proposition tick (pun not intended nor applicable in this case). The GP3980-1474 is battery-powered and quartz-regulated, vibrating away at 32,768 Hz – the mineral’s natural frequency. Unlike the movement found in the 1970s watch, the Casquette 2.0 also tells you the month and year, second time zone, and can be used as a chronograph. Funnily enough, the GP3980-1474 can actually be retrofitted into the original Casquette in case the original can’t be serviced. It also sports a “secret date” function, which allows the user to specify any date to flash on the screen once per day for 20 seconds at a time of your choosing. Gimmicky? Perhaps. On brand with the watch? Absolutely.
Girard-Perregaux Casquette 2.0 Titanium and Gold pricing and availability
The Girard-Perregaux Casquette 2.0 Titanium and Gold is a limited edition of 820 pieces. Price: US$4,960
Brand | Girard-Perregaux |
Model | Casquette 2.0 Titanium and Gold |
Case Dimensions | 33.6mm (W) x 14.64mm (T) x 42.4mm (LTL) |
Case Material | Titanium, 18k 2N yellow gold |
Water Resistance | 50 metres |
Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
Dial | Tubular LED display |
Bracelet | Titanium bracelet with rubber lining, folding clasp with micro-adjust |
Movement | GP3980-1474, quartz |
Power Reserve | N/A |
Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, day, date, month, year, chronograph, second time zone, secret date |
Availability | Limited to 820 pieces |
Price | US$4,960 |