Time Capsule Splash: Girard-Perregaux Revives the Revolutionary Deep Diver
The Missing Link in Sports Watch Evolution
Girard-Perregaux boldly reminds collectors of its rich 234-year heritage with the Deep Diver Legacy Edition—a vibrant reinterpretation that challenges the notion that the brand is limited to just Laureato and Bridges collections.
This limited release, created in collaboration with Bamford Watch Department, resurrects a significant piece of horological history that occupies a pivotal position in the evolution of sports watches.
Time Capsule Splash
Dating back to 1969, the original Deep Diver emerged during the tail end of the dive watch boom and presciently featured design elements that would define the integrated sports watch revolution of the following decades.
Its distinctive 14-sided bezel and quasi-industrial aesthetic predated Gerald Genta’s iconic Royal Oak (1972) and Nautilus (1976), positioning it as the evolutionary bridge between traditional dive watches and the luxury sports watches that would soon dominate the market—including GP’s own Laureato in 1975.
This modern incarnation combines design elements from both the 1969 original case and a 1971 dial variant, resulting in a cushion-shaped Grade 5 titanium case measuring 40.3mm × 38mm with 200m water resistance. The radial-brushed finish contrasts beautifully with the polished 14-sided bezel, while dual crowns serve distinct functions—time setting at 4 o’clock and internal dive scale rotation at 2 o’clock.
The dial delivers an exuberant color explosion that perfectly captures 1970s retro-futurism. A central orange disc is surrounded by a white, cog-shaped minute scale featuring orange hour markers on each tooth, with dark blue filling the gaps between. This vibrant arrangement is completed by a slightly lighter blue dive scale around the periphery—evoking vintage pool-side posters and the bold color blocking characteristic of the era.
Mechanical Heritage And Modern Execution
Beneath the surface aesthetics, the Deep Diver Legacy Edition houses Girard-Perregaux’s manufacture calibre GP03300, an automatic movement with a 46-hour power reserve. This self-winding mechanism maintains thematic continuity with the original Deep Diver, which featured GP’s revolutionary Gyromatic winding system—a significant advancement in winding efficiency at the time.
The movement is visible through an innovative translucent blue exhibition caseback decorated with a trident motif. The caliber itself showcases meticulous finishing techniques including circular and straight Côtes de Genève, polished bevels and screws, circular graining, and gilded engravings—elevating the timepiece beyond mere nostalgic homage.
Limited to just 350 pieces and priced at £12,900, the Deep Diver Legacy Edition is available through Girard-Perregaux’s retail network and Bamford Watch Department’s online platform. The watch comes fitted with a blue rubber strap featuring a quick-release system and includes an additional orange rubber strap for even more visual impact.
What makes this release particularly noteworthy is Girard-Perregaux’s willingness to venture beyond safe commercial territory. Rather than producing another Laureato variant, the brand has embraced risk with this colorful, historically significant reissue. The subtle Bamford logo below the central hand stack is balanced by a retro version of GP’s emblem above it, creating a harmonious blend of past and present.
For collectors seeking vibrant design with historical significance, the Deep Diver Legacy Edition offers a compelling combination of retro-futuristic aesthetics, mechanical pedigree, and the distinction of owning the “missing link” in sports watch evolution—a timepiece that bridges two defining eras in horological design while making a bold contemporary statement.
