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Girard-Perregaux 42.4
Automatic · 11.5‴ · Switzerland · 1970
Dimensions
26 mm
Height
5.30mm
Jewels
39
Power reserve
40h
Timegrapher
Beat rate
36,000bph
Frequency
5Hz
Lift angle
52°
Reference: healthy amplitude ≈ 270–315° fully wound (>200° at 24 h); beat error ideally < 0.5 ms.
Movement
| Movement type |
Automatic
Mechanical movements fitted with an oscillating rotor that winds the mainspring through the wearer's natural motion. Invented by Abraham-Louis Perrelet around 1777 for pocket watches and adapted to the wristwatch by John Harwood in 1923, it combines traditional craftsmanship with everyday convenience.
|
|---|---|
| Winding type |
Automatic (Rotor-Driven)
Self-winding via a rotor whose motion winds the mainspring through a transmission gear train. The specific rotor configuration (central, micro, peripheral, bumper) is catalogued separately under Rotor Type. Standard on the vast majority of mechanical wristwatches since the mid-20th century.
|
| Setting type |
Stem Set (Crown Pull)
The dominant modern system: pulling the crown out to a setting position engages the hand-setting mechanism. Introduced in the late 19th century and refined into multi-position crowns (date, time, GMT). Used in virtually all modern wristwatches and most 20th-century pocket watches.
|
| Escapement type |
Swiss Lever
The undisputed standard of modern mechanical watchmaking. Through an elegant interplay between escape wheel, pallet fork, and balance, it delivers reliable impulses with the safety of 'draw' to keep the lever locked. Refined since the 18th century, it powers almost every quality mechanical wristwatch made today.
|
| Control type |
Balance Wheel
The heart of mechanical timepieces, the balance wheel is an oscillating component that, together with the hairspring, forms a harmonic oscillator regulating the gear train's pace. Its steady back-and-forth motion ensures the even release of energy from the mainspring, governing the watch's accuracy.
|
| Regulator type |
Pinned Regulator (or Index Regulator)
The most traditional regulator, consisting of a movable index pointer fitted with two curb pins (or a pin and a boot) that embrace the hairspring. Sliding the index along its scale changes the spring's active length, adjusting the rate. Simple, reliable, and easy to service, it remains the workhorse standard across countless mechanical movements.
|
| Rotor type |
Central Rotor
The most common automatic winding rotor, mounted on the central axis of the movement and rotating a full 360°. Industrialized by Rolex with the Perpetual system in 1931 and refined throughout the 20th century, it offers excellent winding efficiency and remains the de facto standard for automatic wristwatches, whether winding in one or both directions.
|
| Shock protection |
Incabloc
The most famous and widely used shock protection system in horology. Invented in 1934 by Georges Braunschweig and Fritz Marti at Universal Escapements (La Chaux-de-Fonds), it employs a lyre-shaped spring holding the jewel setting, allowing it to shift under impact and return to position. Adopted by countless Swiss makers across the 20th century.
|
Specifications
| Lignes | 11.5‴ |
|---|---|
| Shape |
Round
It is the most common form that we can find.
|
| Complications |
Sweep Second
Contrary to the ticking motion of quartz watches, the sweep second hand in mechanical watches moves smoothly around the dial, offering a visual representation of time flowing continuously. This has become synonymous with the precision and craft of mechanical horology.
,
Date
An essential for many, the date display reminds wearers of their daily commitments, connecting the abstract concept of time to tangible daily events.
,
Chronograph Stopwatch
Functionality meets style as this feature allows wearers to measure specific time intervals, embodying the blend of everyday utility with sophisticated design.
|
| Hand count | 3 |
| Hand sizes | 1.50 x 0.90 x 0.21mm |
| Further measures | Mounting Diameter (Dm): 25.6mm Stem height (T): 2.0mm Mounting Height (F): 1.4mm |
Origin & References
| Manufacturer | Girard-Perregaux |
|---|---|
| Country | Switzerland |
| Launch year | 1970 |
| In-house | No |
| COSC certified | No |
| Signature | ca. 1970: 40117 (Chronometer), 36000 A/h, 421799, Girard-Perregaux, Gyromatic, Swiss, 39 Jewels; Incabloc
(Girard-Perregaux 42.1) |
| US import codes |
Notes
Remarks: ball-bearing rotor
automatic with two roller freewheels
worm screw regulation gear
The family is based on the manual wind calibre AS 1687/1688.
The automatic mechanism is a joint development of Doxa, Eberhard, Favre-Leuba, Girard-Perregaux, and Zodiac.
differences not known between 42.0, 42.1, 42.4
Other data: balance staff: U3371 stem: W3304 mainspring / battery: 1.10 x 10.0 x 0.11mm
Ranfft mentioned about this caliber: There are variants with this quantity of jewels 17, 39
automatic with two roller freewheels
worm screw regulation gear
The family is based on the manual wind calibre AS 1687/1688.
The automatic mechanism is a joint development of Doxa, Eberhard, Favre-Leuba, Girard-Perregaux, and Zodiac.
differences not known between 42.0, 42.1, 42.4
Other data: balance staff: U3371 stem: W3304 mainspring / battery: 1.10 x 10.0 x 0.11mm
Ranfft mentioned about this caliber: There are variants with this quantity of jewels 17, 39
Family
Series 30 - .4
first generation
30: manual wind
31: automatic
32: automatic, date
33: manual wind, date
suffix A, .5, .7: 36000A/h
escapement and setting mechanism redesigned, hack feature
40: manual wind
41: automatic
42: automatic, date
43: manual wind, date
suffix .1, .4: 36000A/h
30: manual wind
31: automatic
32: automatic, date
33: manual wind, date
suffix A, .5, .7: 36000A/h
escapement and setting mechanism redesigned, hack feature
40: manual wind
41: automatic
42: automatic, date
43: manual wind, date
suffix .1, .4: 36000A/h
Related calibers
Girard-Perregaux 30
Girard-Perregaux 30.09
Girard-Perregaux 30.4
Girard-Perregaux 30.5
Girard-Perregaux 30.6
Girard-Perregaux 30.7
Girard-Perregaux 31
Girard-Perregaux 31.09
Girard-Perregaux 31.19
Girard-Perregaux 31.29
Girard-Perregaux 31.4
Girard-Perregaux 31.5
Girard-Perregaux 31.7
Girard-Perregaux 31.8
Girard-Perregaux 31.9
Girard-Perregaux 31A
Girard-Perregaux 32
Girard-Perregaux 32.09
Girard-Perregaux 32.19
Girard-Perregaux 32.29
Girard-Perregaux 32.4
Girard-Perregaux 32.5
Girard-Perregaux 32.7
Girard-Perregaux 32.8
Girard-Perregaux 32.9
Girard-Perregaux 32A
Girard-Perregaux 33
Girard-Perregaux 33.09
Girard-Perregaux 33.5
Girard-Perregaux 33.6
Girard-Perregaux 33.7
Girard-Perregaux 40.0
Girard-Perregaux 41.0
Girard-Perregaux 42.0
Girard-Perregaux 42.1
Girard-Perregaux 42.2
Girard-Perregaux 42.3
Girard-Perregaux 42.4
Girard-Perregaux 43.0
Compatible Parts
3 other catalog sources can supply compatible parts for this caliber.
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