Oenophiles and horophiles have much in common: their love of history and heritage that goes into every bottle of wine or watch case; the importance of provenance and the joy of adding increasingly-rare examples to their cellars and watch cabinets.
Girard-Perregaux is recognizing this intersection of fine wine and watches in the creation of the 1966 Château Latour Edition watch.
This slim and elegant timepiece is not merely a watch but a convergence of nearly 1,000 years of history, showcasing the unique terroir of Bordeaux’s Château Latour and the precision craftsmanship of Girard-Perregaux.
Girard-Perregaux, with a lineage dating back to 1791, has consistently pursued horological excellence. Notable milestones, have included winning the chronometry prize at the Neuchatel Observatory in 1867 and securing a gold medal in Paris in 1889.
The 1966 collection, born out of a Centenary prize, exemplifies elegance, simplicity, and timeless styling.
Château Latour, founded in 1331 and located 50km north-west of Bordeaux, echoes a similar commitment to excellence as one of viniculture’s five ‘Premiers Crus Classes’ from the Médoc region.
The unique terroir, with its mild climate and geological complexity, plays a crucial role in shaping the distinct flavor of Château Latour’s wines.
Since 1993, Château Latour has incidentally been owned by François Pinault, founder of the luxury group Kering, which until 2022’s management buyout, also owned Girard-Perregax.
This collaboration underscores the parallel narratives of excellence, history, and a deep connection to their respective origins.
Girard-Perregaux’s artisans have painstakingly crafted each dial of the 1966 Château Latour Edition, using pebbles sourced from the Château Latour vineyard.
Pebbles are considered important to the grape-growing and ripening process: warming in the sunshine of the day and slowly releasing that heat overnight.
Girard-Perregaux carefully cuts and grinds pebble from the vineyard to a thickness of 0.45mm, before mounting it on a brass base to achieve a total thickness of 0.7mm.
Each dial, a unique piece of art, undergoes 30 hours of work, ensuring exclusivity and a lasting allure.
Frederic Engerer, CEO of Artemis Domaines and Château Latour, acknowledges the collaboration’s artistic synergy, stating: “Objects of beauty and works of art surpass mere functionality. They harness beauty, patience, know-how, and the passion imparted by those people who contribute to this excellence.”
The 1966 Château Latour Edition’s pink-gold case, measuring 40mm in diameter and 9.4mm in height, complements the bewitching complexion of the pebble dial.
The golden leaf-shaped hour and minute hands harmonize with the slender indices, the center seconds hand, and the simple date display at 3 o’clock.
On the reverse of the watch, a sapphire-crystal caseback, bearing the Château Latour logo, reveals the Calibre GP03300, a self-winding movement that is exquisitely finished, locally sourced components.
A case of Château Latour 1er cru classé can sell for up to $6,000 at auction.
GP’s 1966 Château Latour Edition costs CHF36,000.
Just 18 numbered pieces will be made and these will be exclusively available to private guests of the Château Latour estate and the Villa Girard-Perregaux in La Chaux-de-Fonds — two destinations that should be on the bucket list for every wine and watch lover.
In the words of Patrick Pruniaux, CEO of Girard-Perregaux: “We share much in common with Château Latour… a rich history, ancestral savoir-faire, and a recognition that terroir is key to product excellence. I am delighted to work with one of the most prestigious vineyards in the world.”
