Girard Perregaux Tribute to José Froilán González and Ferrari
Just released are images of the Girard Perregaux Tribute to José Froilán González, a little piece of F1 history for the wrist. It commemorates the moment when José Froilán González put one over his team mate and nipped in to take a very famous victory - Ferrari's first ever F1 World Championship win. The race in question was the 1951 British Grand Prix, the car was the Ferrari 375 F1, and the shunned and stunned team mate? The legendary Alberto Ascari.
The location of the victory, the historical Silverstone track of 1951 is replicated on the back of the piece along with a superb image of the winning car.
Girard-Perregaux and Ferrari are not strangers. The two brands were in cahoots for a decade when GP were timing partners for the Ferrari F1 team from 1994 to 2004, a courtship set asunder by the amorous advances of another Italian icon, Panerai, an all too brief encounter and one which has been superseded by Cabestan and Hublot. The late Luigi Macaluso and his son Stefano, the men responsible for the recent success of Girard-Perregaux, both Italian, have each been racers and car enthusiasts, so it is perhaps befitting that this special watch should come from the design department of a very historical brand which has been intrinsically linked with Ferrari - and of course, they know how to produce a magnificent chronograph.
The piece measures 43mm and is constructed from stainless steel. Functions are hours, minutes, chronograph with inverted pushpieces, internal rotating bezel, pointer date, day/night indicator and small seconds - all neatly presented, all readable and functional - the mark of good design. Inside is the Girard-Perregaux GP33CO automatic chronograph movement with power reserve of 46 hours.
José Froilán González although a talented driver, is considered to be one who never reached his full potential his career having been overshadowed by both Fangio and also by the death of his fellow countryman, Onofre Marimón in 1954. Having driven racing cars in a time when the driver was almost considered to be an expendable entity, we are pleased to report that the man himself was able to accept his 00/60 numbered watch in person at a special presentation.
The Girard Perregaux Tribute to José Froilán González comes presented on a black rubber strap and will be a limited editon of 60 pieces.
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