Girard-Perregaux R&D 01 Chronograph Pour L.P. Luxury Watch Review

http://www.thewatchbox.com/watches/girard-perregaux The Girard-Perregaux R&D 01 Chronograph “Pour L.P.” limited edition of 250 watches is rooted in the story of two consummate “watch guys.” Former Girard-Perregaux owner Luigi Macaluso is the obvious one; Laurent Picciotto is the other. Picciotto, or “L.P.” is better known as the flamboyant owner of celebrated Paris high horology boutique, Chronopassion. thewatchbox.com’s example is one of only 250- produced in 2007 to celebrate the Girard-Perregaux manufacture’s special relationship with Laurent Picciotto and Chronopassion. As a champion of mechanical watches since before they were cool (1988, to be precise) Picciotto’s Chronopassion boutique has flown the flag for Switzerland’s finest on Paris’ Rue Saint Honoré for decades. Normally an irrepressible presence and personality (he’s the first image you encounter on Chronopassion’s website), Picciotto’s oblique dedication on the R&D 01’s caseback, “Pour L.P.” reads as something of an ironic inside joke between the man himself and his friends at Girard-Perregaux. A massive 43mm black steel case sets the tone for the entire watch. Its imposing size and strong lines accentuate the basic R&D 01 model’s unconventional “inverted” chronograph and “F1 Intake” crown guard at 4:00. The black dial, yellow accents, and silkscreened sapphire display caseback are unique to this edition. Girard-Perregaux equips this limited edition R&D 01 chronograph with a color-coordinated black natu