We always talk about the Quartz Crisis, when battery-operated watches dethroned mechanics as if it were a great tragedy. However, the meeting of batteries with wristwatches has made significant contributions to the realization of designs that push the limits of creativity.
One of the most striking watches among these designs was the Casquette by Girard Perregaux. The Driver's Watch themed model showed the time via a red digital display. This technological innovation, which can be considered quite ordinary for today's standards, was exposed to a great deal of interest in the years it was introduced.
You know, especially watch brands love to renew and update their older designs. Casquette 2.0 is one of the last examples of this trend. Unlike the original model, which was produced in a limited edition of 8,400 between 1976 and 1978, the new model is limited to only 840 units, which all are sold in a blink.
The watch comes with a ceramic case measuring 42.4mm x 33.6mm x 14.64mm and a titanium case back. Water-resistant to 50 meters, the watch is available on a rubber/ceramic combo bracelet. Casquette 2.0 is powered by the quartz Caliber GP3980-1474 offering calendar, chronograph, and second time zone display features as well as timekeeping. The model weighs 107 grams in total.
I guess there will be a stainless steel case version of the model soon as I don't think Girard Perregaux will use this unique movement, or rather this electronic circuit, in a model that will only be available in a limited number of 840 units. Now let's see what we can have from the current watches that have witnessed Switzerland's digital quartz revolution.
One of my favorite watches in this category is the Hamilton PSR American Classic Digital Quartz. Equipped with a stainless steel case measuring 40.8mm x 34.7mm x 13.3mm, the watch has 100 meters of water resistance and an extremely affordable price tag compared to Girard Perregaux. If you wish, you can also go for the Matrix special version of the same watch with a black case/bracelet and green screen, which was produced in a limited edition of 1999.
Another remarkable model in the same class is the Bulova Computron. The stainless steel case model has gray, black, and gold color options, while you can choose between red and blue for the screen. Water-resistant to 30 meters, the watch creates a successful alternative for those who want to be different at an affordable price.
Do you need an extraordinary watch? Are you looking for a Swiss-Made digital model? Then let me introduce you to the Ventura Sparc series. Powered by a battery that charges with an oscillating rotor, the model is a Red Dot Design award-winning masterpiece. The Sparc series, launched under the names MGS and Sigma MGS, impresses with its angled case design and unique movement.
