My 1997 Girard Perregaux Ferrari model 8020 chronograph wristwatch

I had one of these and it's the only watch I really regret selling....
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Reviving this old thread for a watch and 8020 noob.

Are all the chronographs meant to reset to the 12 o’clock position? Also, my chrono never seems to stop counting. That can’t be right.

https://youtube.com/shorts/LzVhA1GBzyA

thanks for any help, gentlemen.

 

I should only answer for the 8020 since other chronographs may operate differently (although I doubt it).

If the YouTube video you posted is of your watch, your chronograph module is working correctly. The subdial at 3:00 PM is a continuous count of seconds for the watch and is independent of the chrono module. It does not stop. The dials at 6:00 and 9:00 are minute and hour counters for the chrono module so reset to zero when the lower reset button is pressed along with the large sweep second hand.

As an aside, the GP8020 chrono module is connected to the main movement using a vertical clutch. I am told this configuration does not have the wear problems of a horizontal clutch and so the sweep second hand of the chrono module can be kept running constantly without affecting the longevity of the mechanism.

 

I just checked on my 8020. What I see on Youtube is all perfect. The chrono on the 3'o clock position is running permanently and that's fine.

Best

 

Hi Brian,
you are right, but it affects the power reserve significantly. I suppose it lessens the running time at least 50%.

Best from Germany
Martin

 

Gracias for the fast and helpful reply, gentlemen. Genuinely.

 

I suppose, but the reserve still is sufficient that the watch never stops if worn every day (which is only theoretical to me because my 8020 is always stopped when I pull it out of my watch box!)

Glad to help.

By the way, you have an absolutely gorgeous watch! Martin and I both own black faced 8020, but your blue face watch is spectacular too. (I already had a different watch with a similar blue face from another manufacturer so didn't want to get a second blue. It is a fantastic color though!)

 

Thank you so much! I psyched to own it.

Couple questions: judging from the serial number — 8733 - is possible to roughly date the watch?

Is the second hand irrelevant to the current time? I ask because it gets reset with the chrono.


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I can't comment on the year other than to say that Ferrari changed partnership from GP to Panerai in 2004. I guess I can also say that my 1997 8020 has a much lower serial number than yours. If you have the "papers" for the watch, the warranty card or owner's manual or something should show the date.

Regarding the big second hand that sweeps around the main face of the watch, it is part of the chronograph and is not related to the time of day. As you've already seen, you can stop and start the big second hand with the chronograph pushers. Only small subdial at the three o'clock position is the clock second hand.

If you want to get fanatical about setting the time, the GP 8020 has a "hacking" mechanism. That means that all hands stop when you fully pull out the crown. What you can do is find a precise clock somewhere (atomic synchronized or, gulp, accurately set quartz), pull out the crown, set the time to a few seconds ahead of the precise clock, and then briskly push in the crown to start the hands at the correct moment. Depending on your reflexes, your GP8020 will be precisely coordinated within a fraction of a second of the atomic clock ... until the next morning by which time all mechanical watches either gain or lose a tiny bit of time.

 

Has anyone found out what is the beat rate of the GP 8020? Is it as fast as 36,000 A/h movement which GP became famous for in 1966, or something slower like the common 21,600 or 28,800 A/h? Thx