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a veritable diverīs instrument - the Sea Hawk Professional
water-resistant to 3.000m /9.900 ft (introduced 2004)
Introduction
The Sea Hawk models by Girard-Perregaux form a line of decidedly sporty watches with a more technical construction.
All of them come with highly water-resistant cases, screw-down crowns and backs, and a sporty look, with highly legible dials and
luminescent hands and markers. At the same time, these watches offer elegant lines and thus are the pillar of the "Sport Classique" range.
The name of the model range may indicate "classic", which relies on "tradition".
And tradition is a specific, but often overlooked aspect of the Sea Hawk by Girard-Perregaux. With a history that spans more than six decades, it may be worth having a closer look.
Sea Hawk, early 1940īs
Girard-Perregaux Museum
Roots in 1940
Frankly, the exact origins of the model name are still a subject of research.
The "official" statement by Girard-Perregaux to the enquiring enthusiast usually refers to the filing/publishing dates for the Swiss trademarks in 1954/1959.
Nonetheless, Girard-Perregaux offered watches named "Sea Hawk" more than a decade earlier and from what is known today, the origin goes back two more decades.
Humble beginnings in 1928
In 1928 the brand of Girard-Perregaux was owned by the Graef Group, under German born Otto Graef, who produced and distributed watches under the brand of MIMO.
For Graef, the US became an important market and according to documents by US suppliers, the three sons of Otto Graef were busy distributing the then rather unknown MIMO watches.
An excerpt of the personal agenda of A. Vinton Stegeman Jr., then head of the Wadsworth Watch Case Co., explains:
"In the fall of 1924, a month after I started, Mr. Savory (head of Wadsworth Watch Case Co.s NY office), brought with him a young Swiss gentleman who had recently arrived . . . to represent his familys watch manufacturing business . . . his name was Jean R. Graef."
"Fortunately for me, I happened to be in the front office talking with Uncle Harry Stegeman when the two visitors arrived, so I had an early introduction to Jean, - at 24, two years my senior, and the two of us formed a great friendship that is now in its 62nd year."
"Jean, the youngest of the three Graef brothers, . . . , had originally decided to follow the engineering profession, and came to this country in 1921, to accept a position (with General Electric) in Philadelphia.
Being a most personable and engaging fellow, he soon swept a young lady off her feet with Jean and Mabel marrying in 1923."
In 1932, Girard-Perregaux founded a subsidiary in the US; keeping in mind Jean R. Graef at this point in history was with MIMO and GP for more than a decade, it seemed natural that he became CEO of the head office located in NYC.
The USA represented an important market, although the imports of Swiss watches were costly due to taxes, and thus, GP developed a complete assembly facility in New York.
Often using watch cases and dials of US production, these US encased models rapidly formed a secondary line, with many of these models not available in other regions than the US.
This may explain why some US encased watches are not listed in the Swiss archives by Girard-Perregaux.
Now it is a known fact that each market does follow its own traditions and preferences, thus it should come as no surprise that the US subsidiary used to create its own models at this point in history.
GP in the US since 1932
As it seems, one of these models was the Sea Hawk.
The pictured US trade mark for use with watch movement, wrist and pocket watches as words and letters was filed
August 15, 1947 (serial number 71531465) and registered January 18, 1949
(registration Number 0505730) for
JEAN R. GRAEF, INC. CORPORATION NEW YORK
9 ROCKERFELLER PLAZA
NEW YORK
Interestingly, the date of first use in commerce is mentioned to be 1940.
To my knowledge, the first proof of a watch named Sea Hawk being available before 1947 actually dates to 1943;
the following print media advertisement appeared in a magazine that year, and thus allows for reliable dating.
The advertisement clearly refers to the Sea Hawk as being a preferred choice of "men in arms"; it is a typical ad of war-time, which may be regarded as further proof of the given date:
On closer inspection the case shape is identical to later models which bear the "Sea Hawk" signature, while the pictured watch lacks the model name.
This may be explained by the usual advertising practice in those years: photographs of actual watches were very rarely used.
Most ads of this era made use of drawings instead and it is not completely unheard of for the actual watches
to look slightly different.
War times in 1940īs
An interesting detail is that the Sea Hawk is described as a watch capable of withstand the special rigors of combat conditions.
As they say, war is the father of all things and in fact, there are several similarities to other typical military timepieces of the period.
In fact, many soldiers did choose a Girard-Perregaux "Sea Hawk" watch for personal use; this is documented by numerous enquiries of heirs, holding watches which reportedly were used in wartime, and which sometimes even come with dated inscriptions.
The Sea Hawk most probably can be counted among those watches with the longest history of particularly waterproof and sturdy manufacture, intended for "rough" use.
Sea Hawk, early 1940īs
The movement was in use by GP since 1940
Girard-Perregaux Museum
And this accords with other early ads such as an advertisement campaign for fall 1947, which is another proof for the existence of a pre-1950īs Sea Hawk.
This print media ad shows a watch named "Sea Hawk" with a waterproof case and a dial of military appearance that is typical of watches of that era.
These watches are identical to the earlier model in terms of the casework and feature "container" case backs to hold the movement, dial and crystal, while the upper case part adds an additional pressure seal.
They were also equipped with a relatively large crown. These watches certainly do not meet contemporary standards for a divers watch, and were not intended to be exposed to higher pressure under water, but rather were meant to simply be rugged and waterproof sports watches.
Nonetheless, the condition of dials and movements of various vintage pieces is evidence that this construction worked very well.
This leaflet is among the first to mention a "Sea Hawk" model; interestingly, the waterproof rectangular model "Amphibian" represents a watch appearing first time in mid 1930īs:
Girard-Perregaux leaflet, early 1940īs
USA distribution
today part of the Girard-Perregaux Museum
So far, so good.
Having traced its first appearance back to the 1940īs, it may be interesting to next have a look at the name itself.
1940 - Appearance: Errol Flynn?
When trying to unravel the origins of the Sea Hawk trade mark, a degree of speculation is necessary.
Unfortunately very few artifacts of the Girard-Perregaux archives in the USA survived and these do not allow final conclusions to be drawn about the name.
My personal theory is that the US subsidiary of Girard-Perregaux made use of a then well-known name.
Keeping in mind the 1940īs represented war-times for the USA, a good product (and the Sea Hawk watches
by Girard-Perregaux certainly are good watches) benefits further when it is immediately connected with a hero.
And where to better look for a hero than in war-time Hollywood?
Henry Daniell and Errol Flynn
Image courtesy MPTV.net
"When the ruthless ambitions of a man threaten to engulf the world it becomes the solemn obligation of free men to affirm that the earth belongs to all men and that freedom is the deed and title to the soil on which we exist."
Flora Robson, as Elizabeth 1, addressing Errol Flynn at the climax of "The Sea Hawk".
The 1940 film "The Sea Hawk" features Errol Flynn in the role of Geoffrey Thorpe, a pirate who "plunders for the good of Britain" and also happens to be "the most dashing swordsman ever to sail the seas."
He risks everything for his country when he is imprisoned on a Spanish war ship.
Most probably it needs no explanation Errol Flynn was the hero in 1940 and in fact the movie "The Sea Hawk" must have been rather well-known then;
four Oscar nominations (no wins though) including nods for Special Effects and Musical Score back in 1940 speak for themselves.
It may be worth noting that the movie, being a war-time production by Warner Bros., included a message; to stand up and fight evil and national enemies, which is a common theme in a variety of movies during those years.
It thus appears not far-fetched the name "Sea Hawk" was used to express the capabilities of the watch line; it was rather popular and for US soldiers leaving overseas to fight the war, the tie may have been more clear than it is today.
Brenda Marshall
"The Sea Hawk" 1940 Warner Bros.
Images courtesy MPTV.net
The following ad dates 1941; being described as a watch for "active services" and particularly waterproof and schock protected, the tie becomes more clear:
Girard-Perregaux, 1941
USA print advertisement
today part of the Girard-Perregaux Museum
Of course a guess only - but who knows...
1950īs - the rise of the diverīs watches
The Sea Hawk watches by Girard-Perregaux after World War II until mid 1950īs were relatively small watches from a contemporary perspective; most pieces do not exceed a diameter of 32mm.
The case dimensions significantly changed with the rise of skin diverīs watches and a general trend towards larger cases, mostly caused by the need for increased space due to the increased use of automatic movements.
In 1957, the first iteration of an automatic dive watch was presented under the name "Deep Diver" and "100 Fathoms" (click on the picture to enlarge).
Although this watch with a large steel case didnīt come with a screw-down crown, it still was pressure resistant up to 100 Fathoms depth (which equals 182m or 600ft).
It was a remarkable watch: comparable pieces of similar age by Blancpain (the "Fifty Fathoms", 50 Fathoms/91m) and Rolex (the "Submariner", 100m/330ft) made use of much heavier cases and screw-down crowns with additional seals in order to achieve the same pressure resistance.
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"Deep Diver" model, 1957
This is one of extremely few "Gyromatic" automatic models with a sub-second layout.
Girard-Perregaux made use of a manual ebauche, converting it with an in-house automatic unit and rotor;
a most unusual construction.
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Around 1965 the first "traditional" divers watches by Girard-Perregaux hit the market under the name "Deep Diver".
Like the aforementioned pieces, and watches like IWCīs Aquatimer, GPīs Deep Diver models featured rotating bezels and screw-down crowns, as well as massive cases of 40mm width. Unlike its predecessors, the design and features of these watches focused on the need of scuba divers to accurately determine underwater time.
While the "Sea Hawk" watches in those years were thin and elegant dress watches with mostly manual wind movements, the Deep Diver pointed the way to the future development of later dive models.
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"Sea Hawk" model, around 1965
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In 1989, the Sea Hawk line was completely new designed; GP created a successor as part of the GP7000 line (click on the picture to enlarge).
With a variety of case sizes and materials, dial and bezel colors, and outstanding bracelets, these are remarkable and well-made watches with a very masculine appearance.
While most of these watches come with the ETA-based GP 2280, about 500 pieces feature the interesting Longines/Lemania 8810 double-barrel automatic movement.
These are some of only a few sports watches to be equipped with this relatively fragile and very thin movement.
While these watches never sold in large quantities until being discontinued in late 1990īs, today they are becoming sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.
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In 2002, GP proudly presented the most recent introduction of the SEA HAWK line (click on the pictures to enlarge).
Unlike its predecessors, the new SEA HAWK II was the first to feature GPīs own movement. Both the reference 49900 and reference 49910 ("To John Harrison") came with a movement based on GPīs own thin automatic calibre 3300, the GP caliber 33RO, which has an additional power reserve indication over the 6 oclock position.
This is a useful complication for divers, as it prevents the watch from accidentally running down when used under water - a mistake that can lead to disaster.
But it is not only the power reserve function that sets the SEA HAWK II apart from comparable watches by other makers; the extremely well crafted cases in steel, gold and titanium, which are available in sizes of 40mm (reference 49900 only) and 42mm (both), are a pleasure to wear even for those used to smaller watches. A turn of the uni-directional notched bezel, and the feeling of the massive case, together with attractive and detailed dials in opaline black, matt white, ruthenium grey and sapphire blue gives an impression of excellent design and unusual quality.
The "To John Harrison", which comes in steel/gold or gold only, sports a sub-second at the 10.30 position. Accompanied by bracelets in steel, gold, titanium or rubber straps, this is truly a new GP classic.
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The wrist impression of a Sea Hawk II?
Personally Im not used to wearing big watches, but even for me itīs an attractive size and shape which combines elegance and a sporty character:
Sea Hawk II, 42mm case, steel variant
In 2004, the latest member of the Sea Hawk line was introduced.
Girard-Perregauxīs "Sea Hawk Professional" is a veritable diverīs instrument and explores new grounds in terms of research and sophisticated development.
The result is a most unusual watch, which is apparent from the stunning depth rating:
GPīs largest watch is capable of withstanding pressures of incredible 3.000m / 9.900ft depth!
In other words, at a depth of 3.000m a pressure of 310 atm is exerted on the case.
This equals 3 tons per square centimeter!
The "Pro" is a very large watch; a whopping 44mm in diameter and 20.11mm in height make it stand out
and ensure that its a virtually indestructible watch. Crafted in titanium, the front features an unusually thick and
domed sapphire crystal of 4.85mm thickness.
This crystal is actually 50% thicker than the GP movement inside
and almost equals the total height of the Girard-Perregaux reference 47620 ultra-thin dress watch!
To learn more about this most interesting watch, our coverage on the Girard-Perregaux Forum provides more details
and insights here and
here.
Finally, the latest addition as of April 2005, a variation of the "Pro".
This model comes with polished lugs and bezel numerals, as well as a leather strap. While the technical specifications remain unchanged, itīs a completely new look:
2005 Sea Hawk Pro, Titanium case with polished lugs
Since late 2004, Girard-Perregaux undersigned a close cooperation with BMW ORACLE Racing, one of the leading yacht race teams and challenger in the Americaīs Cup.
A line of three commemorative watches was unveiled during the qualification acts 4/5 in Valencia/Spain on July 15, 2005.
Not by surprise for a model line with that long a maritime history, one of the most surprising and unusual models is a part of the Sea Hawk family:
Sea Hawk Pro, "Challenger Of Records"
Click here to learn more about these most outstanding pieces.
And the future?
Visit our Girard-Perregaux Forum for GPīs next addition to this remarkable family of watches with more than 60 years of history!
I am indebted to Mr. Christian B. Stegeman, grandson of A. Vinton Stegeman Jr., for sharing the details of the personal agenda.
And of course Jack Forster, Moderator of the Pen and Writing Instruments Forum and Salon des Belles Lettres et des Beaux Arts Forum on ThePuristS.com, for his precious help to wrap my thoughts in proper english language.
Thank you!
Peter
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