Insider: Girard-Perregaux Sea Hawk 'Mission of Mermaids' Special Edition. A Rugged and Robust Timepiece for True Divers.
This special edition Girard-Perregaux Sea Hawk 'Mission of Mermaids' —MOM— ref. 49960-19-1305SFK6A was presented last September during a special event with the Rockefeller's at Cipriani in New York City. Designed in collaboration with Susan Rockefeller and named 'Mission of Mermaids' after Mrs. Rockefeller's most recent documentary —presented at Baselworld 2013—, the Sea Hawk ‘MOM’ is not a limited edition watch but a special edition one.
This rugged and robust diver's timepiece features green accents and a beautifully engraved case back. The 'Mission of Mermaids' just like the other stainless steel Sea Hawk watches, is fitted with a very robust case measuring 44mm in diameter and featuring an off-centered crown at 4 o'clock and date aperture between 1 and 2 o'clock.
The 'MOM' features a beautiful semi-gloss black honeycomb texturized dial with a recessed small seconds register with a small white mermaid at 10, applied power reserve indicator at 6 and sunken date aperture between 1 and 2 o'clock. The dial features raised round applied markers with luminous material, lime green minute track flange and slightly darker green hands for the minutes, seconds and power reserve. All hands with the exception of the seconds hand are treated with luminous material that is very bright in the dark. While most stock images depict this watch as having dark green accents, it is important to clarify that our pictures ware taken under natural light and accurately depict the real hue of green on the watch. While the dial offers unparalleled readability, we feel that the date is somewhat hard to to see.
This rugged and robust diver's watch is fitted with an uni-directional rotating bezel in stainless with rubber inlay and luminous dot at 12 o'clock. The bezel is easy to grip and rotate with or without gloves. The bezel setup sits on top of a black rubber octagonal base where it meets the case. This watch looks and feels exactly like a 'real' diver's watch should. It is so rugged, that once you put it on your wrist, you just feel eager to take it on a dive at the Great Barrier Reef. Gentleman, this is one amazing diving watch designed for its real purpose, with a depth rating of 1000m/3300ft and a helium-release valve at 9 o'clock on the case band.
The Sea Hawk Mission of Mermaids just like the other Sea Hawk watches, is fitted with a very comfortable rubber strap with deployant buckle. The strap is marked with Girard-Perregaux on the sides and the inside features an over-sized honeycomb texture. The strap length is very easy to adjust as necessary.
The 'Mission of Mermaids' is fitted with a solid case back carefully engraved with a green lacquered mermaid and the MOM motto: "Protect What is Precious". The MOM 15-minute documentary is a poetic ode to the sea, as well as a plea for its protection. In 2013, Susan and David Rockefeller established the 'Protect What is Precious' initiative to make the world a more loving, peaceful and healthy place by protecting family, art and nature. The 'Mission of Mermaids' will inspire people to reflect on the importance of preserving our environment and part of the proceeds from the sales of this watch will go to the Rockefeller's initiative. Protected by the case back the beating heart inside this watch is the automatic calibre GP03300-0074 with 27 jewels and which provides a power reserve of 46 hours while beating at a frequency of 28,800 vph.
To round out the look of this watch, Girard-Perregaux fitted the Sea Hawk line with an extremely thick domed sapphire crystal —unfortunately not treated with anti-reflective coating— and a very robust easy to use rubberized crown at 4 o'clock that is well protected by very thick angled crown guards.
On the wrist, this watch wears true to its size and quite comfortably considering its top heavy weight of approximately 188 grams —almost 20 grams heavier than the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver on rubber strap. The wrist presence is unparalleled and anyone wearing this watch will immediately be recognized as a diver even if he's not. At the bottom of this post you will find the trailer for the 'Mission of Mermaids' documentary.
Sticker Price $13,800 USD. For more info on Girard-Perregaux click here and for the 'Mission of Mermaids' initiative here.