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On the wooden beam: Girard-Perregaux 8846 Olimpico Chronograph

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The one that started it all – the Girard-Perregaux reference 8846 Olimpico Chronograph.

According to my contact at Girard-Perregaux manufacture, the idea and the name “Olimpico” chronograph came from the Mexico Girard-Perregaux agent Guido de Angelis, who at that time saw an possibility to sell more watches during the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games.

Based on the information I received from the Girard-Perregaux manufacture, the very first Olimpico Chronograph was the 8846 released in 1968.

I know there are some claiming that the Olimpico line was stared much earlier, but not according to GP.

Some sources even claim that the 8846 originates from the 1930’s or 1940’s, but I am having a hard time believing Honda made motorcycles looking like this back then…

The 1968 Olympic Game was the first Olympic Game to be held in a Latin-American and the first to be in a Spanish speaking country, hence the name “Olimpico” and not “Olympic”. There is a MIMO Olympic, but the T.W.O are not related.

The Girard-Perregaux reference 8846 N Olimpico Chronograph: on the wooden beam

Girard-Perregaux 8846 N Olimpico Chronograph – on the wooden beam, white dial

The 8846 N Olimpico was produced in 500 pieces, including two dial versions, white and black. How many of each colour no one knows, but based on observation, the black dial is less common…

Except for the colour scheme difference, the dials have different index, white with applied stainless steel index and black with painted tritium index.

Girard-Perregaux 8846 N Olimpico Chronograph – on the wooden beam, black dial

As mentioned the other day in my Excelsior Park post, 37 mm in diameter and inside is the GP Calibre 07-3 based on the Excelsior Park Calibre P40.

Girard-Perregaux 8846 N Olimpico Chronograph – 37 mm case

The classic look of these 12 hours chronographs is hard to resist. Balanced, elegant, timeless design.

Girard-Perregaux 8846 N Olimpico Chronograph – Calibre 07-3/P40

The eternal question, which one – black or white…?

Girard-Perregaux 8846 N Olimpico Chronograph – black and white

Here I can only with the GP Mafia, the only correct answer is both!

To get an overview of the different Olimpico models, have a look at T.W.O Instagram feed.

For anything Girard-Perregaux related, check out the GP Chronicles.

More Olimpico posts: Olimpico 9075, Olimpico 9238, Olimpico 9245

Stay tuned for more Girard-Perregaux Olimpico posts…