Girard-Perregaux introduced the new Hawk line of replica watches earlier this year at Miami's Art Basel. The line consists of two watches, the Sea Hawk, which saw a refresh to a fake watch that's been in the G-P line since the 1940s, and the entirely new Chrono Hawk. Both are meant to compliment an active lifestyle without feeling out of place when the going gets formal. Each also represents an evolved visual identity for G-P meant to carry the brand into the 21st century alongside its well-established contemporaries.
There are two other replica watches that help crystalize this move by Girard-Perregaux into deeper waters: the Constant Escapement and the new 1966 integrated column wheel chronograph. We wrote about the significance of these replica watches after Basel World, where each made a strong impression for the brand. The Constant Escapement is a push into uncharted territory, providing G-P a truly innovative foundation to build upon, while the 1966 chronograph serves as a more accessible nod to the purists out there.
Both of these replica watches will garner much of the attention in fake watch collector circles, but it is the Hawk line of replica watches that will need to make the strongest headway overall by leveraging the excitement surrounding the replica Rolex cellini brand. To that end, I spent a week with the new Chrono Hawk to see if G-P can build on the momentum gained in Basel.
The Girard-Perregaux Chrono HawkThe new Chrono Hawk is Girard-Perregaux's in-house automatic chronograph aimed squarely at the high end sport chronograph consumer. The Chrono Hawk enters a market filled with the likes of Audemars Piguet's Royal Oak Offshore, IWC's Portuguese Yacht Club, and even Replica Rolex's Daytona, among others. Featuring bold styling, a manufacture movement with pedigree, and a mission to bring modernity to G-P, the Chrono Hawk is burdened with considerable purpose in conveying a new vision for the brand.
ADVERTISEMENTWhen we spoke with Girard-Perregaux CEO Michele Sofisti during the introduction of the Hawk collection, he referenced the Chrono Hawk as being influenced by replica watches in the brand's past, most notably the Laureato. First introduced in 1975, the Laureato did indeed boast an octagonal case and integrated bracelet very similar to what we see in the Chrono Hawk. He also mentioned the brand moving into larger movements, which is relevant to the Chrono Hawk in ways I'll discuss shortly.
Wearing The Chrono HawkThe Chrono Hawk is bold at first glance. The case has large surface areas and aggressive angles that have definite architectural qualities. It is a large fake watch at 44mm, but thanks to the sloping case and curvature of the underside, it is not a flashy watch. It is one of the easier-to-wear 44mm replica watches that I've worn, thanks in part to the excellent clasp, comfortable strap material, and the aforementioned curvature of the case.
The strap is composed of both leather and rubber, meant to give a luxurious touch while maintaining comfort on the wrist. Look and feel are top notch, and time on the wrist easily managed. However, long stretches of wear (especially in warm weather) will become a sweaty affair. This is thanks to the considerable thickness of the strap and the heft of the fake watch itself. This is an issue encountered with most replica watches of this size and weight though, and I wouldn't call the Chrono Hawk the worst offender I've come across.
The rubbery texture of the strap is carried onto the pushers and crown, making actuation and manipulation quick and confident. There is also a slab of the stuff serving as a meeting point between the case body (which is octagonal) and the bezel (which is round). This creates an area of tension within what is otherwise a beautiful structure. I'm not sure how this could have been resolved without resorting to the rubber collar, but it would have been nice to see a more elegant solution. This is a small contention that I suspect will go largely unnoticed, but it might end up an annoyance in the long haul.
It's worth noting that the clasp on the Chrono Hawk is one of the best I've used. Its shape and movement is spot on, with smooth but tight action when closing and releasing. The strap is integrated with the case, which does look nice and makes for a snug fit, but custom strap options will be very limited, as in they'll have to be custom made.
On The Wrist ADVERTISEMENTI had the chance to spend time with both the white and black dialed versions of the Chrono Hawk, and have discovered the black dial to be less strenuous on the eyes. The hands and hour markers on both replica watches are the same, filled with white luminous material. This creates an easy to read contrast on the black dial, while the hands and hour markers seem to blend into white dial. Neither is particularly difficult to read, but those with poor eyesight will notice a considerable difference between the two.
The dial itself is laid out beautifully. The dual registers are symmetrical in themselves as well as within the dial, each showing numeric readouts only at 6 and 9 o'clock. The date aperture is nestled in at 6 o'clock on the dial, at the bottom of stacked minimal branding and labeling. The hour markers sink into the dial's steep edges, emphasizing to the depth between the dial and the chapter ring. The biggest draw to the dial is the three-dimensional honeycombed texture that takes things to the next level. It's not as subtle as Tapisserie pattern you'll find on a Royal Oak, but it fits the Chrono Hawk perfectly.
The chronograph functions as smoothly and effortlessly as you'd expect on a fake watch in this price range. The orange call-outs on the chronograph hands add a nice touch for legibility. Some might take issue with the fact that the chronograph only totals up to 30 minutes, which I suspect was meant to keep the sub dials symmetrical. It didn't bother me, but I don't use the complication for anything longer than boiling noodles or timing a pizza in the oven.
ADVERTISEMENT Inside The Chrono HawkThe Chrono Hawk uses Girard-Perregaux's own caliber 3300 as a base, which has been something of a workhorse for the brand over the years. The movement is most appreciated for the ceramic ball bearings that ensure smooth winding actuation of the automatic rotor. In this application, the movement gains a chronograph module, meaning the movement is not truly integrated, but it does use a column wheel and feels every bit as good as it should. Still, one would expect to see an integrated chronograph movement at this price point - though the AP Offshore is perhaps an even more egregious offender in this category.
The biggest quibble I have with the movement in this fake watch is the disparity in case and movement diameter. It's clear with one look that this is a movement you'll find in a wide range of replica watches thanks to its diminutive size. It does look beautiful, but is just dwarfed by the strong case design of the Chrono Hawk. Michele Sofisti did elude to larger calibers hitting the scene by 2015, so this will be one application to keep an eye on when that does happen.
ConclusionThe Chrono Hawk is a welcome addition to the world of high-end sport watches. Its refreshing design and impeccable execution will no doubt catch the attention of serious enthusiasts and general buyers alike. Since we introduced it to you, the price of the Chrono Hawk has dipped to $13,800 for both steel variants, and $17,000 for the black ceramic version. For that price you're getting a top-notch movement, avant-garde case and dial design, and fantastic build quality.
While the Chrono Hawk might not be ideal for everyday use for some, it's a perfect companion for the active enthusiast or seasoned collector. Overall this is a fun fake watch to wear and if it's any indication of what we can expect from Girard-Perregaux moving forward, we're on board.
ProsTruly original case designImpeccable dialHigh quality movementExcellent clasp
ConsNo integrated movementSmall movement for the caseRubber collar between case and bezelChronograph tops out at 30 minutes
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