SIGNED GIRARD-PERREGAUX, F1 047 MODEL, CHRONOGRAPH ALUMINIUM, REF. 4955, CIRCA 2002

This highly appealing and unusual lightweight aluminium chronograph was specially printed with the present owner’s name on the case back at the time of manufacture. The Girard-Perregaux for Ferrari aluminium chronograph is a very rare model, it is thought that perhaps only between 100 and 200 examples were ever made. Collector’s are discovering the scarcity of this aluminium reference and it is becoming highly sought after as a classic of the now legendary collaboration between Girard-Perregaux and Ferrari between 1993 and 2004. This model is also appreciated for its subtlety, indeed, although the watch’s styling is immediately recognizable, the Ferrari name is not found anywhere on the watch, only the model name 'F1 047' the dial and case and the prancing horse emblem discreetly placed on the titanium buckle. Both the crown and chronograph pushers are also made of titanium.

The model name 'F1 047' comes from the model number of the engine that powered the Ferrari F1 racing cars. It is thought, although unproven, that the cases for the ‘047’ watches were cast from aluminum material taken from a used Ferrari F1 engine block. Made in relatively small numbers, the ‘047’ series is considered by collectors to be a pre-series or ‘prototype’ series for the ‘F1 048’ which was made of full titanium and in 1000 examples.