An extraordinary vintage Girard-Perregaux where the provenance is every bit as compelling as the watch itself. This solid 18ct yellow-gold, 36mm manual-wind Girard-Perregaux is accompanied by an extensive archive relating to its former owner, Thomas Arthur Jones, and an act of bravery at Santos Harbour, Brazil, in January 1963.
The provenance is exceptional. Included is the original Royal Humane Society testimonial certificate awarded to Thomas Arthur Jones, together with contemporary photographs, newspaper clippings, correspondence and other supporting material. The certificate records that on 29 January 1963 Jones, “at personal risk”, went to the rescue of a man who had fallen into the water at Santos Harbour, Brazil, and gallantly assisted in the attempt to save him.
The accompanying contemporary press material adds remarkable detail to the story. A seaman, Dennis Cookley, fell approximately 12 metres into the water while working on the ship. Jones immediately entered the water to assist him, with another crew member subsequently joining the rescue. The reports describe difficult conditions caused by the tide and the ship’s machinery, with the men remaining in the water for around ten minutes before being recovered.
For his actions, Jones received recognition from the Royal Humane Society. The original testimonial is dated 7 May 1963 and names Thomas Arthur Jones directly. The accompanying archive also includes photographs and international newspaper coverage of the incident, creating a rare and unusually complete piece of personal history rather than simply an anecdotal association.
The watch itself is a beautifully proportioned Girard-Perregaux dress watch in solid 18ct yellow gold. At 36mm excluding the crown, it is notably large for a dress watch of this period.
The silver dial is wonderfully restrained, with an applied GP emblem, applied faceted gold baton hour markers, elegant gold hands and a large subsidiary seconds register at 6 o’clock. There is attractive light spotting and patination across the dial, giving it genuine vintage character without detracting from its exceptionally clean overall appearance.
The 18ct yellow-gold case is particularly elegant, with an extremely slim polished bezel and long, straight angular lugs. The caseback carries an engraved Shell emblem together with “T. A. JONES” and the number 59.163, providing a further physical connection between the watch and the accompanying provenance. Inside, the caseback is correctly signed Girard-Perregaux, Chaux-de-Fonds and carries the 18ct/750 gold markings.
Power comes from a beautifully finished Girard-Perregaux signed 17-jewel manual-wind movement.
The watch is fitted to a later brown leather strap and is accompanied by its original Girard-Perregaux hard presentation case. Most importantly, however, it remains together with the remarkable archive of material relating to Thomas Arthur Jones: the original Royal Humane Society certificate, contemporary photographs, press cuttings and supporting documents.
This is far more than an attractive vintage gold Girard-Perregaux. It is a tangible piece of documented social and maritime history, connecting a fine Swiss watch directly to its former owner and an act of bravery more than sixty years ago. Watches with genuinely meaningful provenance are difficult to find; examples where the story survives with the original certificate, photographs, contemporary press coverage, named engraving and presentation case are rarer still.
A superb 36mm solid-gold Girard-Perregaux with a provenance that makes it genuinely unique.
An extraordinary vintage Girard-Perregaux where the provenance is every bit as compelling as the watch itself. This solid 18ct yellow-gold, 36mm manual-wind Girard-Perregaux is accompanied by an extensive archive relating to its former owner, Thomas Arthur Jones, and an act of bravery at Santos Harbour, Brazil, in January 1963.
The provenance is exceptional. Included is the original Royal Humane Society testimonial certificate awarded to Thomas Arthur Jones, together with contemporary photographs, newspaper clippings, correspondence and other supporting material. The certificate records that on 29 January 1963 Jones, “at personal risk”, went to the rescue of a man who had fallen into the water at Santos Harbour, Brazil, and gallantly assisted in the attempt to save him.
The accompanying contemporary press material adds remarkable detail to the story. A seaman, Dennis Cookley, fell approximately 12 metres into the water while working on the ship. Jones immediately entered the water to assist him, with another crew member subsequently joining the rescue. The reports describe difficult conditions caused by the tide and the ship’s machinery, with the men remaining in the water for around ten minutes before being recovered.
For his actions, Jones received recognition from the Royal Humane Society. The original testimonial is dated 7 May 1963 and names Thomas Arthur Jones directly. The accompanying archive also includes photographs and international newspaper coverage of the incident, creating a rare and unusually complete piece of personal history rather than simply an anecdotal association.
The watch itself is a beautifully proportioned Girard-Perregaux dress watch in solid 18ct yellow gold. At 36mm excluding the crown, it is notably large for a dress watch of this period.
The silver dial is wonderfully restrained, with an applied GP emblem, applied faceted gold baton hour markers, elegant gold hands and a large subsidiary seconds register at 6 o’clock. There is attractive light spotting and patination across the dial, giving it genuine vintage character without detracting from its exceptionally clean overall appearance.
The 18ct yellow-gold case is particularly elegant, with an extremely slim polished bezel and long, straight angular lugs. The caseback carries an engraved Shell emblem together with “T. A. JONES” and the number 59.163, providing a further physical connection between the watch and the accompanying provenance. Inside, the caseback is correctly signed Girard-Perregaux, Chaux-de-Fonds and carries the 18ct/750 gold markings.
Power comes from a beautifully finished Girard-Perregaux signed 17-jewel manual-wind movement.
The watch is fitted to a later brown leather strap and is accompanied by its original Girard-Perregaux hard presentation case. Most importantly, however, it remains together with the remarkable archive of material relating to Thomas Arthur Jones: the original Royal Humane Society certificate, contemporary photographs, press cuttings and supporting documents.
This is far more than an attractive vintage gold Girard-Perregaux. It is a tangible piece of documented social and maritime history, connecting a fine Swiss watch directly to its former owner and an act of bravery more than sixty years ago. Watches with genuinely meaningful provenance are difficult to find; examples where the story survives with the original certificate, photographs, contemporary press coverage, named engraving and presentation case are rarer still.
A superb 36mm solid-gold Girard-Perregaux with a provenance that makes it genuinely unique.
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