For your collection of incredibly remarkable Girard Perregaux vintage watches, there is this Dresswatch Reference 8920 FA | Exceedingly rarified timemachine featuring a flat, tonneau-shaped case and a striking dial adorned with symbolic figures instead of traditional numerals.
The Girard-Perregaux Reference 8920 FA is an elegant, highly rare vintage wristwatch from the Swiss manufacturer Girard-Perregaux, featuring a barrel-shaped (tonneau) stainless steel case and a striking dial with symbolic figures instead of classic numerals.
This 1960s design features an exceptionally rare historical dial from Girard-Perregaux with ancient Chinese numerals known as Daxie (大寫 / 大写). Daxie, which literally means “large script,” is the traditional Chinese system for financial and monumental numbers. These characters have been used in China for centuries (historically established during the Tang and Ming dynasties). Unlike the everyday Chinese characters for numbers (Xiaoxie, 小寫), Daxie characters are deliberately written using complex, stroke-rich characters to ensure that amounts on checks or documents are forgery-proof.
The symbols on the clock follow a clear, sequential mathematical logic. The numbers for 10, 11, and 12 o’clock: At the top right at 10 o’clock is the character for ten (拾). At 11 o’clock comes the combination of one and ten (拾壹), and at 12 o’clock, the combination of two and ten (拾貳). The numbers for 1 to 9 o’clock: The remaining markings show the complex traditional characters for the numbers one (壹) through nine (玖). Daxie, the “Big Writings” 大冩, is similar to writing Arabic numerals in English as “One,” “Two,” “Three,” etc., instead of “1,” “2,” “3.”
Today’s “Big Writings” Chinese numeral characters look like this:
壹、贰、叁、肆、伍、陸、柒、捌、玖、拾、拾壹、拾贰.
The name of the Girard-Perregaux dial designer who adapted these ancient characters into this elegant, seemingly “sketchy” style for the design of this very special dresswatch is not documented in the manufacturer’s historical archives.
The feel of the steel bracelet, like the watch itself and the interpretation of the characters, moves geometrically between polygonal and round, between striking and soft, between the drawings of Picasso and Le Corbusier’s Modulor.
Girard-Perregaux has in fact dedicated designs and watch models to the famous French-Swiss architect, designer, and artist Le Corbusier (Charles-Édouard Jeanneret) in honor of his work and his birthplace, which, like the manufacturer’s headquarters, is located in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
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This Girard-Perregaux Reference 8920 FA is an elegant, rectangular vintage dresswatch from the late 1950s through the 1960s. This distinctive case shape represents a radical shift from the classic round design and perfectly embodies the spirit of the times.
Movement number 263.XXX | The sequential numbering was engraved directly onto the bridges or plates of the mechanical hand-wound movement.
Case number 535 | The internal case number, stamped on the inside of the case back, provides information about the case supplier who worked for Girard-Perregaux at the time, as well as the production batch of the case.
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Conclusion on the Year of Production | Based on the serial number and the movement caliber, this masterpiece was most likely manufactured between 1959 and 1964. Inside the Girard-Perregaux Reference 8920 FA ticks the in-house caliber GP 091. It is an extremely flat mechanical movement, which made it possible in the first place for the watch to sit elegantly and flat against the wrist despite its angular shape. Girard-Perregaux, founded in 1791, is one of the oldest Swiss watch manufacturers, which is why even its historic movements exhibit exceptionally high craftsmanship.
A Rarity on the Market | Compared to the brand’s round dress watches, the 8920 FA was produced in significantly smaller quantities. Since it is now a rare and exotic piece, it immediately stands out in everyday life—especially because the watch’s flat design gives it an exceptionally strong presence on the wrist.
Unique Dial | The outstanding dial is a true visual gem; its unique design—featuring a brushed silver-plated dial and a faceted, minimalist set of hands—creates a very special impact in the light of day.
Our certified master watchmakers overhauled this masterpiece in year 2026. The timemachine is fully protected by our 1-year guarantee for you.
