Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Chronograph wristwatch

Girard-Perregaux Aéro-Compax Chronograph Ref. 785145

Partially verified

This Girard-Perregaux Aéro-Compax wristwatch, manufactured in 1959, is a stainless steel aviator timepiece featuring a round-button chronograph with multiple registers, a tachometer scale, and a secondary crown at 9 o'clock for operating a memento dial. The 38 mm diameter, three-body case is finished with polished surfaces and tapered lugs, and it utilizes a screw-down caseback for water resistance. The dial displays a brushed beige and silver finish with luminous Arabic numerals and blued steel "lozenge" hands. Internally, the watch is powered by the Caliber 287, a 17-jewel movement featuring a straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, and an index regulator. The piece is accompanied by a later Girard-Perregaux box and a copy of the company's certificate of authenticity.

Front view of the Girard-Perregaux Aéro-Compax showing the chronograph registers, memento scale, and dual-crown configuration.
Front view of the Girard-Perregaux Aéro-Compax showing the chronograph registers, memento scale, and dual-crown configuration. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Wristwatch · Chronograph wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Girard-Perregaux
Reference
785145
Catalogue / lot identifier
434
Source-reported date
1959
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
22432

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial Design

The watch features a 38 mm three-body stainless steel case characterized by polished surfaces and tapered lugs. Designed with an emphasis on utility, it includes a screw-down caseback to ensure water resistance. A distinctive feature is the use of two crowns; the crown positioned at 9 o'clock is specifically designed to adjust the memento dial.

The dial is finished in brushed beige and silver and incorporates luminous Arabic numerals, facilitating legibility in various lighting conditions. The display includes an outer minute and fifths-of-a-second track, subsidiary dials for running seconds, 12-hour and 30-minute registers, and the 12-hour memento register. An outer tachometer scale surrounds the periphery, and the time is indicated by luminous blued steel lozenge-shaped hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “Three-body, polished, tapered lugs, winding crown at 9 for adjusting the memento dial, screw-down caseback.”
  • “Brushed beige and silver with luminous Arabic numerals, outer minutes and fifths of a second track with Arabic five minutes/ seconds numerals, subsidiary dials for the seconds, the 12-hour and 30-minute registers and the memento in 12 hours, outer tachometer scale.”

Movement Specifications

The timepiece is powered by the Caliber 287, a frosted gilt mechanical movement containing 17 jewels.

Regulation of the watch is achieved via an index regulator acting upon a self-compensating Breguet balance spring.

Evidence for this section
  • “Cal. 287, frosted gilt, 17 jewels, straightline lever escapement, monometallic balance, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, index regulator.”
  • “Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense”

Condition and Authenticity

The auction description provides a grading for the watch, identifying the overall condition as very good. While the case and dial display slight scratching, the internal components remain in favorable working order. The watch is signed by the maker on the dial, case, and movement.

To support its provenance and authenticity, the watch is accompanied by a copy of a Girard-Perregaux certificate. The set is presented in a modern, later-manufactured Girard-Perregaux box.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dial, case and movement signed.”
  • “Accompanied by a later Girard Perregaux box and a copy of a Girard Perregaux certificate of authenticity.”
  • “Grading System Grade: AA Very good”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific functionality of the 'memento' register in this model's intended use case?
  • How many iterations of the 785145 reference were produced with this specific dual-crown configuration?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Girard-Perregaux Aéro-Compax Chronograph Ref. 785145
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerGirard Perregaux“Girard Perregaux”
ModelAéro-Compax“Aéro-Compax”
Case Number22432“case No. 22432”
Year of Manufacture1959“Made in 1959”
Caliber287“Cal. 287”
Case Diameter38 mm“DIAM. 38 mm.”
Jewels17“17 jewels”
Case MaterialStainless steel“stainless steel”

Visible details

  • Secondary crown positioned at 9 o'clock for adjustment of the memento dial
  • Tachometer scale printed on the outer periphery of the dial
  • Luminous Arabic numerals on dial
  • Tapered lugs on the stainless steel case

Research qualifications

  • Overhaul recommended by auction house
  • The accompanying box is identified as a later replacement

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

GIRARD PERREGAUX, AÉRO-COMPAX, WATERPROOF, 38 MM Girard Perregaux, "Aéro-Compax", case No. 22432, Ref 785145. Made in 1959. Fine, rare and large, waterproof, stainless steel aviator wristwatch with round button chronograph, registers, tachometer, memento dial, and two crowns. Accompanied by a later Girard Perregaux box and a copy of a Girard Perregaux certificate of authenticity.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record c78050dbfc

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other chronograph wristwatch records