This Retro Watch Might Be the Best We’ll See In 2025

Girard-Perregaux has just dropped the Deep Diver, a bold, retro-inspired diver’s watch pulled straight from the brand’s 1960s archives and reborn with 2025 specs. Limited to 350 pieces and part of the brand’s increasingly collectible ‘Legacy Editions’ collection, the Deep Diver isn’t just a nostalgia play. It’s a reminder of how watch brands are mastering the art of looking backwards to move forward.

Originally released in 1969 and redesigned in 1971, the Deep Diver was a standout of its time: all cushion-case swagger, bold colours, and an early adopter of the brand’s energy-efficient Gyromatic system. Today, the Deep Diver keeps that throwback DNA but upgrades everything else.

The cushion-shaped case is still here, as are the dual crowns and rotating inner bezel. But under the hood you’ll now find the GP03300 calibre, a slim 3.36mm in-house movement with 46 hours of power reserve, Geneva stripes, polished bevels, and a Neptune-inspired trident visible through a sapphire crystal caseback.

The Doxa Sub 300 was the first to do it. The rest followed. Girard-Perregaux hasn’t just gone for retro colours because they look good. Orange is one of the most visible colours in low-light and murky underwater conditions, which is why it’s frequently used for key indicators like hands and minute markers on diver’s watches.

Blue, while less visible at depth, offers strong contrast in normal light and naturally evokes the ocean, tying the whole aquatic narrative together.

Together, orange and blue also carry that unmistakable 1970s energy. These were go-to colours in the golden age of sporty, futuristic watch design. Bold, functional, and a little rebellious. The combination doesn’t just serve a purpose; it tells a story. One of safety, visibility, and retro optimism.

Visually, the watch is unmissable. Think ’70s scuba chic with a modern twist: luminous markers, pop accents of orange, blue and white, and retro-futuristic numeral typography that feels fresh without trying too hard. If you liked the Casquette revival from a few years back, this follows a similar playbook.

Limited numbers, rich heritage, and just enough edge to hook a new generation of collectors.

Girard-Perregaux is hardly the only brand raiding its archives, but few are doing it with this much flair. The Deep Diver isn’t just a tribute piece, it’s a modern diver with vintage soul. And it proves that in the world of luxury watches, old-school cool still sells.