Founded in 1791 and best known for their fine watches, Girard Perregaux are one of the oldest watchmakers in the world that are still in operation. Over the many decades of their long-running history, Girard-Perregaux has become synonymous with interesting design, impressive craftsmanship, and beautiful timepieces just like this Olimpico Chronograph ref. 9238. Hailing from 1976 as a limited edition series of just 1000 pieces to celebrate the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics, this panda dial chronograph features a bulky 42mm stainless steel case that was appropriate for the time, with its bi-directional bezel, screw-down caseback, and thick domed crystal all adding to its utilitarian design language. Offered as a collection with two variants, a black dial and a white dial, the version we have here is the rarer white dial variant with a black anodized aluminum bezel insert, which is swapped for a raw metal bezel insert for the black version. Rare and proudly 1970s in its design aesthetic, this chronograph is rich with vintage styling.

Watch is in overall excellent condition. The steel case shows surface scratches and small nicks, while the case back retains legible engravings. The bezel remains well defined with some scuffs, and the black insert shows a few light scratches. The GP-signed crown remains present. The dial remains excellent, with some very light surface spotting, while the reeded hands show small spots of oxidation and the white sub-dial hands remain clean. It is fitted with a black leather strap and a steel pin buckle.

Limited in production and launched to commemorate the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, the ref. 9238 is rare and decidedly '70s in just about every design detail that it has.