Girard-Perregaux has unveiled their newest creation, the latest version of their iconic Laureato timepiece. The launch of the original Laureato back in 1975 won the hearts of many watch collections and design enthusiasts thanks to its timeless design and notable functionality.
The 1970s was a period where the designs of watches were extraordinary. The creativity among watch manufacturers was unparalleled as several highly original watches came to fruition. This era is still acknowledged to this day for its visionary approach to design. Some of the timeless case and dial designs are still used today by watch manufacturers. One of these is the Girard-Perregaux Laureato, a watch that remains timeless and retains that visual appeal that made the original 1975 model so great.
Many original and aesthetic timepieces have come and gone over the years, with Girard-Perregaux’s Laureato watch joining the ranks of the few that have continued development since the release of the original model. Now, the newest edition of the Laureato sees the watch being donned in a 42mm pink gold case and matched with a beautifully contrasting handcrafted black onyx dial.
The 18-carat pink gold case has Laureato tradition written all over it, with juxtaposing satin and polished finished surfaces throughout the case. The watch comes with a matching pink gold bracelet which completes the luxurious finish of the watch.
The black onyx dial is no easy feat to create either. It requires 15 different operations to complete, resulting in a black finish that looks exquisite and has a mirror-like finish. To match the casing, the hands, baton-style hour indices, and GP logo (at the 12 o’clock position) are created with warm golden tones.
Girard-Perregaux has given the Laureato the GP01800-1404 movement, which is a self-winding movement with a pink gold oscillator. This in-house movement has the level of finishing synonymous with an Haute Horologie watch brand, as it comes with the main plate with circular graining, bevelled components, mirror polishing, satin finish, snailing, sunray finishings, and various engravings.
Watchadvice Thoughts:
What makes the Laureato so instantly recognisable is the assemblage of contrasting forms that has to lead to the watch’s unique profile design. Since the release of the original Laureato in 1975, there have been some changes to the model, albeit subtle ones. The 2017 update was the fifth-generation release of the watch, a design that has been used for this latest 2022 update. Even with the modern updates, the 2022 model still retains the essence of the original 1975 Laureato.
The handcrafted black onyx dial is the perfect addition to this model, as it contrast’s so well against the 18k pink gold case and pink gold bracelet. In addition to this, the warm golden tones of the hour indices, hands etc, create crisp and clear legibility of the dial as they stand out beautifully against the black.
The aesthetics of the watch is matched equally by the functionality. The GP01800-1404 movement can generate a power reserve of approximately 54 hours.
Updating a classic timepiece and keeping the essence of what made the original so great, all the while keeping buyers interested, is certainly no easy feat. This latest Laureato is a testament to that.
Design:
- Case: 42 mm
- Case Material: 18k Pink gold
- Dial: Polished black onyx
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal, front and back
- Water resistance: 50 meters
- Bracelet: Pink gold, polished and satin-finished with pink gold triple folding buckle. Second choice of black alligator strap with pink gold, triple folding buckle.
Movement:
- Self-winding Calibre GP01800-1404
- Frequency: 4Hz (28, 800 VpH)
- Power Reserve: 54 hours
- Number of components: 191 parts
