The all-new Laureato Absolute Chronograph 8 Tech from Girard-Perregaux draw’s on the manufacturer’s knowledge on carbon technology to create a very aesthetic timepiece.
The Laureato is a masterful creation that plays with different geometric shapes to create a stunning timepiece. The different components of the watch are shaped and sized differently to give the timepiece a architectural look. The octagonal bezel is positioned above a circular plinth, which in turn rests upon an angular tonneau-shaped case. This is what makes the Girard-Perregaux Laureato an iconic stand out piece.
The Laureato Absolute was released back in 2019, a new expression of the 1975 classic. The Laureato Absolute carries similar design codes as the Laureato, however, now brings a more avant-garde design to the table, bestowing each reference with an overtly sporty appearance. What the Laureato Absolute also brings with it is a variety of ground breaking materials.
With each new reference that comes out for the Laureato Absolute, Girard-Perregaux has used materials like metallised sapphire crystal, carbon glass and rubber alloy in the watches. Now, with the release of this latest version of the Laureato Absolute Chronograph, Girard-Perregaux has used their groundbreaking technique, 8Tech, to create a case and bezel that’s formed of octagonal carbon parts, creating a random structural pattern.
Being made from carbon means that the 44mm case of the new Laureato Absolute Chronograph 8 Tech is extremely light, offering a great wrist presence with enhanced comfortability, making the timepiece an ideal candidate for daily wear. To aid the comfortable wear of the watch further, Girard-Perregaux has paired the Laureato Absolute 8Tech with a black rubber strap that has a fabric-effect look and grey stitching. The strap is also intergrated into the case, which means that the timepiece will have a more snug fit on the wrist.
With regards to the construction of the case and bezel, Girard-Perregaux states “the case material is composed of unidirectional, non-braided and pre-impregnated carbon fibres, combined with lightweight titanium powder to form extremely thin layers, measuring just 0.05mm in thickness. These layers are superimposed upon one another, each orientated differently to form ‘stacks’ which are then cut into octagons, an industry first. The octagonal shapes are placed in a mould and subjected to heat and extreme pressure. Thereafter, the case components, including the bezel, are milled from the material and then subsequently refined by hand. This one-of-a-kind technique endows the case with a shimmering appearance.”
To match the colour’s of the case, Girard-Perregaux has presented the dial in a gradient grey finish, with the grey colour getting gradually darker as it gets to the outer edge of the dial. The dial is also of sandwich-type construction, which means that its made up of different layers. The upper layer has the grey gradient finish, meanwhile the lower part is formed of Grade 5 titanium, partially revealed via a series of apertures in the upper surface.
The hour indices are created using both surfaces. The upper surfaces has the Superlumi-Nova coating, while the lower layer shows the grade 5 titanium finish. With this titanium finish being lighter than the upper surface finish, it allows for not only the indices to stand out, but also add the three-dimensional effect onto the dial. This same effect is also applied to the three sub-counters for the chorongraph, while the date window is finished in a more subtle dial-blending black finish.
Girard-Perregaux has used the self-winding Calibre GP03300-1058 for this latest Laureato Absolute 8Tech. The Calibre GP03300-1058 movement is comprised of 419 components and runs at a high-frequency of 28,800 VpH (4Hz) while giving out a decent power reserve of approximately 46 hours. The finishing of the movement is impeccable. Visible through the open case back, the movement’s finishing includes Côtes de Genève, chamfering and straight graining, perpetuating the traditional skills practised by Girard-Perregaux since 1791.
A timepiece that has all three components of aesthetics, wearability and mechanical prowess makes for a great daily timepiece. Not only that, this new Laureato Absolute Chronograph 8 Tech looks so good that you can wear to almost any occasion and be not out of place. With the nature of carbon fibre and how the fibres are made up, each individual watch will get it’s own unique pattern and carbon fibre look, making this watch even more desirable!
The Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph 8 Tech is available for purchase from all authorised Girard-Perregaux retailers from October 2023.
Reference: 81060-41-3222-1CX
Specification
- Case: 44.00 mm, 15.15mm thick
- Case Material: Carbon/titanium composite
- Dial: gradient grey, titanium counters and indexes
- Crystal: Anti-reflective sapphire
- Water resistance: 100 meters (10 ATM)
- Movement: Hand-wound calibre 1990
- Power reserve: Approx. 46 hours
- Strap: Black rubber strap with fabric effect and grey stitches, folding clasp with micro adjustment system, titanium with PVD treatment.
