Girard-Perregaux has just unveiled their latest creation, in collaboration with Aston Martin and the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team (AMF1). The two powerhouses have worked together already releasing two amazing timepieces; the Tourbillon with Three Flying Bridges Aston Martin Edition and the Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Edition. Last year Aston Martin announced that Girard-Perregaux will be the Official Watch Partner for the luxury performance British car manufacturer. So far this partnership is turning out to be something beautiful, with some stunning iconic timepieces being created.
The latest watch to be unveiled by the two brands is the Laureato Absolute Chronograph AM F1 Edition. This watch comes with two world firsts for the watchmaking industry, the use of micro-mechanics and also the extreme performance of Formula One.
The world of Formula One requires competitors to use the most efficient systems, designs, and materials to make the racecars as fast as possible. Pushing the limit of what’s capable, and times innovating new materials to inch ahead of the competitors. A fraction of a second can be the difference between winning and losing in this world. Aerodynamics and the engine power of a Formula One car play a big role, but another equally vital role is the weight of the car itself. If teams can shave even 500g – 1kg of the car, they will find a way to do it. This is where the innovation of materials comes in, and how Formula One teams like Aston Martin can bring forth their extensive knowledge of innovative materials to the world of watchmaking.
Excited about this new project, Girard-Perregaux’s CEO, Patrick Pruniaux shared his views on it by stating “from the outset, working with Aston Martin has been a joy. It has not just been a case of putting our name on a Formula One™ car. On the contrary, we have collaborated on various projects, resulting in the production of two very different watches. Working together has led to some innovative and interesting ideas, culminating in the creation of new exciting products. It has also led to some wonderful friendships forming between both companies’ personnel. With our previous collaborative models, the emphasis was on style and elegance. However, with this latest watch, we sought to work closely with the F1 side of the brand, focusing more on the idea of performance.”
Team Principal of Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One™ Team, Mike Krack, shared a similar sentiment as he states that “as a team, we have the determination to succeed – and that ambition requires us to analyse every element of our performance package. That includes managing the materials we use to build our cars, measuring their weight, their strength, all in a bid to find that critical extra thousandth of a second in lap-time. Girard-Perregaux is a valued partner to our organisation, and we have worked together to share and combine our knowledge to improve each other’s brands. The new Laureato Absolute Chronograph AMF1 is the first example of this collaboration and a stunning example of the work we can achieve together.”
Design:
Girard-Perregaux has used the extensive knowledge from Aston Martin to create a brand new cutting-edge 44mm case. The casing is comprised of titanium powder and carbon elements which are taken from two F1 race cars that were used during the 2021 season. First, for the watch industry, the individual components are brought together using a high-tech manufacturing process and then mixed with a tinted resin. The final material that is produced offers a much higher ductility than that of steel. With the carbon properties, each Laureato Absolute Chronograph AM F1 Edition will have its own separate appearance, and will certainly look uniquely different from the other watches on the market.
The dial of the Laureato Absolute Chronograph AM F1 Edition showcases Aston Martin’s Racing Green and comes with cross-hatching, which is a motif that can be traced back to the Aston Martin ‘AM’ badge of 1921. The hour and minute hands on the watch have also been skeletonised to reflect Aston Martin’s design opening’s on their cars to facilitate cooling. The lime colour used on the chronographs hands also references the design of the AMF1 race car.
Movement:
The engine behind the Laureato Absolute Chronograph AM F1 Edition is the brand’s in-house Calibre GP03300-1058 movement. This self-winding mechanical movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 VpH (4Hz) and can give out a power reserve of approximately 46 hours. For the first time in a Laureato Absolute Chronograph model, the case back has been opened up with a pane of sapphire crystal, so that the Calibre GP03300-1058 movement can be seen up close.
Much like the inspiration for the case, the strap that’s offered for this timepiece takes the carbon elements from two AM F1 racecars from the 2021 season and combines them with FKM Rubber to create the GP Rubber Alloy strap. This new strap offers much higher comfort and resistance when compared to traditional rubber straps, all the while perfectly replicating the beauty of the case and dial.
Limited to just 306 timepieces, the all-new Laureato Absolute Chronograph AM F1 Edition will no doubt be a hit with not only Aston Martin fans but watch enthusiasts alike. A stunning innovative timepiece with ties to the British car manufacturing legend, what’s not to like?
Reference: 81060-41-3071-1CX
Specification:
- Case: 44 mm and thickness 15.15mm
- Case Material: titanium & carbon case with carbon extracted from two Formula OneTM race cars used during the 2021 season
- Dial: Sunray ‘Aston Martin Racing Green’ with cross-hatching, indexes with luminescent material (green emission)
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating inside
- Water resistance: 100 meters
- Movement: GP03300-1058
- Power reserve: 46 hours
- Bracelet: GP Rubber Alloy in Aston Martin Racing Green – a mix of rubber and carbon extracted from two Formula OneTM race cars used during the 2021 season, fabric effect and green stitches. Folding with the micro-adjustment system, titanium with black PVD treatment
