The Laureato Three Gold Bridges represents a deliberate synthesis between Constant Girard’s revolutionary Three Bridges vision of 1867 and Girard-Perregaux’s defining Laureato aesthetic introduced in 1975. Limited to fifty pieces, this 41 mm timepiece emerges as the second chapter of the Laureato’s fiftieth anniversary celebration. The new case format signals a conceptual reimagining of the Laureato’s proportions, calibrated for both visual presence and wrist ergonomics.
The watch abandons the conventional dial entirely, revealing the full mechanical architecture beneath. Suspended white gold indexes float above the movement, positioned to guide the eye without interrupting transparency. A white gold minute track affixes to the inner case ring, functioning as both technical reference and secondary temporal guide. The baton-style hands finish in white gold with blue luminescent coating, their proportions calibrated to maintain visual equilibrium with the bridges and barrel assembly.
The platinum micro-rotor positions behind the barrel, a calculated design decision that preserves the visual coherence of the skeletonised layout. At the lowest point sits an arrow-shaped white gold plate bearing the initials of the master watchmaker responsible for assembly and finishing.
The Calibre GP9620, developed entirely within the Girard-Perregaux manufacture, operates as a self-winding movement with platinum micro-rotor at 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz). It incorporates 303 components across 33 jewelled bearings. Three white gold openworked bridges support the barrel assembly, gear train, and tourbillon cage respectively, with all elements aligning along a single vertical axis, a rare technical achievement. The titanium tourbillon cage adopts the iconic lyre shape, its lightness combined with inherent strength providing capacity to counter gravitational effects on chronometric accuracy.
The movement displays 418 hand-polished bevels, of which 362 constitute inward angles, extraordinarily challenging to polish by hand. Sandblasted surfaces create matte backgrounds against polished elements, whilst circular and straight satin finishing introduce tonal variation. The mirror-polished bridge extremities demand hours of hard skilled work, demonstrating technical proficiency.
The movement achieves a power reserve of at least fifty-five hours. Its diameter reaches 32.00 millimetres with height of 6.90 millimetres, accommodating complexity within conservative spatial parameters. The functions extend to hours and minutes via primary hands, with small seconds displayed on the tourbillon.
The case employs stainless steel paired with white gold octagonal bezel, producing refined visual palette through material contrast. The 41 millimetre diameter maintains contemporary proportions, whilst the 10.85 millimetre height (11.25 millimetres for the diamond-set variant) demonstrates how a tourbillon movement can integrate into a wearable case profile. The refined polished bevel of the octagonal bezel contrasts against circular satin-finished band, articulating the geometric foundation of the Laureato.
Sharpened lines and deeper bevels characterise the case architecture, functioning as light-gathering surfaces oriented to capture illumination from distinct angles. The sapphire caseback allows observation of the movement’s lower architecture, whilst the front sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating provides unobstructed visibility of the upper architecture. Water resistance reaches thirty metres, appropriate for a piece oriented towards mechanical contemplation. The integrated stainless steel bracelet features domed links with profiled surfaces, whilst the three-piece folding clasp incorporates octagonal pushers maintaining visual coherence with the case geometry.
The Laureato Three Gold Bridges (Ref. 99112-58-3576-1CM – 177’000 € / diamond-set Ref. 99112-58S3451-1CM – 239’000 €) accomplishes the coherent integration of two distinct horological narratives into unified statement. Rather than pursuing direct homage, Girard-Perregaux has chosen architectural reinterpretation, where geometric principles (proportion, precision, and systematic organisation) become the connective tissue. The 418 hand-polished angles and fantastic finishing across the calibre represent genuine execution rather than superficial embellishment. This watch exists for those who comprehend that mechanical architecture and emotional response need not occupy separate territories.
