Girard-Perregaux is pleased to unveil the Laureato Absolute Light Bucherer Blue, a limited-edition watch created exclusively for the prestigious retailer. Housed in a sapphire crystal case and featuring titanium lugs, this model provides a three-dimensional view of numerous movement components. Furthermore, it is the transparent characteristic of the sapphire case which invites light to bathe the various internal parts, thereby accentuating the many shapes employed.
Throughout its 230 year history, Girard-Perregaux has produced watches that masterfully play with shapes and light. Moreover, since the Manufacture released the ‘Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges’ in 1867, it has repeatedly revealed functional components, ordinarily hidden from view, and made them aesthetic elements. The new Laureato Absolute Light Bucherer Blue incorporates all of the aforementioned characteristics, but with a notably modern twist.
Patrick Pruniaux, CEO of Girard-Perregaux, remarks, “Girard-Perregaux is a brand whose origins are rooted in the spirit of collaboration, for instance by uniting établisseurs in the 18 th century under one roof to form one of the earliest Manufactures. The Laureato Absolute Light Bucherer Blue is a perfect example of how this ethos persists today, as our priority is to work closely with key retail partners and provide such exciting exclusives. We are thrilled to unveil the result of this collaboration, dressed in blue, in keeping with Bucherer’s well-known theme.”
Housed in a 44mm case, the Laureato Absolute Light Bucherer upholds some of the design codes first seen on the inaugural Laureato of 1975 including its famous octagonal bezel. However, while the family likeness is clear to see, this latest creation also encompasses a number of new, eye-catching details. For instance, the clear case is formed of sapphire crystal. Over a 300 hour period, this is grown, milled and polished. It is rigorously checked in order to ensure there are no inclusions.
Most watch movements start with the mainplate which is often round. Essentially, the mainplate provides the foundations of the movement. Various moving components are positioned atop the mainplate and in turn several bridges are positioned above said components. In its most simplistic form, a movement is comprised of three layers. Ordinarily, some or all of the movement is hidden from view. However, the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Light Bucherer does not subscribe to this convention.
The octagonal mainplate of the Laureato Absolute Light Bucherer emulates the shape of the iconic bezel found on the 1975 original. It is dressed in blue PVD, Bucherer’s house colours. The mainplate is incredibly strong, preventing unwanted flex which could adversely affect reliability, and the case is formed of sapphire with titanium lugs. The sapphire sections of the case afford sublime views of the mainplate, various components like the balance and the mainspring, as well as openworked NACtreated bridges.
The Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Light Bucherer continues to indulge the mechanically curious with several pared back components. These include a hollowed-out barrel drum and a skeletonised gold oscillating weight. The openworking also extends to the hour and minute hands which feature a skeletonised design affording superior views of the movement below.
It is the transparent characteristic of the sapphire case which invites light to bathe the various internal parts and, in so doing, accentuate each straight line and every sinuous contour, especially of the movement within. The latter is screwed together with the bezel, case and case-back, through the eight corners of the octagonal mainplate
At the heart of this watch is the self-winding Manufacture movement, the Calibre GP01800-1652. While this timepiece may be modern, it perpetuates the Maison‘s reputation for no-compromise, traditional finishing. For example, the NAC treated bridges are circular satin-finished. The movement also features several highly desirable technical features such as a variable inertia balance. When contrasted with the ubiquitous index-regulated balance, the variable inertia balance is superior, proving less susceptible to positional influence and delivering better rate stability.
Two titanium lugs unite the sapphire case with a strap made of GP Rubber Alloy, a world premiere unveiled by the brand earlier this year, made of grey FKM rubber alloy injected with titanium and finished with a fabric effect texture. The Manufacture has selected this type of rubber because it provides greater suppleness and resistance when contrasted with conventional rubber. Girard-Perregaux has chosen to pair the strap with a titanium folding clasp with a micro-adjustment system, allowing the wearer to fine-tune the size to deliver the optimal wrist fit.
The Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Light Bucherer Blue, limited and numbered edition of 18 pieces, is available exclusively in selected branches of Bucherer from September 2021.
Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Light Bucherer Blue Technical Specifications
Reference: 81071-43-431-FC6A
Limited and numbered edition of 18 pieces, Exclusive to Bucherer
World Price: CHF 80,780
Movement
- Reference: CP01800-1652
- Self-winding mechanical movement
- Diameter: 30.00 mm (13+”‘)
- Height: 4.16 mm
- Frequency: 28,800 Vib/h – (4 Hz)
- Number of components: 172
- Number of jewels: 25
- Power reserve: min. 54 hours
- Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds
Case
- Material: sapphire and titanium
- Diameter: 44.00 mm
- Height: 11.56 mm
- Glass: anti-reflective sapphire
- Case-back: anti-reflective sapphire crystal, engraved ‘Bucherer Blue’
- Dial: 3D ring with polished trapezoid indexes
- Hands: rhodium-plated, skeletonised with luminescent material Water resistance: 30 metres (3 ATM)
Strap
- Material: grey F KM rubber alloy (injected titanium on rubber) with a fabric effect
- Buckle: titanium, folding with micro-adjustment system
About Girard-Perregaux
Founded in 1791, Girard-Perregaux is one of the oldest fine watchmaking manufactures still in operation and is appreciated by those in the know. This year the company celebrates its 230th anniversary, a fitting testament to the brand’s watchmaking expertise. Indeed, the firm’s history is dotted with exceptional creations that skilfully blend aesthetics and functionality. These models include the iconic Laureato, born in 1975, as well as the legendary ‘Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges’, a watch that made the invisible visible, transforming bridges from just a technical element to an integral part of the timepiece – a first in watchmaking. Girard-Perregaux’s place at the vanguard of horological innovation is confirmed by over one hundred recorded patents together with numerous prizes and distinctions. It remains one of the few watchmakers to retain Manufacture status for over two centuries by mastering all the required horological skills in-house and making watches infused with a notable degree of authenticity. While Girard-Perregaux respects its heritage, it continues to look ahead, embracing new technologies, state of the art materials, and fresh takes on iconic shapes.
Girard-Perregaux is part of the Kering Group, a world leader in luxury apparel.