The Girard-Perregaux Laureato adds two new chapters in a story that began in 1975, this time housed in a sumptuous 42mm Pink Gold case and upholding Laureato tradition of contrasting shapes and finishes. On this occasion, the eponymous noble metal is paired with bewitching Sage Green and Ultramarine Blue dials that appear to change shade when viewed from different angles.
Laureato, an alluring silhouette since 1975
In 1975, Girard-Perregaux released the inaugural Laureato, a timepiece designed in-house comprising several different shapes brought together to form a cohesive aesthetic. Close examination reveals an octagonal bezel positioned atop a circular plinth which in turn is located upon an angular tonneau-shaped case. Throughout the composition there is an exquisite interplay between polished and satin finished surfaces as can be seen on these new Laureato in Pink Gold. Both finishes are clearly defined and discrete from one another, thereby optimising the effect. This arrangement of different shapes and contrasting finishes has come to define the Laureato, a watch that is instantly recognisable when viewed from afar.
Golden baton-style hour and minute hands collaborate with baton-type indexes, imparting meaning free of ambiguity. Both the hands and indexes are lined with luminescent material and emit a notable glow in dim light. The central seconds hand features a GP-themed counterweight and almost kisses the minute track positioned on the flange, facilitating ease of read-off. The date is presented at 3 o’clock and employs white numerals set atop an ultramarine blue or sage green disc, matching the main dial as horological etiquette dictates. Gold GP initials reside at 12 o’clock, while the brand’s name and GP logo, both executed in white, are located below.
Sage Green: ‘wise, especially as a result of great experience’
Thumb the pages of a dictionary and look up the word, ‘sage’. It’s defined as ‘wise, especially as a result of great experience’, words that could be used to describe Girard-Perregaux. Indeed, having amassed much experience over the last 230 years, the manufacture has become known for its sagacity, making the choice of dial colour on the new Laureato Pink Gold Sage Green very apt.
Ultramarine Blue: still looking good after 6000 years
The colour, ‘ultramarine blue’, can be traced back to the 4th millennium BCE and to the appearance of lapis lazuli. The name is derived from the Latin ‘ultramarinus’, meaning ‘beyond the sea’, a reference to the region of its origin. Ultramarine blue, sometimes called ‘true blue’, later became a defining feature of many Renaissance paintings; however, as it was incredibly expensive, artists used it sparingly. As its name suggests, the dial of the new Laureato Pink Gold Ultramarine Blue is executed in the sought after shade.
Both dials are enlivened with a Clous de Paris motif, endowing their surface with a three-dimensional allure. The textured dial is the result of a time-consuming manufacturing process of over 50 steps that accentuate its intricately weaved pattern. This latter characteristic causes the dial shades to appear different when viewed from various angles. Indeed, its surface exhibits fifty shades of green and blue, each one, eminently seductive.
Presented in 18-carat pink gold, these models uphold the Laureato tradition of juxtaposing polished and satin finished surfaces throughout. A matching pink gold bracelet ergonomically unites the watch with the wearer’s wrist.
A brilliant mind
The Manufacture Calibre GP01800, a self-winding movement comprising 191 components, is beautifully finished. The main plate is adorned with circular graining, while some components feature bevelling, mirror polishing, satin finish and various engravings. The bridges are decorated with straight Côtes de Genève and the pink gold oscillating weight is embellished with circular Côtes de Genève. Lastly, the movement has a power reserve of at least 54 hours.
Numerous operations are required to complete the Laureato’s in-house movement, including its refined and time-consuming finishing. Founded in 1791, Girard-Perregaux, an independent Manufacture, has amassed much know-how over the last 230 years and has gained an enviable reputation for crafting fine watches, each blessed with a brilliant mind. The Laureato has benefited from this expertise and is powered by a manufacture movement since its launch in 1975.
The Laureato Pink Gold Sage Green and Ultramarine Blue will go on sale in May 2024 and will be available worldwide in all Girard-Perregaux retailers.
LAUREATO 42 MM PINK GOLD SAGE GREEN
Reference 81010-52-3333-1CM – Suggested retail price: 49’700 CHF / 51’900 USD / 44’100 GBP / 54’700 EUR
Movement
- Reference: GP01800-2311
- Self-winding mechanical movement with pink gold oscillating weight
- Diameter: 30.00 mm (131/4’’’)
- Height: 3.97 mm
- Frequency: 28,800 Vib/h – (4 Hz)
- Number of components: 191
- Number of jewels: 28
- Power reserve: min. 54 hours
- Functions: Hours, minutes, central second, date
Case
- Material: pink gold
- Diameter: 42.00 mm
- Height: 10.68 mm
- Glass: anti-reflective sapphire crystal
- Case-back: sapphire crystal
- Dial: sage green with a “Clous de Paris” pattern, gold-plated GP logo, ‘baton’-type gold-plated indexes with luminescent material (green emission)
- Hands: ‘baton’ type, gold-plated hands with luminescent material (green emission)
- Water resistance: 50 meters (5 ATM)
Bracelet
- Material: pink gold
LAUREATO 42 MM PINK GOLD ULTRAMARINE BLUE
Reference 81010-52-436-52A (pink gold bracelet version) – Suggested retail price: 49’700 CHF / 51’900 USD / 44’100 GBP / 54’700 EUR
Reference 81010-52-436-BB4A (alligator strap version) – Suggested retail price: 33’900 CHF / 35’400 USD / 30’100 GBP / 37’300 EUR
Movement
- Reference: GP01800-2317
- Self-winding mechanical movement with pink gold oscillating weight
- Diameter: 30.00 mm (131/4’’’)
- Height: 3.97 mm
- Frequency: 28,800 Vib/h – (4 Hz)
- Number of components: 191
- Number of jewels: 28
- Power reserve: min. 54 hours
- Functions: Hours, minutes, central second, date
Case
- Material: pink gold
- Diameter: 42.00 mm
- Height: 10.68 mm
- Glass: anti-reflective sapphire crystal
- Case-back: sapphire crystal
- Dial: ultramarine blue with a “Clous de Paris” pattern, gold-plated GP logo, ‘baton’-type gold-plated indexes with luminescent material (green emission)
- Hands: ‘baton’ type, gold-plated hands with luminescent material (green emission)
- Water resistance: 50 meters (5 ATM)
Strap/Bracelet
- Material: pink gold or blue alligator with pink gold triple folding buckle
- The alligator strap version (81010-52-436-BB4A) will be delivered with a complimentary blue rubber strap.
About Girard-Perregaux
Since 1791, Girard-Perregaux has been embracing the rhythm of ever-elusive time. Cradled in the Jura mountains in the heart of La Chaux-de-Fonds, it is a pioneer in the world of Haute Horlogerie: an independent Manufacture which has retained this status for over two centuries, successfully keeping all production in-house and passing down exceptional horological skills throughout the generations. The preservation of this savoir-faire, along with a sincere passion for beauty and for the art itself, has remained the key to Girard-Perregaux’s ability to continuously innovate.
Always seeking the perfect balance of beauty and functionality, fans of fine watchmaking will instantly recognise the house signatures, such as the iconic octagonal bezel of the Laureato and the legendary Tourbillon with ‘Three Gold Bridges’. From seeking to create industry references in timepieces to making the invisible visible through the art of precision engineering, Girard-Perregaux never ceases to change the course of time via pieces that are the first of their kind. This place at the vanguard of horological innovation is solidified by over one hundred recorded patents for original designs, like the movement of three arrow-shaped bridges, registered in 1884, as well as prizes like the ’Aiguille d’Or’ in 2013 and distinctions like the Gold Medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1889.
Rooted in its heritage, Girard-Perregaux is driven by the instinct to always look ahead, embracing new technologies, utilising state-of-the-art materials, and finding inventive ways to bring joy by reimagining iconic shapes. To this end, Girard-Perregaux has remained a human-sized Manufacture, and in 2022 became part of an independent collective of Haute Horlogerie Manufactures alongside sister Maison Ulysse Nardin.
www.girard-perregaux.com/press