Since its surprise reveal a little over a year ago, the Laureato has become an increasingly significant player in the luxury sports category, thanks to its crowd-pleasing good looks and impressive mechanics. SIHH 2018 showed us that the Laureato is an increasingly important part of GP’s lineup too, as handsome new chronograph variants dominated their latest batch novelties. But I was particularly taken by this black ceramic-on-rubber offering. Announced late last year, to me this Laureato really lives up to its sporty pedigree, thanks to its hard-wearing 42mm lightweight ceramic construction and rubber strap. Now, typically I’d advocate for the bracelet variant, especially on a integrated case style like this, but here I think the rubber really works. It makes the Laureato far more casual, and really wearer-friendly, and better honours the casual spirit of the design. While the bracelet versions of this watch (whatever the material), look quite work-ready, this Laureato really needs to be worn with short sleeves, preferably on a teak deck somewhere unseasonably warm. And with its 100m of water resistance, super-hard case and general air of masculine charm, this watch is more than up for whatever adventure you might have planned. This watch proves that… Read More
VIDEO: 4 standout Girard-Perregaux watches from SIHH 2018
It’s clear that Girard-Perregaux have decided they’re onto a winner with their sporty-yet-luxurious Laureato, as new versions of the model dominated the brand’s SIHH 2018 line-up. Laureato Chronograph The piece I gravitated towards was the Laureato Chronograph, a modular upgrade to the regular automatic; the familiar Clous de Paris texture of the dial joined by three snailed subdials, while the case — in both 38 and 42mm options — has grown some crown guards and octagonal screw-down pushers that are actually easy to screw down. A real joy to use, and it doesn’t look too bad on the wrist either. Laureato Ceramic While we saw ceramic versions of the Laureato this year, the rubber strap is a small, but significant, addition. It adds even more to the ceramic case’s feeling of lightness, and accentuates the watch’s sporty character. And the range of finishings on the black ceramic case isn’t just beautiful — it’s a testament to GP’s skill. Laureato Flying Tourbillon If the Ceramic Laureato is stealthy, this Flying Tourbillon is a standout. Shown only in precious metals, the dial is seriously photogenic, thanks to its dramatic architecture and finishing. The constantly whirring, slightly off-centre tourbillon is the undisputed star…. Read More
INTRODUCING: The Girard-Perregaux Neo Tourbillon with Three Bridges Skeleton
For a brand with a long, rich history, Girard-Perregaux is a dab hand at the ultra-modern, as evidenced by this Neo Tourbillon with Three Bridges Skeleton. This watch is the first skeletonised execution of the Neo Tourbillon. And while there’s no denying that this 45mm titanium-cased marvel of miniaturised engineering is – indeed – a watch, from the right angles you could easily mistake it for a scale model of a particularly audacious and artistic building project. The Neo Tourbillon is dominated, as you would expect, by the horizontal bridges, curved and shimmering thanks to the bezelled, sandblasted black PVD-finished bridges (rather than the more traditional gold). Between these bridges, scarcely hidden from sight is the 0.25 gram tourbillon cage at the bottom, and a large power barrel (good for at least 60 hours) at the top of the watch, powered by a unidirectional micro-rotor, in 18K white gold. These elements, which words don’t really do justice to, comprise the calibre GP 09400-0011. The lucky wearer’s view of this aggressively modern 9.54mm thick movement is ensured by the clear, highly cambered convex glassbox sapphire crystal. Don’t be fooled by the size, this sharp style and finely balanced micro-engineering of their Girard-Perregaux… Read More
VIDEO: Girard-Perregaux level up with the Laureato in steel
A little while ago, we put together a list of luxury sports watches and it went – to use a technical term – bananas. There’s something about the combination of utility and exclusivity that really appeals to people. And as I look down at the Laureato on my wrist as I type this, I can honestly say, I get it. Sure, tool-like dive watches and sporty chronographs fill a place in our watch-loving hearts that crave functionality and purpose, but a watch like the Laureato offers something more. Purpose and practicality, with ample lashings of beauty. I mean, just look at how that Clous de Paris dial, or those bracelet links, blaze in the light. This watch looks good in pictures, but it comes alive on the wrist. Girard-Perregaux Laureato 42mm Australian Pricing Girard-Perregaux Laureato 42mm, in steel on bracelet, $16,080
HANDS-ON: The Girard-Perregaux Laureato 38mm in gold — Italian industrialist chic
An important part of the process when reviewing a watch is imagining who the watch is for. Sometimes this perceived wearer can be quite general: “someone who wants a nice dive watch”. Or it can be a little more specific: “a 35-year-old frequent flyer who wants to make a subtle statement with their wrist”. In the case of these 38mm gold Laureatos my imagined wearer is a little more specific. Gianni Agnelli. If you’re not familiar with Mr Agnelli, you really should be. He was one of the most stylish men of the 20th century, a politician, industrialist and international playboy. In watch circles he’s also (in)famous for wearing his watch over his shirt cuff. So, how does all this relate to the Girard-Perregaux Laureato? Well, aside from the Italian link (the Laureato was originally designed by an Italian architect in 1975), if I had to describe this watch in two words it would be Retro-industrialist chic (I’m claiming the compound word as one). It’s really a watch that’s defined by lifestyle rather than function, an object of beauty that speaks to business, purpose and an extravagant life punctuated by long lunches. It’s also a dressier, more sartorially suited option… Read More
HANDS-ON: Two-tone with a twist — the Girard-Perregaux Laureato in titanium and pink gold
One of the most impressive collections we saw at SIHH 2017 was that of Girard-Perregaux, dominated by the sporty, ’70s-inspired Laureato collection. And while most of the Laureatos walked a pretty established product path — a top-end tourbillon, 42 and 38mm models in a few dials and case materials, as well as smaller, diamond-decked women’s models — one model stood out, both in terms of style and construction. I’m talking, of course, about the watch in the above picture, a 42mm two-tone Laureato in a bi-metallic case. And while two-tone is hardly unusual (especially this year, when it’s launched into legit ‘trend’ status), you don’t see too many watches in a mix of precious pink gold and technical titanium. Which, looking at this piece, is a little bit of a surprise, because, boy, does the combo work. Both metals have been given the brushed treatment, resulting in a slightly more muted, matt look that especially suits the grey titanium. There’s a version with fully integrated two-tone bracelet … that is, as they say, a strong look, but there’s also this croc-equipped option, which is nice and dressy. Of course this Laureato isn’t just a pretty case. It’s also got a dial to… Read More
INTRODUCING: The Girard-Perregaux Neo-Bridges
As one of the oldest continuing watch manufacturers in the world, Girard-Perregaux have a long, illustrious history of sharp and innovative designs. In 1889 at the Paris Universal Exhibition, the brand’s legendary pocket watch “Esmeralda”, a tourbillon with three gold bridges, was awarded first prize, establishing the motif as an emblematic design for the brand. Since then, the iconic Tourbillon with Three Bridges has formed the cornerstone of GP’s top tier collection. This year saw the addition of the Neo-Bridges, a “retro-futuristic” take on the design, which embodies the long-standing traditions of the brand while adopting its rediscovered forward-looking approach to watchmaking. Distinctively modern, the dial of the Neo-bridges is fully open-worked and essentially consists of an outer ring with suspended indices and minute markers – laying bare the front side of the newly developed automatic calibre GP08400-0001. However, the movement is anything but bare, with its inner workings showcased in a mixture of matt sandblasted finishes, an NAC-coated mainplate, and a PVD treatment on the hallmark bridges. These bridges span across the dial, with the lower bridge supporting the large, 10.15mm diameter, variable-inertia balance wheel (instead of the familiar tourbillon as seen on other models) – its generous size… Read More
HANDS-ON: The sleeper hit — Girard-Perregaux’s 1966 WW.TC in steel
Girard-Perregaux is one of Swiss watchmaking’s best-kept secrets. The La Chaux-de-Fonds based brand offers a complete — and compelling — package, fine pedigree, and a catalogue that ranges from the highest of high horology, through to some more accessible (yet still exceptional) pieces. But, for whatever reason, GP has long lacked the sort of name recognition they deserve, and which is enjoyed by some of their Helvetican siblings. But it feels like that’s on the cusp of change. Girard-Perregaux is back at the SIHH, with a particularly strong and focused collection. And while the Laureato is their shining star, there are plenty of other worthy offerings in the catalogue. Take, for example, the 1966 WW.TC in steel. The 1966 collection is GP’s clean, classic – and dare we say it, conservative – collection, and this is the first time the WW.TC (short for World Wide Time Control) has joined its ranks. Personally, I don’t think that the brand’s world timer has ever looked more at home. Previous versions of the watch have added chronographs, dates and superfluous complications. The 1966 WW.TC is stripped back to the essentials. A clean, legible city ring, easy to read 24-hour disc and small seconds…. Read More
