Girard-Perregaux debuts its sixth collaboration with Aston Martin, marking the beginning of the latest Formula 1 season
Zach Blass- Girard-Perregaux coincides its latest, green-tinged Laureato debut with F1 75, an event launching all the new Formula 1 season’s liveries.
- The sixth collaboration between the two takes the form of a titanium 42mm Laureato Chronograph with an iridescent green automotive paint dial.
- The new Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin is limited to 188 pieces, priced at US$22,700.
Girard-Perregaux has had ample success with its Aston Martin editions, which explains why the watchmaker is back with its sixth collaboration with the storied British car manufacturer (which also has its own F1 team). Probably my favourite Girard-Perregaux of all time, not just out of its Aston Martin editions, but across its entire catalogue, is the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Green Ceramic Aston Martin Edition introduced in 2023. That 38mm and 42mm pair continued the tradition of a green dial with a diamond cross-hatched pattern, but today’s new Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Edition steers into new territory.
This entirely new green dial still pays tribute to racing heritage, but it’s not a British Racing Green the likes of which we’ve seen previously, nor does it have a cross-hatched texture. Instead, this special green dial uses iridescent automotive paint to achieve its distinct green-to-orange gradient depending on the angle. All the hands, counters, indices, and GP logo have been given a “black-or” treatment, while the semi-skeletonised hands are supposedly inspired by Aston’s distinctive front grille. According to Girard-Perregaux, it’s a very intricate dial to manufacture. As our Australian Editor Jamie can attest, having seen it for himself at Aston Martin’s Gaydon factory, Aston Martin is known for its meticulous approach to paintwork. Bringing this approach to a watch is very novel.
“Its fabrication involves 14 manufacturing steps alone, while the eye-catching hue is achieved by applying 15 ultra-thin layers of paint to the dial surface and subjecting it to two cooking cycles to achieve the desired look,” Girard-Perregaux explains. “The tolerances involved in creating the paint for a watch are much smaller than those employed in the automotive sector and involve a protracted filtration method to eradicate any residual grains that could potentially mar the overall aesthetic.” You can’t easily buff out a watch dial!
Grade 5 titanium was selected as the material of choice for the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin due to the lightweight, robust, and hypoallergenic nature of the metal. It also arrives on the heels of the first-ever titanium Laureato Chronograph that debuted last year. It’s only 12.6mm thick, which is rather slender for a chronograph, and has a 100-metre depth rating that gives it bonafide daily-wearer status beyond the comfort of being on land. Inside, and exhibited beneath a commemorative caseback etched with the Aston Martin logo, ticks the brand’s in-house automatic GP03300 calibre with 46 hours of power reserve. It’s decorated rather nicely with perlage, striping, and bevelling. Though the watch is limited to 188 pieces, there is no denotation engraved into the caseback.
While car fanatics may have preferred the more overt throughlines to Aston Martin in previous editions, as someone who is not particularly vehicularly inclined, I appreciate that this design would hold up even if it was not an Aston Martin edition. Yes, there is a link between the dial, Aston Martin, and performance cars, but even without the romance of the partnership, the dial is simply very eye-catching. With the Laureato and Laureato Chronograph already piquing the interest of those seeking out integrated bracelet watches, this iridescent green dial stands to draw watch fans even more, regardless of whether they know what a DB12 is. It is worth noting that this 188-piece limited edition, compared to the regular production titanium model introduced last year, commands a US$3,300 premium, for a total price of US$22,700. Perhaps this is where the romance of racing, Aston Martin, and an intricate dial will need to move the needle for those questioning the premium.
Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Edition pricing and availability
The Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Edition is available now as a limited edition of 188 pieces. Price: US$22,700
| Brand | Girard-Perregaux |
| Model | Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Edition |
| Reference Number | 81020-21-3398-1CM |
| Case Dimensions | 42mm (D) x 12.6mm (T) |
| Case Material | Grade 5 titanium |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Iridescent green automotive paint |
| Lug Width | Integrated |
| Strap | Titanium integrated bracelet with butterfly clasp |
| Movement | GP03300, in-house, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 46 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, chronograph |
| Availability | Limited to 188 pieces |
| Price | US$22,700 |