VIDEO: Graduating with the Girard-Perregaux Laureato 42mm

Nick Kenyon

As the 1960s drew to a close, the Swiss watch industry found itself entering one of the most significant periods of turmoil it would ever experience. Its response to the accurate and affordable watches coming out of Asia was not to compete in a race to the bottom — instead, the Swiss took the high road, and doubled down on the fact that watches would remain status objects even in the face of cheaper, practical quartz versions. The largest manufacturers in the world began producing luxury sports watches for the first time, and in the process they eschewed precious metals, preferring steel. Girard-Perregaux made their offering, among some famous company, in the form of their Laureato model, which debuted in 1975.

A robust and recognisable watch, the Laureato has formed an important pillar of the Girard-Perregaux collection for several decades, with examples in a range of configurations. Here, we take a look at the steel time and date Laureato on a leather strap, which offers sportiness with a dash of dress watch that would see it comfortable at both the beach and in the boardroom.

Girard-Perregaux Laureato 42mm price

The Girard-Perregaux Laureato 42mm is $15,600 AUD

Made in partnership with Girard-Perregaux. However, the opinions expressed in this article are our own in accordance with our Editorial Policy.