Girard-Perregaux
Girard-Perregaux Debuts Three New Laureato Absolute Watches
There were two great names associated with the notable designs of this era, Gérald Genta and Jorg Hysek, as well as a smattering of other names. One is a now-forgotten Italian architect who helped Girard-Perregaux design its own integrated bracelet sports chic watch, the Laureato in 1975. Last year, the brand introduced an update to the Laureato ahead of its 35th anniversary with the Laureato Absolute, a sportier variant of the original watch in a titanium housing with black PVD treatment and an accentuated form.
Absolutely Rockin’
The curved octagonal bezel sits on a brushed case middle which is sharply angled, tapering away to the edge of the case for a highly industrial appearance, paired with an integrated bracelet or rubber strap. A concept watch, the Laureato Absolute Rock, which was made in forged carbon with pigmented glass fibres embedded, was also presented to the public.
The dial displays a small seconds display at 3, 12-hour totaliser at 6 and 30-minute totaliser at 9 o’clock, with a small date aperture between 4 and 5 o’clock. Thanks to the pigmented glass fibres embedded in the case, it delivers an ethereal beauty to the case in daylight and in the dark.
Movement
Self-winding GP03300-1058; chronograph; 4Hz; power reserve of 46 hours
Case
44mm carbon glass; carbon glass octagon bezel; dial composed of two superimposed, hollowed plates
Strap
Black rubber with a ‘fabric-effect’ and blue topstitching; PVD-treated titanium buckle with a micro-adjustment system
Limited to 100 pieces
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Absolute Passion
Two other models of the Laureato Absolute have also emerged this year, along with the Absolute Rock. They continue to expand on the collection’s first models, with new technologies showcased in these timepieces.
A new special edition of the Laureato Absolute chronograph has also been released in a limited edition of 50. The Absolute Passion is constructed in a titanium case with red accents on the pushers and dial in a bold Ferrari red with sunray finishing and circular graining on the 3D dial counters, as well as red hour markers.
Movement
Self-winding GP03300-1058; chronograph; 4Hz; power reserve of 46 hours
Case
44mm titanium with PVD treatment; water resistant to 300 meters (30 atm)
Strap
Rubber with red fabric effect and red stitches; PVD-treated titanium buckle with micro adjustment system
Limited to 50 pieces
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Clear As Light
The Laureato Absolute Light shows off the watch from all angles thanks to a sapphire-and-titanium case, with a case middle, bezel and caseback that’s all machined out of sapphire crystal. The main plate itself is an octagon-shaped piece that’s screwed in place to the case and can be seen from the front and back of the watch. It’s the first time the brand has developed an octagonal main plate and it’s truly quite a unique design for the redesigned skeleton GP1800 caliber, which has bridges treated with an anthracite NAC coating for that monochromatic look. The skeleton rotor in gold keeps the movement running smoothly while giving one a relatively unhindered view of the movement from front and back, a swell as the flanges.
Movement
Self-winding GP01800-1143; 4 Hz; 54 hours power reserve
Case
44mm sapphire and titanium case; 11.56 mm height; sapphire crystal display back engraved with “Limited Edition of 88”; water resistant to 30 meters (3 atm)
Strap
Black rubber; titanium buckle with with micro-adjustment system
Limited to 88 pieces
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