A Look Inside The Girard-Perregaux Laureato Flying Tourbillon Skeleton

A flying tourbillon is often the cherry on top of what is already a great watch, and this goes for sure Laureato Flying Tourbillon Skeleton, which Girard-Perregaux launched earlier this year at the SIHH in Geneva. Created in 1975, the Laureato was Girard-Perregaux’s contribution to what would become the golden age of the premium stainless steel sports watch.

Despite its appearance is this Laureato Flying Tourbillon Skeleton not crafted from stainless steel, but from 18K white gold instead, with a full rose gold version available as well. Perhaps an even more fitting material for such a precious watch, whose lines have recently been refined by Stefano Macaluso. The result is a watch that is quite modestly sized with a diameter of 42mm, yet looks very imposing. This is mainly thanks to the stunning skeletonized movement, which is a perfect fit for the case.

Caliber GP 09520-0001 is crafted from 262 components, which can be admired when you look through the skeletonised bridges at the inside of the movement. The skeletonisation has been done in a modern fashion, with the bridges shaped like arcs which were given a black PVD finish. This gives a pleasant contrast with the gold Laureato case, and at the same time highlights the flying tourbillon. Because its relatively large size, and the lack of a bridge covering the front, hence the term “flying”, make it that the tourbillon can be admired in all its glory, and adding even an extra dimension to this skeleton watch.

Opposite of the tourbillon, we find the mainspring barrel, which gives the Laureato a power reserve of 50 hours. The barrel itself is also skeletonized, allowing you to see the mainspring. While this watch is not equipped with a power reserve indicator, owners will be able to judge, with some exercise, the power reserve by looking how far the spring is wound.

All combined is the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Flying Tourbillon Skeleton a very precious watch. Not only because of its 18K gold case and bracelet, or exquisite skeleton movement with flying tourbillon, but even more so how everything is brought together int one single, imposing composition.