Girard-Perregaux Celebrates Laureato’s Powerful Silhouette with New Iteration

To celebrate the nature of the original 1975 Laureato’s contrasting spirit, Girard-Perregaux has released two new iterations of the iconic watch: The Laureato Absolute Light & Shade and the Laureato Light & Fire. The new Laureato Light & Shade draws on the Maison’s amassed watchmaking know-how and employs its vast expertise working with innovative materials. Measuring 44 mm in diameter, the case of this latest model is made from metallised sapphire crystal, endowing the watch with a fascinating brilliance. On one hand, the model exhibits a visually light appearance and bestows transparency, while conversely it looks dark and reflective.

Girard-Perregaux has mastered the art of combining aesthetics with functionality. The Maison’s Absolute Laureato Line is proof positive that this combination of looks and utility is still going strong. The new Laureato Absolute Light & Shade upholds this ethos by revealing the movement to glorious effect courtesy of the sapphire crystal case. The mainplate of the in-house movement, the Calibre GP01800-1143, is octagonal-shaped, a respectful nod to the Laureato’s famous bezel. The skeletonized movement reveals a plethora of parts normally hidden from view, providing a fascinating vista of curves and lines enriched with pockets of light and shade. The barrel is open-worked, affording sight of the mainspring in various degrees of tension. Likewise, the balance wheel can be seen oscillating to-and-fro in a bewitching dance.

Photo Credit: Girard-Perregaux

The second new iteration of this iconic timepiece, the Laureator Light & Fire, pays homage to the Chinese New Year by revealing a deep and captivating red color- an intense red that plays with light, like the burning embers of a flame.

Limited to just 18 pieces, the model shares much in common with the Laureato Absolute Light & Shade but is housed in a new polycrystalline material named YAG. Similar to sapphire crystal, this translucent material is hard and scratch-resistant, but also offers a variety of dark shades. This later characteristic was particularly important to the Maison’s design team who looked to dress the limited-edition timepiece in a deep red vibrant hue, a color that evokes thoughts of energy, vitality and prosperity.