What is the new Girard-Perregaux Laureato Fifty?
Girard-Perregaux (GP) celebrated the 50th anniversary of its iconic Laureato last year by launching the Laureato Fifty in October, a two-tone model (3N yellow gold and steel) that debuted the new Manufacture Calibre GP4800.
The four new references enhance the Laureato Fifty collection. The two 39 mm references feature a gold dial and a blue enamel dial, and the two 36 mm references feature a gold dial and a silver colour dial. The Laureato’s most distinctive feature is the octagonal bezel.
“The Laureato Fifty unites some of the Manufacture’s most refined dial-making, finishing and movement execution within the enduring architecture of the Laureato, with particular attention devoted to wearability and comfort. From the softness of its lines and the fluid integration of the bracelet to the addition of a refined micro-adjustment system, every detail is designed to reinforce both precision and everyday ease. The result is perhaps the most immediate expression of 235 years of Girard-Perregaux expertise distilled into a single object.”
We take a close look at the four new references.
Also Read: Girard-Perregaux celebrates the Laureato’s 50th anniversary with a new model
What is the dial, case, and bracelet features of the 39 mm references?
Dial: 18K solid gold-toned dial and an in-house blue enamel dial, both featuring a “Clous de Paris” pattern. The dials of both references feature baton-shaped hour and minute hands and hour-markers, coated with Super-LumiNova (blue emission). Case: Both references feature a stainless steel case, measuring 39 mm (diameter) * 9.8 mm (thickness). Dial side features a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment. Caseback features a sapphire crystal. Water resistant up to 15 ATM or (approximately) 150 metres. Bracelet: Both references feature a stainless steel bracelet fitted with a triple folding clasp (with fine adjustment of 4 mm).
Name: Laureato Fifty Self-Winding 39 MM. Reference: 81008-11-3627-1CM (18K rose gold-toned dial). Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 20,500. Name: Laureato Fifty Self-Winding 39 MM. Reference: 81008-11-3530-1CM (blue enamel dial). Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 21,800.
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What is the dial, case, and bracelet features of the 36 mm references?
Dial: 18K solid gold-toned dial and a silver-coloured dial, both featuring a “Clous de Paris” pattern. The dials of both references feature baton-shaped hour and minute hands and hour-markers, coated with Super-LumiNova (blue emission). Case: Both references feature a stainless steel case, measuring 36 mm (diameter) * 9.8 mm (thickness). The bezel of the silver dial reference is adorned with 64 brilliant-cut diamonds (approximately 0.55 carats). Dial side features a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment. Caseback features a sapphire crystal. Water resistant up to 15 ATM or (approximately) 150 metres. Bracelet: Both references feature a stainless steel bracelet fitted with a triple folding clasp (with fine adjustment of 4 mm).
Name: Laureato Fifty Self-Winding 36 MM. Reference: 81006-11-3626-1CM. (18K rose gold-toned dial). Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 20,500. Name: Laureato Fifty Self-Winding 39 MM. Reference: 81006-11S3597-1CM (silver-coloured dial and gem set version). Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 21,500.
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Are they powered by an automatic movement?
Yes. All four references are powered by Manufacture Calibre GP4800, an automatic movement that GP introduced in September last year. It drives the central hours, minutes, seconds, and date (except for the blue enamel dial reference that does not have a date). It features advanced technical features such as a silicon escapement, stop seconds function, variable-inertia or free-sprung balance wheel and an improved winding system.
It measures 25.6 mm (diameter) or 11 ½ lignes, 4.28 mm (thickness), comprises 163 parts (references with date) or 149 parts (blue enamel dial does not feature a date), 19 jewels, beats at a modern frequency of 4 Hz or 28,800 vph and delivers a power reserve of 55 hours (minimum). The ten types of movement finishing includes “polishing, sandblasting, anglage, Geneva stripes, engraving, snailing, circular satin-brushing, circular graining, sunray finishing and straight graining.”
Also Read: GP4800: Girard-Perregaux’s epic new in-house calibre
What do we think?
Icons are important. They provide a distinctive identity and help a watch brand stand out, especially in today’s competitive 24/7 social-media obsessed global marketplace. Often laced with a several decades old (sometimes a century or more old too) story of how the design came about, the icons are usually the first stop for new customers of a watch brand.
As the decades move on, they must evolve to suit current style and trends, and include new materials, dials, bracelets, clasps, and movements. Yet making improvements without the design losing its essence is tricky and presents a delicate act for watch brands.
I had the opportunity to handle the two-tone Laureato Fifty during Dubai Watch Week last year. I have seen my fair share of Laureatos (at watch GTGs and those owned by friends) and was impressed at how the brand has given it a thorough update. Based on this, I can confidently vouch for the four new Laureato references. They are beautifully crafted with attractive dials (including one in-house enamel dial reference), steel cases and bracelets (including one gem set reference), and a modern, sophisticated, and robust automatic movement – what’s not to like. And best of all, priced accessibly (relatively speaking) at this level of haute horology. Any one of them will be an excellent watch to own. The blue enamel dial reference has made it to my wish list.
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Please visit girard.perregaux.com to learn more about the Laureato Fifty collection.
