Girard-Perregaux: Laureato Absolute Light

To improve perfection. For those who love and know the watchmaking world, the sentence which may sound like a contradiction in terms is actually the ambition which boosts each Maison in the quest for new timepieces or new solutions. The improvement of perfection is a challenge for those brands, such as Girard-Perregaux, which keep in their collections models that have entered the myth, such as the Laureato.

There is no need to remember the story of the “Prince” of Girard-Perregaux, sketched in 1975 by the pencil of a Milanese architect, with its shapes inspired by the lesson of Gerald Genta and an integrated bracelet beloved at that time and rediscovered today. A watch that has spanned the decades while remaining accurate to itself and encountering, from time to time, complications, different sizes and materials. Speaking of materials, the last and most fascinating is sapphire, which gives life to the Laureato Absolute Light.

This timepiece enriches the Absolute line of the Laureato collection, presented for the first time during SIHH 2019 when Girard-Perregaux developed it in three versions: three hands, world timer and chronograph. If Watches & Wonders Geneva had been held, the Absolute Light would probably have grabbed the spotlight, but we all know what happened… 

IN THE NAME OF 8

The new interpretation of the Laureato Absolute Light brings together form and function; not a great idea, you will say: all the Maisons boast of blending these two elements together. That’s true, but Girard-Perregaux does it in a brilliant way, transforming the technical components of the watch into distinctive design elements.

For the first time, in fact, the mainplate is octagonal and screwed together with the bezel, case and case-back on the eight angles of the octagon, highlighting its iconic shape. All in the shape of an octagon in a 44mm case of sapphire and titanium. Eight, sign and symbol of infinity – and lucky number in Chinese culture, which more and more brands wink at -, comes again in the number of pieces of this limited edition: 88.

LAUREATO ABSOLUTE LIGHT: A HYMN TO TRANSPARENCY

Sapphire, we said. It is not the first time that Girard-Perregaux has tested itself with this ultra-modern material, as demonstrates the masterpiece named Quasar Light. The contrast between the modernity of the material and the classicism of the three-bridge movement stuns the enthusiast in that watch, while in the Laureato Absolute Light we’re astonished by the futuristic whole of the timepiece, enhanced by the crystalline sapphire case which allows for a stunning transparent view of the movement from all sides, with a perfect light reflection on its mat and polished surfaces. 

The caliber in full view is a reinterpreted version of the GP01800 skeleton automatic movement, with 28,000 vibrations/hour. The NAC-treated mainplate and bridges – NAC is a dark coating that offers superior strength and durability compared to other similar treatments – are of a bold anthracite gray, which stands out in the light of the case, and feature no less than four different finishes.

The oscillating weight in hollowed-out gold has a particular shape that does not nullify the work of transparency of the sapphire, because it ensures the movement is clearly visible in Girard-Perregaux’s signature style. The black NAC-treated ring is another creative particularity of the Laureato Absolute Light: its 12 curved sections between mirror-polished triangles act as futuristic hour-markers.

FROM STEEL TO RUBBER

As we mentioned before, one of the most beautiful features of the Laureato has always been the integrated bracelet. In the Laureato Absolute Light Graduate, steel is replaced by a soft and highly resistant rubber strap which perfectly integrates with the watch, as if the two components were a single piece. The micro-adjustment system on the buckle ensures ultimate wearing comfort on the wearer’s wrist. Sure not to go unnoticed.. (Price €. 87.000 )

By Davide Passoni