Out Of The Blue: Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph

Architecture and design: two essential elements in the haute horlogerie world to which Girard-Perregaux belongs. This is where the Laureato, the historical watch created in the 70s and revisited in 2017 for the 225th anniversary of the Maison, plunges its roots.

The Laureato doesn’t only represent a piece of history for the brand, but it is also the watch of the present and the future. A youthful and dynamic project, able to take on different shapes and facets.

Today, two years after its comeback and after being presented in different designs and materials, the Laureato is transformed again, maturing to become Absolute. A new collection brings us down below, to a depth of 300 meters.

With a stronger and more sporty 44 mm diameter case clad in black PVD-treated titanium and its integrated strap, the new Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute is a perfect partner for the summer.

The watch is available in three versions: only time, chronograph and worldtime. We were lucky enough to wear it for a short period, and we chose the more sporty model: the Chrono.

Considering the time of the year, we let ourselves be inspired by the new Absolute’s shapes and colours. Thus, we decided to add a pinch of “salt” to this experience: to get to discover it in a place which, in our opinion, is best suited to explore its characteristics and appreciate its potential… the sea! A perfect “trait d’union” bringing together watches and navigation, during an ABSOLUTELY Insanity experience.

Loyal to the Laureato’s history and design, we contacted Mylius, an Italian ship yard characterised by its essential sports lines. Thanks to them, we boarded on the “Jecalu”, a magnificent Mylius 60’ – a sailing yacht over 18 meters long with a full carbon hull. Just like the Laureato Absolute collection, the Mylius 60’ is the evolution of an already existing model. After the previous model’s success, built between 2013 and 2015, the Mylius 60’ was entirely redesigned in 2017 to offer a more comfortable experience during cruise and a higher performance while racing.

Geared for cruising and easy sailing, this yacht is characterised by a gray hull and oak-wood interiors, a master cabin with bathroom, a dinette with facing couches, a C-shaped kitchen, and two double cabins for guests.

Outside, our Laureato Absolute Chronograph entirely captured the essence and sports spirit of the sea, thanks to the new dark blue, satin-brushed dial with a sunburst finish fading to black towards the edges, and its rèhaut clad in white. The chronograph function is represented by 2 classical counters at 6 and 9 o’clock, and a long seconds hand in the center. The dial, made of two superimposed plates, unveils the baton-type indexes underneath, displaying the small seconds at 3 o’clock and the date in a little window between 4 and 5 o’clock. Hours and minutes are indicated by two baton-type hands coated with Superluminova. Protecting the watch, a glareproofed sapphire crystal with blue glass seal is held down by the octagonal bezel characterising the Laureato collection. Within, the automatic caliber “GP03300-1060” guarantees 46 hours of power reserve.

Because of the use of titanium, the generous dimensions of the case don’t impact the wearability: Absolute is always light and easy to wear. The colours merge gently between the case and dial, giving the watch a “chameleon effect” offering beautiful reflections under the light. The crown and pushers, both in black PVD-treated titanium, are fully integrated and don’t bother the wrist at all. Indications are perfectly visible, and the date – written in white on a black plate – absolutely doesn’t ruin the dial thanks to its dimensions and color shades. Water resistant up to 300 meters, with its rubber strap the Laureato Absolute is equipped to resist any type of aquatic adventure.

The new Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph is available to the public from July at the price of €13.200. This price is aligned with the positioning of the brand and, most of all, with Girard-Perregaux’s – one of the oldest Swiss haute horlogerie manufactures – limited production.