The new Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute assortment was a little bit of a shock for just a few causes when it was introduced this 12 months at SIHH. Simply two years after the historic Swiss model launched the complete vary of the revamped Laureato, Girard-Perregaux releases this bolder and sportier iteration of their most well-known assortment. We lined the Laureato Absolute chronograph model again in January, however I wished to try the straightforward three-hand mannequin that’s supposed to be an on a regular basis look ahead to a special demographic than the model usually reaches out to.
Girard-Perregaux has had a outstanding previous three years. Through the quick however impactful time Antonio Calce was model CEO (2015-2018), the model discontinued their “Hawk” assortment. When you’ll bear in mind, the Sea Hawk and Chrono Hawk had been the first sports activities watch choices from Girard-Perregaux from about 2012 by way of 2016 when the model was run by Michele Sofisti. In fact, the historic Laureato was discontinued in 2012 and returned in 2016, although the variations that had been being produced in 2012 had been fashions just like the Evo three so it was in all probability essential to wipe the board clear and begin over with the revival Laureato of 2016. (Aspect notice, older Girard-Perregaux Sea-Hawk watches just like the reference 7100 or 7300 had been very enticing and I’d like to see these get a Laureato-like comeback)
Patrick Pruniaux now runs two Kering Group manufacturers as he took over as CEO of Girard Perregaux in late 2018, a few 12 months after he grew to become CEO of Ulysse Nardin. In fact, as nearly everybody studying this already is aware of, Mr. Pruniaux labored at Apple earlier than the Ulysse Nardin gig, serving to launch the Apple Watch within the UK and Eire. It in all probability gained’t be till 2020 that we are going to actually start to see Pruniaux’s imaginative and prescient for Girard-Perregaux however I did need to notice the pace and success with which the model has revived their sport watch assortment.
Now, onto the Laureato Absolute watch at hand. I feel placing “985ft/300m” quite than “1,000ft/300m” was a intelligent approach to attract consideration not simply to the spectacular water resistance of the watch. Firstly, it’s a approach to distinguish your self from rivals by truly being extra correct, which is a trait you’d suppose watch manufacturers could be extra involved with getting proper since they’re supposedly within the professed enterprise of constructing precision devices. The case of the Laureato Absolute is in near black PVD-coated titanium with fairly good ending. It additionally has a “controversial” rubber strap with the Girard-Perregaux model title on it. Not everybody loves this strap but it surely does sure add persona.
The design and supplies on this product make the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute an precise luxurious sports activities watch that may perform as a real “on a regular basis put on.” A snug rubber strap paired with a not too-flashy darkish titanium case with greater than sufficient sport resistance makes for a really versatile watch that many haven’t seen from the model shortly. It could possibly’t be underestimated how interesting worry-free versatility is in even a really costly watch. Individuals as of late increasingly watch merchandise that may put up with the abuse from even a jet-setting life-style.
The blue gradient sunray-finish dial with the intense crimson seconds hand on the black PVD case is someway each an simply distinguishable mixture and in addition a reasonably secure design selection. I feel it appears to be like nice, although and the date-window at 6 o’clock is a type of appreciated touches that ought to get its due reward. Not everybody likes the crimson hand – which appears to be like worse within the model’s advertising photos because it does in particular person. With that stated, this watch would additionally look glorious if the central seconds hand was completed in a extra demure colour.
As stated above, what isn’t as unanimously well-received or secure is the choice to the put the phrases GIRARD and PERREGAUX on both aspect of the rubber strap (which after all could be changed). The built-in rubber strap with blue stitching is implausible… however I can think about greater than a few people who find themselves on the cusp of shopping for a Laureato Absolute solely to resolve to attend till one other strap choice with out this branding turns into accessible. Observe: I truly see now that Mr. Porter goes to hold this watch that curiously sufficient appears to be like prefer it comes on the strap sans textual content. It appears to be like so a lot better, for my part.
At 44mm large, it’s the largest Laureato out in manufacturing presently because the basic model tops out at 42mm. It’s additionally thicker at 14.65mm, the place the 42mm Laureato is significantly slimmer at 10.88mm thick. What’s pure Laureato is that octagonal case form that dates again to 1975, and it’s a welcome bolder execution of the design. Girard-Perregaux has efficiently refreshed and rebranded the Laureato line over the previous three years, and the addition of the extra aggressively designed, sporty Absolute assortment inside such a short while body is a rarity amongst Swiss watch manufacturers.
Err, sorry. Please attempt to disregard that sticker
The Laureato Absolute differs from the basic Laureato assortment for an additional purpose ,which is that the case again is enclosed. Clearly, that is completed for the sake of the water resistance and Girard-Perregaux finds this to be a worthy trade-off for the kind of purchaser they’re going for right here. Inside is the in-house made GP 3300-1060 automated motion that was truly discovered within the limited-edition Laureato from 2016, which was changed with the extra enticing GP 1800 within the basic, non-limited Laureato that got here a 12 months later in 2017. Truthful sufficient, because the motion isn’t seen anyway. The GP 3300 discovered within the Laureato Absolute operates at 28,8000 vph and has a 46-hour energy reserve.
A sensible choice from the model this 12 months, the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute is priced at $9,900 USD on the rubber strap which is about $2,000 lower than the 42mm metal Laureato on the bracelet. You may be taught extra at girard-perregaux.com
