Girard-Perregaux debuts extensive and varied Laureato collection at SIHH

This year marked the return of Girard-Perregaux, one of SIHH’s founding members, after four years at Baselworld.

So perhaps it was fitting for the maison to mark its return with the revival of its Laureato collection.

The Laureato, which was introduced during the 1970s, was revived briefly last year as a special commemorative piece to mark the brand’s 225th anniversary. This year, it debuts as a fully-fleshed out collection.

The Laureato was noted for its sporty, elegant yet clean design that made it suitable for business and play. The secret to its versatility lied in the design of its bezel, which featured an octagonal structure within a circular bezel. Designed by a Milanese architect, special attention was paid to the octagon to ensure the angles were curved to give it a more relaxed look.

The new Laureato collection features a breathtaking number of models, prompting the brand to declare, “the Laureato range has never been this extensive or varied”. Nearly 30 references equipped with self-winding or quartz movements and housed in cases of steel, gold, two-tone steel paired with gold, or titanium are available. There are four case sizes: 34mm, 38mm, 42mm and 45mm. The 45mm version features a tourbillon, while the 34mm model features a diamond-studded bezel. Power reserves range from 46 to 54 hours.

The theme of clean lines was carried throughout the maison’s presentation this year. Of note was the WW.TC, the newest addition to its 1966 collection. The WW.TC, which stands for World Wide Time Control, boasts sleek, minimalist lines and an easy-to-read dial. The dial features 24 world cities evenly spaced out and complem­ented by a rotating black-and-white day and night indicator, making this timepiece suitable for someone who travels a lot. Inside the 40mm case ticks the GP03300 manufacture automatic movement fitted with an additional in-house module, which comes with a
46-hour power reserve. Steel and pink gold versions, accompanied by either black alligator leather or steel straps, are available.

The brand also presented a Neo-Bridges automatic titanium watch, a re-invention of its signature Three Bridges Tourbillon design. The timepiece is powered by a new GP08400 self-winding 14 ¼-ligne movement with micro-rotor, and comes with a power reserve of 50 hours. At 6 o’clock is a large 10.15mm variable-inertia balance wheel, which complements and aesthetically balances out the dial for a look described as “retro-futurist”.

Perhaps the most visually stunning timepiece is the Tri-Axial Planetarium, which pairs its signature tri-axial tourbillon with two miniature-painted complications – a 3D rotating globe with day and night indicator, and a moon phase.

The hand-painted globe features cartography that depicts the world as cartographers from 1791 – the year Girard-Perregaux was founded – knew it. The moon phase shows selenography as astrologers studied it in the 17th century – when the telescope was invented.

The beautifully crafted complications are housed inside a 48mm pink gold case and powered by a hand-wound manufacture GP09310-001 calibre. The case features a curved case middle, a bevelled bezel and cambered lugs, which increases the watch’s appeal.