Girard-Perregaux revisits a classic from the 1970s in this elegant new take on the Laureato in pink gold and onyx
The design of the 1970s can certainly be polarising, bringing to mind bold geometric shapes, earthy tones of orange and brown, and patterns aplenty that are perhaps best left in the past decades. However, for horology, the era ushered in some of the industry’s most innovative – and sophisticated – designs, as the advent of quartz forced watchmakers to be ever-more adventurous both technically and aesthetically.
One of the most enduring creations to come out of the time is Girard-Perregaux’s Laureato. Its clean-cut, angular silhouette is made all the more compelling by the carefully composed layering of forms and finishes. Its octagonal bezel sits atop a circular ring, placed on top of the tonneau-shaped case. The mix of polished and satin-finished surfaces add to the interplay of light, which extends to its integrated metal bracelet.
This latest iteration is a take on the fifth-generation version of the watch, first released in 2017. Now, it has been rendered in a 42mm size in an elegant mix of pink gold, sharply contrasted with a deep-black onyx dial. The latter is particularly challenging to produce, requiring no fewer than 15 different operations to achieve the flawless, mirror-like finish. While the original Laureato was quartz, this particular model makes use of Girard-Perregaux’s finest in-house mechanical watchmaking, the automatic movement offering 54 hours of power reserve and finely finished using a mix of intricate decorative techniques.
