ince its debut in 1975, the Laureato has become an icon of fine watchmaking, celebrated for its instantly recognisable design, in-house movement, and refined finishing. To pay tribute to this timeless symbol of horological excellence, Girard-Perregaux proudly unveils the new Laureato 42 mm, featuring an ancestral savoir-faire, a breathtaking grey Grand Feu enamel dial.

At the heart of this new timepiece lies a dial of exceptional depth and brilliance. Bearing a refined bluish hue, it owes its beauty to the demanding Grand Feu enamel technique. Crafted in-house in the Sowind Group, to which Girard-Perregaux belongs, this artisanal process underscores Girard-Perregaux’s commitment to craftsmanship of the highest order.

The enamel is composed of a precise mixture of silica, minium, potash, and soda, finely ground into powder and combined with metal oxides to achieve its nuanced hue. Layered carefully onto the dial, it is then fired at around 800°C in a kiln, repeated five to ten times, to achieve its flawless, radiant surface. Due to the unpredictability of this process, some of the dials are rejected as they feature slight imperfections. But those that survive emerge as enduring masterpieces, impervious to time, fading, or aging.

Adding to the allure of its subtly bluish grey colour, a sunray flinqué motif lies beneath the translucent enamel layer, revealing both the dial’s brilliance and its sense of depth. The choice naturally fell on enamel for this Laureato: a texture that gives the dial depth and subtle variations in colour. It is also a captivating material, selected to eternally adorn this new timepiece, unchanging as time passes.

While the dial captures attention, the rest of the timepiece remains true to the unmistakable Laureato design language. The distinctive octagonal bezel, set atop a circular plinth and tonneau-shaped case, creates a harmonious play of shapes and light. Alternating polished and satin-brushed surfaces enrich the steel case’s visual complexity.

Thanks to its slim profile and integrated bracelet, the Laureato is known for its exceptional comfort and timeless style. Rhodium-plated baton hands mark the hours and minutes, while the slender central seconds hand features a counterweight inspired by the iconic Girard-Perregaux Gold Bridge, a discreet tribute to the maison’s horological DNA. The date aperture at 3 o’clock is elegantly executed, with white numerals on a colour-matched disc, in perfect harmony with the dial.

Like the original model launched in 1975, the new Laureato 42 mm is driven by an in-house calibre, now the GP01800 automatic movement, entirely developed and assembled at the manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Measuring just 3.97 mm thick, this self-winding movement offers a power reserve of at least 54 hours.

Every detail of the calibre reflects Girard-Perregaux’s rigorous standards: a pink gold oscillating weight adorned with circular Côtes de Genève, straight Côtes de Genève on the bridges, mirror-polished screws, beveled edges, circular graining on the main plate, and gilded engravings. These exceptional finishes are hallmarks of the high watchmaking that has defined the brand’s reputation for more than 230 years.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Reference: GP01800-2524

MOVEMENT

• Self-winding mechanical movement with pink gold oscillating weight
• Diameter: 30.00 mm (131/4’’’)
• Height: 3.97 mm
• Frequency: 28,800 Vib/h – (4 Hz)
• Number of components: 191
• Number of jewels: 28
• Power reserve: min. 54 hours
• Functions: hours, minutes, central second, date

CASE

• Material: steel, polished and satin finished
• Diameter: 42.00 mm
• Height: 10.68 mm
• Glass: anti-reflective sapphire crystal
• Case-back: sapphire crystal
• Dial: grey enamel with a flinqué sunray motif, rhodium-plated GP logo and indexes
• Hands: ‘baton’ type, rhodium plated
• Water resistance: 100 metres (10 ATM)

BRACELET

• Material: steel, polished and satin finished