Girard-Perregaux has unveiled a new expression of the company’s iconic timepiece that burst onto the watch scene back in 1975. The Laureato Chronograph Ti49 unites the model’s intricately shaped case design with ultra-desirable Grade 5 titanium
First released in 1975, the ‘Laureato’ was initially called the ‘Quartz Chronometer,’ but soon became known as the ‘the graduate (Laureato in Italian) of the school of Girard-Perregaux’. With a significant birthday around the corner, Girard-Perregaux celebrates the 49th anniversary of its iconic watch with the release of the Laureato Chronograph Ti49.
The watch is housed in a 42 mm case and subscribes to the iconic design language first seen on the inaugural model of 1975. The octagonal bezel sits atop a circular plinth, which in turn rests upon a tonneau-shaped case. The elaborate profile of the case freely engages with light, courtesy of its many facets and angles, producing pockets of brilliance and shade.
The hue of this ultra-desirable alloy bestows a warm appearance. Moreover, by using Grade 5 titanium, Girard-Perregaux has also been able to endow the Laureato Chronograph Ti49 with refined, contrasting finishes. Brushed surfaces are juxtaposed with polished highlights. Indeed, the aforementioned circular plinth, the beautifully defined case edges, chronograph pushers as well as the central links of the bracelet are all presented in gleaming form.
The Manufacture has sought to accentuate titanium’s grey hue by embracing a palette of monochromatic shades. The dial is grey and enriched with a Clous de Paris pattern, a feature that will inevitably appeal to brand devotees. Grey PVD-treated baton-style hour and minute hands are teamed with matching baton-type indexes. Both the hands and indexes are lined with white luminescent material and emit a white glow in dim light.
Three snailed counters: a 30-minute chronograph register, a 12-hour chronograph register and a small seconds display, punctuate the textured dial. A date display, located between 4 and 5 o’clock completes the list of functions. The GP logo, name, minute track, as well as the markings encircling the counters, are all executed in white, contrasting wonderfully with the grey coloured dial and aiding readability.
The Manufacture Calibre GP03300 resides within the lightweight exterior of the Laureato Chronograph Ti49. This self-winding movement, comprising 419 components, is beautifully finished. It is adorned with several forms of decoration, including ‘Côtes de Genève’, both in circular and straight form, circular graining, satin finish, chamfering, mirror polishing, snailing, engravings, sunray finish as well as featuring blued steel screws. All types of finishing are skilfully imparted by the Maison’s team of talented craftspeople and watchmakers.
