Girard-Perregaux Laureato, which was re-launched earlier this year at the SIHH trade show, is under the spotlight with the Ref. 80189D56A331-56A model from the new collection’s most compact sub-line with a diameter of 34mm.
Girard-Perregaux Laureato, which was among the models that included the sporty luxury watch concept of the 70s in the watchmaking literature, met with the watch aficionados at the SIHH 2018 watch trade show and received great acclaim. Presented in 42, 38 and 34mm diameter case options, Laureato made a solid comeback with a wide range of models offering both aesthetic and functional new features. Here we are with the Ref. 80189D56A331-56A model that is designed for ladies.
Laureato, associated with the cult models such as Audemars Piguet - Royal Oak and Patek Philippe - Nautilus, which have left their marks on 70s luxury watchmaking, continues to be a stylish alternative in the luxury sports watch segment.
Bi-Color watches, which have remained in the back especially in the 2000s, are becoming popular again for the past two years. The segment, which offers unmatched versatility not only for women but for men as well, includes many models from brands with various price ranges.
The model we opted for the review (Ref. 80189D56A331-56A) is included in the 34mm sub-line created with ladies in mind. The model comes in a 34mm diameter case, which is quite normal for a ladies watch in today’s standards. Offered in stainless steel with 18K pink gold accents as per the Bi-Color concept, the masculine looking case is successfully softened to be an elegant ladies’ watch with the signature octagonal bezel set with 56 pieces (~ 0,82 ct) of brilliant cut diamonds. The case is equipped with a scratch resistant sapphire crystal on the front side and a solid stainless steel case back at the rear side. The model is water resistant to 30 meters / 3 bars.
The model’s dial is designed in the same gold tone that is in perfect harmony with the 18K pink gold accents. Dial surface pattern, one of the indispensable elements of the luxury sports watch concept, is the classic "Clou de Paris" motif. Although the dial with no second hand takes a full note from us in terms of simplicity and legibility, there is no doubt that a date disk designed with a champagne or cream colored background would offer a much more elegant stance than the plain white used in the model’s dial.
Girard-Perregaux Laureato 34mm (Ref. 80189D56A331-56A) is powered by the manufacture Caliber Ref. GP013100-0002. There is not much to say about this Quartz movement, but it is worth noting that the movement is decorated with Côtes de Genève patterns despite being a battery-operated caliber that is covered with a solid case back. Additionally, let me remind you that Girard-Perregaux had a significant role in the 80s Quartz revolution (I am not sure if this a good or bad thing) in terms of research and development processes like manufacturing the first Quartz movement that was compact enough to power up a ladies watch (1978).
The model comes with a metal bracelet, which is designed to be integrated with the case. The bracelet is offered with mirror polished 18K pink gold center links and matt stainless steel sides and secured with a triple folding clasp.
Girard-Perregaux Laureato was one of the best novelties that I’ve had the chance to see in 2018. I don’t forget the fact that the new collection has been criticized for not being unique enough due to its design, which includes similar details with Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus models - which I also partly agree with. However, I don’t think reducing the common design language of the 70s into a couple of brands or models is not fair either.
