The Laureato by Girard-Perregaux: aesthetics and functionality since 1975

The 1970s were an extraordinary era for design. Everyday objects were creatively reinterpreted while respecting two basic principles: aesthetics and functionality.

In the world of Haute Horlogerie, this design prowess was manifested in a series of original steel watches with integrated bracelets , created in a short span of time by several prestigious brands. Among them, the Laureato stands out as the only model developed entirely in-house, from design to movement. Today, only a few models from that era have managed to stand the test of time, retaining their aesthetic appeal intact over the years.

Girard-Perregaux, a pioneering maison of fine watchmaking

Since 1791, Girard-Perregaux has celebrated the ever-elusive rhythm of time.

Surrounded by the Jura mountains and located in the heart of La Chaux-de-Fonds, the Maison is a pioneer in the field of Haute Horlogerie . An independent manufacture for over two centuries, it has preserved its status by successfully maintaining the entire production process in-house and by passing on extraordinary watchmaking expertise from generation to generation.

This savoir-faire, combined with a deep passion for beauty and art, is the secret of Girard-Perregaux's continuous renewal.

Always seeking the perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality, enthusiasts of fine watchmaking immediately recognize the Maison's signature elements, such as the iconic octagonal bezel of the Laureato or the legendary tourbillon with "Three Golden Bridges".

From attempting to create reference codes for timepieces to making the invisible visible through precision engineering , Girard-Perregaux has never ceased to revolutionize watchmaking, giving life to unique pieces. This center of watchmaking innovation is evidenced by over one hundred patents registered for original designs, such as the arrow-shaped three-bridge movement registered in 1884, as well as prestigious awards, including the Aiguille d'Or in 2013, and historic accolades, such as the Gold Medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1889.

With a heritage that is deeply rooted in the past, Girard-Perregaux always looks forward, embracing new technologies, using cutting-edge materials and always finding innovative ways to bring joy through the reimagining of iconic shapes.

For this reason, Girard-Perregaux has remained a Manufacture on a human scale, and in 2022 it became part of an independent collective of Haute Horlogerie Manufactures , alongside its sister company Maison Ulysse Nardin , further consolidating its visionary legacy.

The Graduate since 1975: the inauguration of an icon

When Girard-Perregaux’s Laureato debuted in 1975, much of the traditional Swiss watchmaking industry was in decline, unprepared for the quartz crisis and the shift to battery-powered timepieces. As an independent manufacture, Girard-Perregaux was able to react quickly, introducing an in-house integrated design, powered by a COSC-certified quartz movement , which allowed it to remain competitive with foreign rivals. For this reason, the inaugural steel watch was called the “ Quartz Chronometer .”

However, Italy being the most important market for Girard-Perregaux, the timepiece was quickly nicknamed “ il Laureato ” (or “Laureato” in Italian) by connoisseurs, a tribute to the model’s success and extraordinary precision. This nickname was eventually officially adopted by the Manufacture. Perhaps not coincidentally, the Laureato’s octagonal bezel recalls a laurel wreath, a symbol of academic merit.

The steel case, together with the integrated bracelet, guarantees unparalleled wearing comfort, while its unique design makes it immediately recognizable.

The Graduate Generations: A Timepiece in Constant Evolution

In 1984, Girard-Perregaux introduced the second generation of the Laureato with the launch of the 'Equations', introducing calendar complications for the first time on Laureato models . The double moon phase pushed the limits of quartz-based complications by displaying the moon in both the northern and southern hemispheres.

The third generation , launched in 1995, marked a return to Girard-Perregaux's mechanical roots with an ultra-thin automatic calibre of its own production, while retaining the iconic Laureato shape.

With the latest evolution in 2017, the Laureato is available in both mechanical and quartz versions: the 34 mm model is equipped with a quartz movement , while the 38, 42 and 44 mm models are equipped with in-house mechanical movements.

The fourth generation of the Laureato , the “EV03,” released in 2003, began to reveal a sportier side of the Laureato, but it was with the launch of the Laureato Absolute line in 2019 that the collection embraced a decidedly more contemporary style.

Thanks to innovations such as the integrated rubber strap , the Laureato Absolute continues to explore inventive solutions, using technological and eye-catching materials for its components.

The Graduate : Different Forms, One Essence

Over the years, the Laureato's design has evolved steadily, while always retaining the essence of the 1975 original . From the beginning, its style has combined different shapes to create a distinctive yet cohesive look.

Each Laureato is composed of an octagonal bezel set atop a circular ring, which in turn rests on an angular tonneau-shaped case. Despite its clean, geometric lines, the Laureato case conveys a sense of softness, similar to a rock smoothed by nature, devoid of sharp edges.

The entire composition is characterised by an exquisite play of shiny and satin surfaces , which, well separated from each other, enhance the aesthetic effect.

The exterior is completed by an integrated bracelet that ergonomically embraces the wearer's wrist, ensuring a comfortable fit. This assembly of contrasting shapes has created the Laureato's unique profile, making it instantly recognizable from afar.

Laureato models, from Classic to Avant-garde

Elegant lines, comfort and harmony between the integrated bracelet and case: the Laureato continues to embody the perfect union between aesthetics and functionality, as only Girard-Perregaux knows how. The steel bracelet integrates perfectly with the case and, like the latter, displays splendid polished and satin finishes.

In its classic version , inspired by the original 1975 model, the Laureato enhances its charm with the Clous de Paris motif on the dial, creating refined plays of light, and with excellent materials: steel, ultra-light high-tech titanium, the warm elegance of rose gold and the sparkle of brilliant-cut diamonds.

In the skeletonized models, the octagon offers a glimpse of the intricate architecture of the essential movement, hand-finished, as always, by masters of precision engineering.

In its most futuristic version, the Laureato Absolute , the Girard-Perregaux icon abandons the classic Clous de Paris motif for a multi-level dial with a sandwich structure. This line represents a laboratory of innovation, with the introduction of revolutionary materials such as metallized sapphire crystal, carbon and titanium.

The flagship model of this innovative version of the classic Laureato, the Laureato Absolute Light & Shade , embodies the essence of the Girard-Perregaux Manufacture and its ability to design movement and case together. The case made of metallized sapphire crystal not only gives the watch transparency and lightness, but also houses a movement whose plate has been specially designed to visually "float" inside the case itself.

Suitable for all, the Laureato is the quintessence of Girard-Perregaux.