BY JOVAN K
Let us be real for a second: the Girard-Perregaux Laureato is probably the most overlooked underdog in the integrated-bracelet sports watch scene. It was unveiled back in 1975, just three years after Audemars Piguet introduced the Royal Oak in 1972, a year before Patek Philippe unveiled the Nautilus and IWC introduced the Ingenieur in 1976, and two years before Vacheron Constantin presented the 222 in 1977. To celebrate its 50th anniversary last year, GP presented the limited-edition Laureato Fifty with its new GP01800 in-house movement. People loved it so much that the brand is bringing that evolution into the permanent collection with four new models in both 39mm and a brand-new 36mm size.
The case is where the design truly shines, offering two distinct size options:
39mm x 10.2mm
36mm x 9.8mm
Both options feature the classic octagonal bezel sitting on top of a polished circular ring, creating that beautiful geometric look. The finishing shows a high contrast between the circular satin brushed surfaces on the bezel and the mirror polished bevels along the case edges. To secure the 150-meter water resistance rating, the watch uses a screw-down crown (which repeats the octagonal bezel design in its shape).
- The Blue Enamel (39mm): The standout version layers hand-fired Grand Feu enamel over the textured dial and removes the date window entirely to focus on pure symmetry. The enamel achieves a deep, glossy finish that will never fade.
- The Rose Gold-Toned (39mm & 36mm): Stamped directly onto an 18K solid rose gold dial plate, this model offers a warm, architectural aesthetic and includes a color-matched date window at 3 o’clock.
- The Silver-Toned (36mm): This interpretation features a crisp, mirror-finished silver dial. It is paired with a bezel set with 64 brilliant-cut diamonds totaling approximately 0.55 carats, allowing light and reflection to interact with subtle refinement. Like the gold-toned models, it retains a date window at the 3 o’clock position.
Protecting the dial is a flat sapphire crystal finished with an anti-reflective coating on both sides to maximize legibility. For the dial surface, the brand relies on a traditional hobnail pattern known as Clous de Paris. This texture catches the light brilliantly, creating deep shadows and bright highlights depending on how you angle your wrist. The baton-style hands and applied indices are crafted from solid 18K white gold on blue enamel, silver dials, while the gold-toned versions use 18K rose gold and are treated with blue-emitting SuperLuminova.
Turn the watch over, and you can see the automatic in-house GP4800 caliber through the sapphire display back. The finishing here features circular Geneva stripes, polished bevels on the bridges, and perlage on the mainplate. The balance bridge draws design directly from the famous Three Bridges heritage and is beautifully executed in 18K pink gold, as well as the skeletonized rotor, providing a stunning contrast to the movement’s extensive hand-finishing.
The movement runs at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), composed of 163 parts and 19 jewels, and delivers around 60 hours of power reserve. It is equipped with a silicon escapement for magnetic resistance alongside a robust variable-inertia balance.
The integrated stainless steel bracelet has been redesigned to taper more aggressively toward the clasp, making it wear much lighter on the wrist. The links feature polished center sections surrounded by brushed outer segments. For the first time, the butterfly clasp includes a micro-adjustment mechanism that lets you extend the fit by up to 4mm on the go.
39mm Blue Enamel Ref. 81008-11-3530-1CM: $24,500 USD
39mm 18k Rose Gold-toned Ref. 81008-11-3627-1CM: $23,100 USD
36mm 18k Rose Gold-toned Ref. 81006-11-3626-1CM: $23,100 USD
36mm Silver and Diamond Bezel Ref. 81006-11S3597-1CM: $24,200 USD
Explore more at Girard-Perregaux
