BY JOVAN KRSTEVSKI
Last year during SIHH, Girard-Perregaux released a bold, sporty and modern expression of the Laureato in the form of the Laureato Absolute watches. For 2020, the brand is adding a new member to the Absolute family. Featuring a black and red face, the Laureato Absolute Passion gives the absolute chronograph a racing-inspired flavor.
Red is a color that’s long been associated with the world of motorsports and the face of the new Absolute passion makes generous use of it to showcase its automotive influence. The base dial has been presented in Matt black which is contrasted well by the red highlights that can be seen on the chronograph hand, the hour markers and the sub-registers. The layout remains similar to the 2019 release and features a sandwich-style construction, a sloped printed minute/second chapter ring, sunken sub-registers at 3,6 and 9 and a date window between 4 and 5. Overall the dial is clean and highly legible.
The PVD coated case on the Absolute passion measures 44mm in diameter and is constructed from titanium to offer better wrist comfort. It also carries over the angular geometry of last year’s Absolute chronograph and features the signature octagonal bezel on top. The motorsports influence can once again be seen on the chronograph pushers that offer some nice red touches. And just like before the case offers a healthy water-resistance of 300 meters.
Driving this new watch is Girard-Perragaux’s in-house calibre GP03300-1058. This is an automatic chronograph movement that comprises 419 components, operates at a frequency of 4Hz and offers a respectable power reserve of around 46 hours. The movement has been beautifully decorated using Geneva stripes, circular graining, and beveling, and can be admired through the exhibition case back.
The new Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Passion is a watch that adds some nice variety to the Absolute collection. But in case you want to get your hands on one, you need to act fast as only 50 of these would ever be made. The watch comes attached to a sporty rubber strap with a red fabric effect and would retail for USD 13,400.
Visit Girard-Perregaux here.
