When a brand celebrates an anniversary after the 1st year, it’s usually on a year that’s divisible by fives. This is particularly true with watch brands, as many of them have been around for decades, if not over a century at this point. Girard-Perregaux traces their roots back to designs first created in 1791. So, with two centuries under their belt, they can do what they want. Such as celebrating 49 years of the Laureato with the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph Ti49.
A bit of history
Yes, we’ve given away some of the history in the opener, as well as what is right in the name of the watch. The Girard-Perregaux Laureato traces its roots back to 1975, though you wouldn’t find the Laureato name in the catalog that year. When the watch was introduced, it was called the Quartz Chronometer. Eventually, it came to be called ‘the graduate of the school of Girard-Perregaux’. If you know some Italian, you know that graduate translates to Laureato. Girard-Perregaux leaned into the nickname, and here we are now, almost five decades later.
There’s some even deeper history here that verges into the realm of trivia. As we pointed out, Girard-Perregaux traces their start back to 1791. Do you know when titanium was first discovered? If you said 1791, you, friend, win a no-prize. It’s an interesting bit of synchronicity, and a knowledge tidbit for the future owner.
Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph Ti49 – first time in titanium
When we wrote about a Laureato release last year, it was playing with materials as well. That one was a mix of carbon fiber and titanium. This year, it’s all titanium, all the time. Surprisingly, for a design that’s been around as long as it has, this is the first time the chronograph has been done in Grade 5 titanium.
Though titanium is tough, they’ve done up the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph Ti49 in alternating finishes that dress things up. While most of the flat surfaces are brushed, the circular ‘plinth’ that seperates the octagonal bezel from the tonneau case. The bevels on the case are polished as well, giving the watch some sparkle while the brushed surfaces keep things looking fresh, even when worn regularly.
Wrapping things up
It is not for nothing – as they say – that the Laureato design is recognizable and iconic. While last year’s release when in a very modern material direction, this year we have a material that is both modern and very, very vintage. You can check out the brand new Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph Ti49 – as well as the rest of the Laureato family – at girard-perregaux.com
Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph Ti49 Tech Specs
- Reference 81020-21-3263-1CM
- Suggested retail price: CHF 18’600 / USD 19’400 / GBP 16’500 / EUR 20’500
- Case
- Material: titanium, polished and satin finished
- Dimensions: 42.00 mm
- Height: 12.00 mm
- Glass: anti-reflective sapphire crystal
- Case-back: secured by 6 screws
- Dial: grey with a ‘Clous de Paris’ pattern, grey PVD-treated GP logo, ‘baton’-type grey PVD-treated indexes with luminescent material (white emission)
- Hands: ‘baton’ type grey PVD-treated hands with luminescent material (white emission)
- Water resistance: 100 meters (10 ATM)
- Movement
- Reference: GP03300-0141
- Self-winding mechanical movement
- Diameter: 25.95 mm (111/2’’’)
- Height: 6.50 mm
- Frequency: 28,800 Vib/h – (4 Hz)
- Number of components: 419
- Number of jewels: 63
- Power reserve: min. 46 hours
- Functions: Chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds, date
- Bracelet
- Material: titanium, polished and satin finished
