In celebration of its 230th anniversary, Girard-Perregaux plugs into the modern times by finally launching its e-commerce platform, increasing its accessibility while offering an updated experience for its customers. As its first online exclusive, the watchmaker also debuts the futuristic Laureato Absolute Wired, which which respects the legacy of the iconic 1975 Laureato while infusing the chronograph with today’s high-tech ingenuity.
“Despite turning 230 years old, Girard-Perregaux has no intetion of remaining stuck in the past. In fact, launching e-commerce is just one of the many moves Girard-Perregaux will make in 2021 that reflects our philosophy of constant improvement and striving to maintain a competitive edge,” commented Patrick Pruniaux, Chief Executive Officer at Girard-Perregaux. “While we will remain exclusive by way of limited launches and partnerships, catering to our clients in an ‘inclusive’ way is just as important. Indeed, e-commerce helps us do this by augmenting consumer convenience in today’s connected world. It only seems fitting that we offer an ultramodern version of the iconic Laureato to complement this important milestone.”
The new 44mm Laureato Absolute Wired comes housed in a Carbon Glass case, sporting a matte and slightly textured finish. The constituent layers of carbon fibre and fibreglass used in the manufacture of this case create uneven strata within the material which are randomly aligned, making every watch a unique piece. The bezel, also crafted from Carbon Glass, is given an electric blue touch to emphasise the marque’s signature octagonal shape. The use of Carbon Glass in the watch wasn’t just meant for strength and durability, but also its incredible lightness, allowing the Laureato Absolute Wired to weigh just 94 grams.
For the dial, a sandwich-type construction method was used in its creation, comprising of an upper layer, perforated with numerous openings atop a lower layer. The apertures in the upper layer offer partial sight of the lower layer.
The topmost layer is executed in matte black, while the lower layer is presented in black-or, which creates a subtle contrast while making some of the dial details – such as the baton-type indexes – appear recessed. Below the upper dial layer, the chronograph features three snailed registers, while a minute track is displayed on a flange encircling the dial which aids readability.
For optimum comfort, the watch is fitted with a black rubber strap featuring a fabric effect motif and black stitching. A specific type of rubber is used for the strap to deliver enhanced flexibility and strength compared to traditional rubber. The strap comes with a folding black titanium buckle equipped with a micro adjustment system to help the wearer fine tune the size for the best wrist fit.
The Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Wired is limited to only 88 pieces, and is sold exclusively on the new Girard-Perregaux e-commerce platform.
Photos: Girard-Perregaux
