To celebrate the first 50 years of the Laureato, Girard-Perregaux presents the new Laureato Fifty, offered in a limited edition of only 200 pieces.
Girard-Perregaux celebrates half a century of history of one of its most iconic collections with the launch of the Laureato Fifty, a three-ball model produced in a limited edition of 200 pieces which represents the perfect evolution of one of the most important sporty-chic watches ever created. Launched in 1975, the Laureato helped redefine the canons of luxury watchmaking, and this contemporary reinterpretation honours the past by looking to the future.
The successful first Laureato, launched in 1975, was the result of the company's accumulated experience in the field of quartz technology. In 1966, Girard-Perregaux had inaugurated an R&D department dedicated to exploring this new technology, culminating in 1971 with the launch of the GP350 calibre, which established the frequency of 32,768 Hz as the universal industry standard. In 1977, the Manufacture held the impressive 83% of quartz technology patents registered with the Cosc.
The new Laureato FIFTY employs a 39 mm diameter case for a thickness of only 9.8 mm, combining steel and 3N yellow gold (used for the octagonal bezel, crown and central links of the bracelet) in a tribute to the first two-tone model from 1975. The tonneau shape of the case has been redesigned with sharper angles and more pronounced bevels, while the aforementioned octagonal bezel alternates between satin and polished finishes, creating a beautiful play on reflections.
The grey guilloché engraved dial with clous de Paris motif and soleil reflections It catches the light in a fascinating way, and is enhanced by 3N gold markers and hands. A distinctive detail is the seconds hand, which is balanced by a counterweight in the shape of a double arrow that recalls the Girard-Perregaux logo. The date window at 3 o'clock perfectly complements the tone of the dial, while the flat sapphire crystals protecting the dial and back contribute to the overall elegance of the design. Rather elevated, for a watch with an elegant look, is the water resistance figure, guaranteed up to 150 metresThis feature considerably extends the everyday versatility of the timepiece.
Girard-Perregaux Laureato Fifty: integrated bracelet
One of the most distinctive elements of the Laureato Fifty is the integrated steel and yellow gold bracelet, which faithfully reproduces the original 1975 design.
The steel links, now slightly shorter, get progressively thinner towards the buckle to perfectly fit the curvature of the wrist. The yellow gold central links have a more pronounced camber than the steel ones, creating an elegant play of volumes and luminous reflections. The customised triple folding clasp has octagonal pushers that echo the shape of the bezel. A particularly welcome innovation, then, is the microregulation system, which allows the bracelet to be adjusted by 4 mm, a valuable functional detail on hot days.
In addition, The new Laureato Fifty is driven by the new IWC-manufactured GP4800 calibre, visible through the sapphire glass back. This automatic mechanical movement represents a milestone for Girard-Perregaux: is in fact the first 'simple' calibre (hours, minutes, seconds, date) whose architecture draws inspiration from the legendary Tourbillon with Three Bridgeshistorical emblem of the Maison. With a diameter of 25.60 mm and a thickness of only 4.28 mmthe GP4800 calibre incorporates state-of-the-art technologies such as the silicon escapement and the variable-inertia balance, guaranteeing precision and reliability over time. A frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and a minimum power reserve of 55 hours ensure optimum performance, while the ten different finishes testify to the attention to detail inherent to Haute Horlogerie. Also noteworthy is the presence of the 3N yellow gold skeleton rotor.
Since 1791, Girard-Perregaux has therefore embodied the essence of integrated watchmaking, producing designs and movements in-house. With over 230 years of history, 30 movements in its portfolio and 80 patents, the Maison has pioneered numerous innovations: from the 1867 three-bridge Tourbillon to the 1965 high-frequency movement, from the first universal Swiss quartz to the Constant Escapement, awarded the Aiguille d'Or at the GPHG in 2013.
In conclusion, the new Laureato Fifty, produced in a limited edition of 200 pieces and available from October 2025, is not simply a celebratory watch, but a true manifesto of the Girard-Perregaux philosophy: the ability to combine past and future, tradition and innovation, discretion and boldness.
Price28,500 euro.
