2021 marks the 230th anniversary of Girard-Perregaux, and while the brand has an extensive history its focus is firmly on the future of the watch industry. To this end, the historic marque has launched its first ever e-commerce platform, and to celebrate this debut the brand has created a special limited edition variant of the modernist Laureato Absolute sports watch. The new limited edition Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Wired takes a futuristic, exotic material approach to one of the brand’s hallmark designs, providing a stunning kickoff to its new online sales platform.
The aggressive lines of the integrated 44mm case follow the classic Laureato formula, but the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Wired interprets this shape in unique carbon glass. Formed by joining alternating layers of carbon fiber and fiberglass together under immense heat and pressure, the resulting material is lightweight, extremely strong, and takes on a unique striated appearance. The main body of the case uses a matte black mixture, while the Laureato’s signature octagonal bezel suffuses this material with an injection of vibrant electric blue. The chaotic pattern of color seeping through the black surfaces is extremely striking in images, calling to mind a vein of ore in stone, and immediately sets this new iteration apart from its stablemates. The rectangular black PVD titanium pushers echo this color scheme, with a subtle blue stripe around their edges. Girard-Perregaux uses matte black carbon glass for the caseback as well, engraved with the Laureato Absolute emblem. Although this unorthodox material offers benefits in lightness, water resistance is certainly not improved as the Laureato Absolute Wired musters only a 50 meter depth rating.
The dial of the limited edition Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Wired follows the standard Laureato Absolute template, with distinctive sandwich dial style layered subdials and indices. The overall look is matte and clean, with a touch of visual dynamism offered by the azurage finishing on the chronograph subdials. The pointed paddle handset delivers just enough personality through finishing and chamfers to set it apart from competitors, while the 4:30 date window will likely remain a point of contention among enthusiasts.
Girard-Perregaux powers the Laureato Absolute Wired with its in-house GP03300-1058 automatic chronograph movement. Performance for this movement is solid if unspectacular, with a 46 hour power reserve at a 28,800 bph beat rate. The brand completes the package with an integrated fabric effect rubber strap in black, flowing directly into the bevels of the case sides and offering subtle contrast stitching in deep gray.
While it carries an extensive 230-year history, the Laureato Absolute Wired stands as evidence that Girard-Perregaux is willing to move with the times and influence the future of the watch marketplace. Only 88 examples of the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Wired will be made. In order to support the launch of the brand’s e-commerce platform, until February 19, 2021 the watch will be available exclusively on the platform, before becoming available through authorized dealers. MSRP for the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Wired stands at $17,700. For more information, please visit the brand’s website.