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Back in 2019, Girard-Perregaux introduced the Laureato Absolute, which took the core design of the brand’s original Laureato watch from 1975 and gave it a thoroughly modern and sporty update. While the Laureato offers a more classic steel sports watch experience, the Laureato Absolute series brings a more robust, futuristic interpretation, and as such has been used to showcase a number of different modern and hi-tech case materials. For Geneva Watch Days 2023, Girard-Perregaux has created another version of its fan-favorite sports watch, and the new Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph 8Tech takes the fundamental design of the existing models and gives it a new case that is made from an incredible carbon and titanium composite material that brings a darker edge to the collection.

While the core design of the Laureato Absolute Chronograph has served as the foundation for a number of different variations over the years, including even a limited-edition version dedicated to the Aston Martin F1 racing team, the new Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph 8Tech (ref. 81060-41-3222-1CX) is most closely related to the Crystal Rock edition from 2020 in terms of its overall aesthetics. However, rather than having a case made from carbon and fiberglass, the new 2023 8Tech version has a case that is constructed from a layered carbon/titanium composite material.

To create the case of the new Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph 8Tech, carbon fibers are combined with titanium powder to form extremely fine layers that measure just 0.05mm thick. The layers are then stacked on top of each other at different angles and machined in small octagonal shapes that are then compressed under heat and pressure to form a solid mass. The carbon/titanium composite material is then machined into the various case components before being finished by hand to give them their refined shape and final appearance.

In addition to the complex construction, the case material provides the new Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph 8Tech with a more dynamic appearance compared to traditional forged carbon. The embedded titanium gives the case components a slightly shimmering effect that is scattered among its otherwise black and gray hues, and the natural asymmetric pattern that appears after the components are machined almost has the appearance of Damascus steel.

The form of the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph 8Tech continues the sporty elegance of its siblings, with its carbon/titanium composite case measuring 44mm in diameter by 15.15mm thick. The Laureato collection’s signature eight-sided bezel sits on top of the case, while sapphire crystals are fitted to both the dial side of the watch and its screw-on display caseback. Setting and winding are handled by a signed crown flanked by two pushers on the 3 o’clock side of the case, while water resistance for the new model comes in at 100m.

The dial fitted to the new Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph 8Tech also offers a familiar trio of registers in a 3-6-9 formation, along with a date window at 4:30. Similar to the Crystal Rock Edition from 2020, the dial fitted to the new 8Tech model features a sandwich-style construction that creates a dynamic depth with its luminous titanium base layer visible through the cut-out hour markers. The upper layer of the dial receives a matte sand-blasted surface, along with a dark gray gradient effect that darkens towards its outer edge. Meanwhile, the recessed chronograph registers are given a sand-blasted silver finish to give the dial an overall colorway that compliments the same hues that are found throughout the carbon/titanium case of the watch.

Powering the new Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph 8Tech is the Caliber GP03300-1058 automatic movement, which can also be found inside previous iterations of the model, including both the Aston Martin and the Crystal Rock editions. Running at a frequency of 28,800vph (4 Hz) with a power reserve of approximately 46 hours, the 63-jewel Cal. GP03300-1058 is a relatively proven design, and unlike the Crystal Rock model from 2020 that had a solid caseback, the movement inside the new Laureato Absolute Chronograph 8Tech sits on display through the sapphire window on the reverse side of the case. The glass is tinted in a darker finish to better complement the watch’s edgier look.

Fitted to the integrated-style lugs of the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph 8Tech is a black rubber strap that has gray contrast stitching on its edges and a textile effect on its outer surface. The two opposite ends of the strap connect with a deployant-style clasp that is made from black PVD titanium. The clasp is signed with the brand’s “GP” logo and operates with a double push-button release, with micro-adjustments to add further fine-tuning to the standard strap holes.

Building upon the exceptional silhouette of the Laureato Absolute family with next-gen materials and a modern aesthetic, the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph 8Tech continues to demonstrate the brand’s ability to craft compelling contemporary timepieces that stand out from the rest of the pack. Unlike many of its predecessors, including both the Aston Martin and Crystal Rock editions, the new Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph 8Tech will be joining the catalog as a standard-production offering rather than a limited edition, making it the new flagship chronograph model in the brand’s current Laureato Absolute series. The Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph 8Tech is priced at $27,800 USD. For more information on the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph 8Tech, please visit the brand’s website. 

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