Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Infrared

Girard-Perregaux is releasing a new timepiece, endowed with a forged carbon dial, created exclusively for the Chinese market. The advent of this model, the Laureato Absolute Infrared, marks an interesting time for the Manufacture. Indeed, this year, coinciding with Girard-Perregaux’s 230-year anniversary, will see the opening of a new boutique in China, a first for the brand. Consistent with other Absolute models, the new Laureato Absolute Infrared features contemporary materials. In this instance, the 44mm case is formed of Grade 5 titanium dressed with a PVD treatment and paired with a distinctive forged carbon dial with prominent red accents. Lastly, despite its avant-garde appearance, the watch is fitted with a Manufacture movement, drawing on the brand’s vast watchmaking expertise.

Girard-Perregaux has a long history of supplying the Asian market, dating back over 160 years when Francois Perregaux, the brother-in-law of Constant Girard, one of the Maison's founders, lived and worked within the region. China has always been a dynamic market and of huge significance to the Maison. A few months ago, the brand released the Quasar Infrared made exclusively for the Chinese market. Now, it returns with a new model, the Laureato Absolute Infrared, again produced exclusively for mainland China. Later this year, Girard-Perregaux will open a boutique in China, a first for the company and a further demonstration of its commitment to this important region.

The Laureato Absolute Infrared is housed in a 44mm, Grade 5 titanium case suffused with PVD. Titanium was selected for the case as it is lightweight, augmenting wearer comfort, while the PVD treatment endows the model with a sublime stealthy appearance. Despite its modernity, the case also showcases matchless traditional craftsmanship with polished and satin finishes skilfully applied throughout. The model has an octagonal bezel, a design feature first seen on the legendary Laureato of 1975 and a characteristic that continues to proffer much eye-appeal.

The dial of this latest creation is made from forged carbon, an ultra-modern material that is produced using a time-consuming process. Everything starts with carbon fibre thread, cut into lengths, precisely weighed and placed in a mould. Liquid resin is added to the strands of carbon fibre and thereafter subjected to heat and pressure. The resultant material is then milled to the desired shape and thickness to form a strong and light dial. Owing to the random alignment of the carbon fibre strands, each dial has its own unique appearance.

Baton-style hour and minutes hands, enlivened with red tips, collaborate with bold red indexes to enunciate the prevailing time. Unlike other Laureato Absolute models, the new Infrared version eschews a sandwich dial construction, presenting the technical forged carbon epidermis as a captivating canvas of randomly aligned patterns. The indexes are not affixed to the dial in a conventional way, but emanate from the flange, angled downwards towards the fulcrum of the dial. A lithe central sweep seconds hand glides over the minute track, presented on the flange, and the date is shown at 6 o'clock. Similar to a painting by an Old Master, the dial of the Laureato Absolute Infrared is endowed with becoming textures and depths.

At the heart of the Laureato Absolute Infrared is a Manufacture movement, the self-winding Calibre GP0330-1060. It comprises 218 components, all produced to Girard-Perregaux's exacting standards.

The watch is presented on a black rubber strap which incorporates red stitching. The strap is integrated into the case delivering an impressive ergonomic relationship with the wearer's wrist. A folding buckle with a micro adjustment system provides the owner with the means to fine tune the strap size, delivering the optimum fit. The buckle, like the case, is formed of titanium with PVD treatment, contributing to the model's harmonious aesthetic.

The Laureato Absolute Infrared, limited to 88 pieces, is available in Girard-Perregaux official retailers across Greater China from June 2021.

Technical specifications:

Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Infrared

Reference: 81070-21-631-FF6A

Limited edition of 88 pieces and available only in Greater China from June 2021

Case

• Material: Grade 5 titanium with PVD treatment
• Diameter: 44.00 mm
• Thickness: 14.65 mm
• Glass: Sapphire anti-reflective
• Case-back: Secured by 6 screws, engraved Laureato Absolute logo
• Water-resistant to 300 meters

Dial and hands

• Dial: Forged carbon, applied ‘baton’ type indexes with PVD treatment and luminescent material, applied rhodium-plated GP logo
• Hands: ‘Baton’ type with PVD treatment and luminescent material

Movement

• Calibre: GPO3300-1060
• Self-winding mechanical movement
• Diameter: 25.95 mm (11¢'")
• Height: 3.36 mm
• Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
• Number of parts: 218 components
• Number of jewels: 27
• Power reserve of min. 46 hours

Functions

• Hours, minutes, central second, date

Strap and buckle

• Black rubber strap with a fabric effect, red stitching
• Buckle: folding with micro-adjustment system, titanium with PVD treatment

MSRP

• CHF 10'680
• RMB 79'330

For more information, please visit girarg-perregaux.com