Though Girard-Perregaux is often seen as a brand of classic watches, it has recently chosen to inject some modernity and boldness into its collections by entering the highly competitive luxury sports watch market. Using its historic Laureato watches and integrated design as the foundation for this newly launched model line, it has been expanded with the Absolute sub-collection, featuring a more sporty and masculine octagonal case. Today, Girard-Perregaux launches a model intended for one of the world's most active markets, with the new Laureato Absolute Infrared watches available exclusively in Greater China.
Girard-Perregaux is no stranger to the Asian market. About 160 years ago, François Perregaux, the son-in-law of Constant Girard, one of the brand's founders, lived and worked in this region. China has long been a dynamic and important market for GP, especially nowadays as China is the number one place for luxury watches. Following the Quasar Infrared model developed specifically for mainland China a few months ago, the brand now offers another model designed for this region. Later this year, GP will also open its own boutique in China.
These new Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Infrared watches align with the design of the collection and, in particular, previous Absolute models, with a bolder and sportier approach to sports watches with an integrated case. Made from grade 5 titanium with matte and polished surfaces, the PVD coating gives it a fully black appearance. The octagonal bezel and tonneau-shaped case are still used in this sporty context, reminiscent of the 1975 Laureato watch. The Laureato Absolute Infrared is a fairly large watch at 44mm in diameter and 14.65mm in height, but it is also a robust watch with water resistance up to 300 meters. The use of lightweight titanium and a thoughtful case design will help make it comfortable.
The main feature of the Laureato Absolute Infrared for Greater China is the dial. Indeed, while maintaining the original design of the collection, it is now made of forged carbon - a material known for its random pattern, making each dial unique. Surrounded by an angular matte gray flange, it also comes with applied markers and hands coated with black PVD and red Super-LumiNova - a very fitting choice considering the market. The watch displays HMS and the date at the '6 o'clock' position.
Beneath the sturdy titanium case back hides the well-known manufacture caliber GP03300. This automatic movement operates at a frequency of 4 Hz and offers a 46-hour power reserve. Although hidden, it will be beautifully finished, as always with GP.
The Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Infrared is worn on an integrated black rubber strap with a fabric effect, red stitching, and a deployant clasp made of blackened titanium with micro-adjustment. The watch is limited to 88 pieces and will be available from June 2021 in GP's official stores in Greater China (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan). It will cost 79,330 yuan or 10,680 Swiss francs.
