FEATURING: GIRARD - PERREGAUX - The Laureato Ghost
5 min read
Post Halloween - No tricks, just a treat
“This one ghost you don’t need to fear,” says Patrick Pruniaux, Girard-Perregaux’s Chief Executive Officer. It’s not a comment on any paranormal activity but his take on the iconic Laureato, that the Maison partnered with Bamford Watch Department; to produce a 45-piece limited edition.
The reason why the Laureato is embracing an ultra-modern and contemporary colour-way, is because the Girard-Perregaux is celebrating the model’s the 45th anniversary. The Manufacture has played with horological shapes for years, for instance when it released the Laureato’s ancestor, the Deep Diver, in the 1960s. This model transcended the utilitarian remit of a divers’ watch and stylishly employed different shapes, most notably with its tetradecagonal bezel. "The Laureato is an important pillar of our brand”, says Pruniaux. “At the time it was launched, it was very avant-garde, not only because of its innovative design aesthetic but also because it was one of the first timepieces to include a fully integrated bracelet. In this first true collaboration between Girard-Perregaux and Bamford Watch Department, we have come together and created something forward-looking and neoteric, a model ideally suited for today and beyond. The Laureato Ghost respects the spirit of the Laureato but looks new, fresh and original”.
Like all Girard-Perregaux timepieces, a Manufacture movement lies at the heart of the Laureato Ghost: the self- winding Calibre GP03300-0139. The movement is housed in a 38mm technical white ceramic case, this premium material is lighter than titanium, scratch resistant, stain resistant and hypoallergenic. Furthermore, this particular grade of ceramic has been specially selected for its perfectly vitrified surface and its uniform, lustrous appearance, allowing for finishes characteristic of classic steel and gold Laureatos. Indeed, the case and bracelet feature alternating satin and polished surfaces contributing to the timepiece’s sumptuous look and feel. Not only is the outer aesthetic avant-garde, the manufacture self-winding calibre incorporates a multitude of high-end finishes, including circular graining, Côtes de Genève motif, bevelling, engraving and snailing.
Achieving a stark contrast to the 38 mm technical white ceramic case, is brought about with the black accents of the PVD treated titanium crown and the GP logo and the dial flange, hour-markers and the hands. I guess; Mr. Bamford strikes one there, with his love for ‘black’. End result, a striking unisex watch.
It indeed is a bold move, a much welcome one by our perspective, for a traditional Swiss Maison like Girard Perregaux, to redux a classic with a bespoke customisation specialist like Bamford. Is this the onset of a trend, a new age collaboration to come about withing the industry? While we give that one a thought, we suggest you book your tickets if you are looking to acquire “The Ghost”. The model will be sold exclusively at Dover Street Market (www.shop.doverstreetmarket.com) and Harrods (www.harrods.com) for a limited period of one month from November 2020 or wait your turn to when the watch will be available worldwide through authorised Girard-Perregaux retailers.
Standard version on leather strap Reference: 81005-32-733-UB7A
UK Retail Price (tax incl): £10,300
Alternate version on ceramic bracelet Reference 81005-32-733-32A
UK Retail Price (tax incl): £12,000
