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 François Perregaux, the brother-in-law of Constant Girard, one of the Maison’s founders, lived and work ed with in the region. China has always been a dynamic market and of huge significance to the Maison. A few months ago, the brand release d 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 subject ed 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 fulc rum of the dial. A lithe central sweep seconds hand glides over the minute track, present ed 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 is comprised of 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.
