Renowned watch brand Girard-Perregaux has recently launched a limited edition of 200 pieces of a special watch to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its classic Laureato series, aptly named FIFTY Graduate. Since its introduction in 1975, the Laureato series has become a benchmark for elegant sports watches, while also solidifying the brand's historical significance, showcasing its respect for heritage and vision for the future.
The history of Girard-Perregaux dates back to 1791, and for a long time, the brand has adhered to its Manufacture model, integrating all production processes within its own factory. This design philosophy, rooted in the idea of a unified movement, emerged from the Industrial Revolution and has given rise to many significant milestones in both technology and design. The Laureato series was born against this backdrop; the brand began tackling quartz technology in the late 1960s, ultimately creating the GP350 movement, which raised industry standards and took luxury sports watches to new heights with its unique octagonal design.
Compared to other works of its time, the Laureato series places a stronger emphasis on precision, balance, and elegance, establishing itself as a touchstone for luxury watches since its debut in 1975. Notably, this timepiece was the only model designed entirely by an in-house team, and this accumulation of expertise and design has allowed the latest Laureato FIFTY to become a statement of the brand, perfectly blending heritage with innovation.
Today, the Laureato FIFTY reveals the ideal proportions of traditional aesthetics with a 39mm diameter and a thickness of 9.8mm. The watch case is expertly crafted from stainless steel and 3N gold, featuring a sleek barrel shape that pays homage to the first-generation two-tone model. The octagonal bezel, combined with a deep gray sunburst dial, highlights the brand's grasp of contemporary aesthetics. The dial's three-dimensional hour markers and sword-shaped hands are treated with 3N gold plating, making the overall visual impact even more striking. With a date display window and a water resistance of 150 meters, this watch is both practical and stylish for everyday wear.
When worn, the stainless steel and gold H bracelet takes inspiration from the original design of the Laureato, featuring shorter links that allow for fine half-link adjustments, complemented by a three-fold clasp and a tailored adjustment system. The transparent case back of the watch reveals the exquisite design of the brand-new GP4800 automatic movement, which boasts a silicon escapement, a variable inertia balance wheel, and meticulous finishing with ten different polishing techniques, along with a power reserve of 55 hours.
The Laureato FIFTY, priced at $28,320, will be available at the brand’s official outlets and authorized retailers.
