INTRODUCING: Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph 8Tech

The ultra-modern Laureato Absolute receives another avant-garde update.

A Girard-Perregaux emblem since 1975, the Laureato is reportedly the world’s first watch with an integrated bracelet to bear an in-house design and movement. The watch earned renewed interest in 2019 when the Maison introduced the Laureato Absolute, a bold evolution of the iconic design with a sleeker, more sporty profile to appeal to modern watch collectors. While the main collection remains faithful to its classic luxury sports watch aesthetics, the Absolute spin-off has become an ideal platform for the brand to push the boundaries, especially in terms of case material innovation, from metallised sapphire crystal to carbon glass and rubber alloy. At the recent Geneva Watch Days, Girard-Perregaux released arguably the best-looking Laureato Absolute Chronograph thus far, in a carbon-titanium composite material.  

Those familiar with the Laureato Absolute would recognise it from afar; its distinctive form of an octagonal bezel atop a circular plinth resting upon an angular tonneau-shaped case is hard to miss. Now, it is even more eye-catching in the avant-garde material. Made using 8tech, a ground-breaking manufacturing technique, the case material is a unique combination of unidirectional, non-braided carbon fibres infused with lightweight titanium powder to form ultra-thin layers measuring a mere 0.05mm thick. These layers are then stacked with varying orientations and cut into octagonal shapes. Following this, they are arranged in a mould and subjected to high heat and extreme pressure. Subsequently, skilled craftsmen machine and refine the case components, including the bezel, from the resultant material by hand.

Looks-wise, the Laureato Absolute Chronograph 8Tech resembles most closely to its 2020 predecessor, the Crystal Rock, which combined carbon fibre with fibreglass. But while the latter’s case has a fleck-laden appearance, the 8Tech features shimmering wave-like patterns reminiscent of Damascus steel. Measuring 44mm, the watch asserts a commanding presence, but it is surprisingly easy on the wrist as the high-tech case material is five times lighter than steel yet has comparable strength and rigidity.

In contrast, the dial of the Laureato Absolute Chronograph 8Tech adopts a more sombre look despite its sandwich-type construction. The gradient grey upper layer with a sandblasted finish hosts three sub-dials and arrow-tipped indexes that are actually apertures revealing the underlying grade 5 titanium base that is similarly sandblasted. A date display resides between 4 and 5 o’clock, while legibility is ensured by prominent baton-shaped hands and markers with a white luminescent material. 

Powering the Laureato Absolute Chronograph 8Tech is the self-winding Calibre GP03300-1058 with a minimum power reserve of 46 hours. Comprising 419 components, the in-house movement has been meticulously finished, and its decorations, including Côtes de Genève and straight graining, can be admired via a smoked sapphire crystal caseback. The watch is paired with a sporty black rubber strap with a fabric effect and grey stitching. Its folding titanium buckle is incorporated with a micro-adjustment system that offers an optimal fit for the wearer. 

Priced at S$38,700, the Laureato Absolute Chronograph 8Tech is available at The Hour Glass, which represents Girard-Perregaux in the region.

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