Among historical watch manufacturers, which include Girard-Perregaux, the Laureato targets a broader audience when compared to iconic siblings from Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Vacheron Constantin. Also, Patek Philippe left the arena by discontinuing the reference 5711.
The latest-gen Girard-Perregaux Laureato is an option for an Overseas or Royal Oak. The brand also revealed a 38 mm model to widen the offering. By the end of last year, the brand broadened the sub-collection by adding Sage Green and Midnight Blue variants, as seen on the standard 42 mm diameter collection.
The Girard-Perregaux Laureato 38 Sage Green and Midnight Blue
If you asked me which is my favourite Laureato, I wouldn’t hesitate to tell you that 42 mm is perfect for my 19.5 cm wrist. And I’ll go all in with an Aiiro JAPAN Limited edition. “Oversizing” is not an issue; at 10.68mm in thickness and with a matching integrated bracelet, the Laureato prides itself on being a super comfortable sports watch.
The 38 mm model aims to widen Laureato’s audience. Its smaller size reassures anyone who believes 42mm is too much and was told that 40mm is the threshold for any luxury sports watch.
However, it is not breaking news. Two new references, unveiled last November, reaffirm Girard-Perregaux’s will to further extend the sub-collection, on par with the older and bigger brother. We believe the “Midnight Blue” reference with the signature “Clous de Paris” pattern is an alternative to an IWC Ingenieur housing the same dial. Still, it comes with a more refined yet less performing mechanical movement.
The applied rhodium-plated indexes contrast similarly to those on the Genta-designed timepiece. The Sage Green option is more distinctive, contrasted by the golden GP logo and central seconds hand.
Girard-Perregaux calibre GP03300
At the heart of a 38 mm Laureato is an authentic in-house movement, the GP03300 calibre, which adds to the attractive price-to-quality ratio in the premium luxury category. While performing at 4 Hertz in frequency and 46 hours of maximum power reserve, the movement stands out in craftsmanship and decoration, visible through the case back.
An extended rose gold oscillating mass showcases circular Côtes de Genève and bridges with linear Côtes de Genève instead, with bevelled edges.
Final thoughts
Until Girard-Perregaux unveils a new (and expectedly more expensive) Laureato since 2025 marks its 50th Anniversary, the current 38mm range is an excellent haute horlogerie sports watch. And it is among the most competitive at just under 15,000 euros.
The overall finish is high-end, especially the in-house calibre, and the case design is recognizable. We’d pick the sage green option. It is less mainstream than Midnight Blue but in line with an outsider role often (and unfairly) associated with such a collection and a respected brand like Girard-Perregaux compared to the brands belonging to the “Holy Trinity.”
(Photo credit: Girard-Perregaux)
Giovanni Maria Di Biase @Horbiter®
In this article:
Power Reserve
A mechanical watch feature displays, on the dial or the case back, the remaining power in a watch movement, showing the length of time until the timepiece must be rewound.
Frequency
It is the number of oscillations of the regulating organ. It is divided into hours, mechanical watches, and quartz watches.
Case back
It can be screwed in, pressure-fastened, or secured to the case via screws. Occasionally, it comes as a single piece, with the case of specific professional diving watches (for example,…
Case
It encases the mechanical movement and is crafted in one or more parts. It can also be a single piece, as with some professional diving watches, or made of unconventional…
Calibre
A calibre is the type of watch movement encased in an assigned timepiece. Its name is usually associated with the manufacturer's name and a standard code, e.g., ETA 2824.
Line
It is the measurement unit that identifies the size of a movement. According to this measurement system, one line corresponds to 2,255mm.
