Girard-Perregaux partners with Aston Martin F1 to release a new Laureato Absolute Chronograph in charming, very British inspired dial in British Racing Green and the innovative Absolute titanium carbon case.
Press release information with commentary in italics.
New: Girard-Perregaux Laureato AbsoluteChronograph Aston Martin F1 Edition
Retail price CHF 26,500 / GBP £21,500 / USD $27,800
Commentary
The Laureato Absolute Chronograph is a series which was launched in mid-2019 with a launch model in titanium case and a beautiful fumé style dial. The new Absolute line was a relaunch of the Laureato case, and made larger, hence the absolute moniker. Interestingly, though the case is 44mm in nominal diameter, it wears nicely on regular sized male wrists. The new lease of life gave the Laureato the spotlight it deserves.
And our admiration grew when we first set eyes on GP’s Laureato Absolute Rock Chronograph Carbon Glass in 2019. Here was an innovative material which not only looks good, but with the technical prowess to boot. Carbon Glass is a revolutionary new material in the world of high watchmaking. A worlwide first. True to its tradition of innovation combining aesthetics and functionality, the Carbon Glass is exceptionally regular with a homogeneous finish. The material is 100 times stiffer than steel, and is airtight without a container. Integrating pigmented glass fibres, here in blue, the material is vibrantly alive, seeming in motion, glowing from within.
This new Aston Martin F1 Racing model is the same watch, in yet another dial and case variation. The case ikeeps the same shape and size of the launch model, but instead of a PVD darkened titanium, a special titanium and carbon material is selected. not only is this material unique, it ties back to the F1 racing tean as it uses carbon which is extracted from two actual F1 cars used in the 2021 season. The look of the case is also interesting, as it has a unique pattern melange of grey and green. even the strap is a model of attention to detail, as uses a mixture of carbon and rubber from the same two F1 cars.
The dial has the signature Aston Martin cross hatch pattern, a motif found on the seats of their luxury cars, and executed in the traditional British, or rather Aston Martin Racing Green.
The movement is the same as the other models, and is the GP03300-1058, which from all reports of use in the field, is reliable and keeps excellent timing. The action of the start/stop/reset of the chronograph buttons have an excellent feel – light but with good positive feedback on engagement.
Release details
Last year, Girard- Perregaux was announced as the Official Watch Partner of the ultra-luxury British performance car manufacturer, Aston Martin and of the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula OneTM Team (AMF1). Since the organisations began working together, they have collaborated on two watches: the Tourbillon with Three Flying Bridges Aston Martin Edition and the Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Edition. Now, Girard-Perregaux has, for the first time, worked with the AMF1 Team, creating a new model, the Laureato Absolute Chronograph AM F1 Edition, featuring two industry firsts. This ground-breaking watch unites two worlds, namely, micro-mechanics and the extreme performance of Formula OneTM.
Pushing the performance envelope
In the competitive world of F1, a mere fraction of a second can mean the difference between success or failure. Besides aerodynamics and engine power, weight is of huge importance, hence teams continuously research new innovative materials that promise to provide precious weight savings. In this instance, the AMF1 Team has brought its incredible understanding of lightweight, materials to the world of Haute Horlogerie.
The new Laureato Absolute Chronograph AM F1 Edition features a cutting-edge 44mm case. Its composition blends titanium powder and carbon elements taken from two F1 race cars used during the 2021 season, representing a first in the watch industry. Using a high-tech manufacturing process, the individual components are brought together and mixed with a tinted resin. The resultant material proffers superior ductility to that of steel. Each watch will have its own visual identity and will look uniquely different from any other timepiece on the market.
“From the outset, working with Aston Martin has been a joy. It has not just been a case of putting our name on a Formula OneTM car. On the contrary, we have collaborated on various projects, resulting in the production of two very different watches. Working together has led to some innovative and interesting ideas, culminating in the creation of new exciting products. It has also led to some wonderful friendships forming between both companies’ personnel. With our previous collaborative models, the emphasis was on style and elegance. However, with this latest watch we sought to work closely with the F1 side of the brand, focusing more on the idea of performance.”
Patrick Pruniaux, Girard-Perregaux’s Chief Executive Officer
“As a team, we have the determination to succeed – and that ambition requires us to analyse every element of our performance package. That includes managing the materials we use to build our cars, measuring their weight, their strength, all in a bid to find that critical extra thousandth of a second in lap-time. Girard-Perregaux is a valued partner to our organisation, and we have worked together to share and combine our knowledge to improve each other’s brands. The new Laureato Absolute Chronograph AMF1 is the first example of this collaboration, and a stunning example of the work we can achieve together.”
Mike Krack, Team Principal of Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula OneTM Team
Two world premieres, one extraordinary watch
The Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph AM F1 Edition is housed in a 44mm highly innovative titanium and carbon case, an industry first. However, the Manufacture’s inventiveness also extends to this model’s strap, a further ‘world premiere’. The GP Rubber Alloy, presented in Aston Martin Racing Green, is made of FKM rubber (FKM) and carbon elements taken from two Formula OneTM race cars used during the 2021 season. The process for creating this pioneering composition is highly technical and requires specialised equipment. Moreover, making such a technical strap necessitates extensive research into the compatibility of the materials used. The resultant strap proffers superior suppleness and resistance when contrasted with conventional rubber. In this instance, its appearance is enriched with a fabric-effect façade. The buckle, with its micro adjustment system, allows the wearer to fine-tune the union between the strap and their wrist.
Aston Martin has always been a byword for style and performance
Having been born on a racetrack 109 years ago, Aston Martin has always enjoyed a proud association with racing.
Over the years, it has participated in various forms of international competition, enjoying much success. However, while performance is a critical part of the marque’s DNA, Aston Martin is acknowledged as an iconic global brand synonymous with style, luxury, and exclusivity.
Aston Martin fuses the latest technology, time honoured craftsmanship and beautiful styling to produce a range of critically acclaimed luxury models including the Vantage, DB11, DBS and DBX and its first hypercar, the Aston Martin Valkyrie.
This is celebrated with the new Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph AMF1 Edition which incorporates several design influences from the prestigious ultra-luxury British marque’s products.
The dial on the watch is presented in sunray ‘Aston Martin Racing Green’ and is adorned with cross- hatching, a motif that can be traced back to the Aston Martin ‘AM’ badge of 1921.
Many sports cars feature hollowed-out components that provide structural rigidity while at the same time mitigating mass. Moreover, the openings seen on several Aston Martin cars facilitate cooling. This new watch features open-worked hands throughout to imbue the design with a note of sportiness. A splash of lime is used to identify the chronograph hands to echo the design of the AMF1 car. The counterweight on the central chronograph hand emulates the side strakes widely used on numerous Aston Martin road cars. While the automotive influences are clear to see, some details are very subtle and may only be spotted by devotees of Aston Martin and those in the know.
Rear-engine power
Despite the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph AM F1 Edition being highly attractive, a reliable powerplant is also a prerequisite for success. For the first time on a Laureato Absolute Chronograph, the rear of the watch is fitted with a pane of sapphire crystal. Now, the wearer can view the automatic Manufacture movement, the Calibre GP03300-1058.
A limited-edition
The Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula OneTM Team is based in Silverstone, England, close to the iconic racetrack. With this in mind, the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph AM F1 Edition is limited to 306 pieces, the total distance drivers Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel will aim to cover on race day (5.891km x 52 laps) at the 2022 British Grand Prix. The model is immediately available worldwide in all authorised Girard-Perregaux retailers.
GP LAUREATO ABSOLUTE CHRONOGRAPH ASTON MARTIN F1 EDITION Technical specification
Reference: 81060-41-3071-1CX
Limited edition of 306 pieces, not numbered
Case
Material: titanium & carbon case with carbon extracted from two Formula OneTM race cars used during the 2021 season
Diameter: 44.00 mm
Height: 15.15 mm
Glass: sapphire anti-reflective
Case-back: sapphire crystal with white Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula OneTM Team decal
Dial: sunray ‘Aston Martin Racing Green’ with cross-hatching, indexes with luminescent material (green emission)
Hands: skeletonised, ‘baton’ type with luminescent material (green emission) Water resistance: 100 metres (10 ATM)
Movement
Reference: GP03300-1058
Self-winding mechanical movement
Diameter: 25.95 mm
Height: 6.50 mm
Frequency: 28,800 Vib/h – (4Hz)
Number of components: 419
Number of jewels: 63
Power reserve: min 46 hours
Functions: Chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds, date
Strap
GP Rubber Alloy in Aston Martin Racing Green – a mix of rubber and carbon extracted from two Formula OneTM race cars used during the 2021 season, fabric effect and green stitches
Buckle
Folding with micro adjustment system, titanium with black PVD treatment
3 Comments
The inescapable fact of having been launched 3 years after the AP Royal Oak is the spearhead of those who see the Laureate as some kind of homage to the Audemars Royal Oak. And that seems to me to be a ballast that this good watch will never be able to get rid of. In the case of this limited edition, made with high-tech materials, for subjective reasons of taste, I don’t see it as attractive enough, but it does seem good to me, in the sense that this search for mixtures of components advances the technological race towards more promising futures. The GP Laureato and its characteristic octagonal bezel paved the way for many to later decide to take advantage of the vein found by Audemars in the Royal Oak. The latest addition, the (for me, disastrous) best-selling Casio GA2100 known as “El CasiOAK”. For those of us who have spent enough years looking at, manipulating and (perhaps) opening watches, it becomes very evident to us that truly original designs, in the watch industry, are something that happens very rarely. Singularities in an ocean of iterations and reinterpretations of past designs. That is why they attract the attention of experts and enthusiasts alike when they come to the fore.
HUBLOT did it already a coupe of years ago with Ferrari. Who did it first?
I have a GP Ferrari Chronograph from 25 years ago.