Girard-Perregaux Laureato Tourbillon 3 Blue Spinel Bridges

amanico · 2012-06-17T23:29:58Z

Explore the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Tourbillon with 3 Blue Spinel Bridges (SIHH 2012). Discover its evolution, design, and collector insights.

amanico

WPS member · Girard Perregaux forum

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Amanico introduces the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Tourbillon with 3 Blue Spinel Bridges, a significant release from SIHH 2012. This post delves into the historical context of the Laureato line, tracing its evolution from 1975 to the present day. Readers will appreciate the detailed comparison of this new model with its predecessors, highlighting the subtle yet impactful design changes.

It is time for us to have a
look on another Bomb unveiled by GP this year, at the SIHH: The Laureato
Tourbillon with 3 bridges, in an original presentation.

Here, a Chronological
evolution of the Laureato, since 1975 till nowadays, perfectly summed in one
document provided by the Girard Perregaux Archives:

The Laureato Tourbilllon with
3 Bridges is not a new watch, though.

Indeed, it was first unveiled
in 1997 ( 15 years, already!!! ) :

- The Ref 99070, a 40 mm
stainless steel case, with a traditional look: Tourbillon, 3 Gold Bridges,
Losange Hands:

- The Ref 99 071, a 42 mmm
Titanium case, which came with the 3 sapphire bridges that give that so
particular look to the watch, which was revealed to the Public in 2007:

With this all new Laureato
tourbillon, we are going a step further...

Compared to the former
titanium version, the case is the same, in material, and shape, but the dial
has subtly evolved, enough, at least, to give the watch a fascinating
look.

To be precise, the case is 42,
60 mm big, and the height is 13, 01 mm.

Here, the diameter and the
height is not a problem, as the Laureato is looking like a concept watch,
blending tradition and modernity, sportsmanship and elegance in an amazing
way.

As for the Tradition, here is
a pocket watch, with its 3 straight
shaped bridges, circa 1860:

As for Modernity, the bezel
and the dial play an important role.

The bezel, like on the former
model, is made in platinum, and is still octogonal, giving to the watch such a
particular and very distinctive look.

Moreover, it brings some
complexity to the somehow classic round case... Character:

The dial is indeed the
spectacular part of the watch.

What immediately jump to the
eyes are these 3 spinel bridges, with the light blue accents, which are les
noticeable in the real than on the official pictures, though.

A close look to the
breathtaking dial and its 3 blue bridges:

For those who, like me,
wondered what could be spinel, here is the official answer:

Tradition? Have a look at
the close up of the dial, and admire the work in the finishings, which is the
expression of horological traditions at its best.

All the parts of the
movement, which is itself part of the dial, not to say THE dial, are
meticulously hand finished, from the delicate anglages to the circular grained
decoration, from the plate to the bridges ( yes, the three spinel bridges also
received some nice and clear anglages! ) and the mechanical parts of the
movement.

A circular grained decoration
you don't find on the former Laureato Tourbillon with three sapphire bridges, as
you can see here, on this shot provided by Girard Perregaux:

It is an impressive
asthetical outcome, blending Beauty, Art, and a touch of Mystery.

The Mystery Shot:

A photogenic watch, to say
the least!

Some additional live shots
reveal the extrem care dedicated to the finish of the watch.

Look at the crown which is
not the first thing you notice, on the Laureato Tourbillon... Do you see its
octogonal shaped top?

Who can complain about the
fact that the movement ( Cal 9600-0004 ) is automatic?

The micro rotor, made of
platinum, located just under 12 o' clock, is hardly noticeable, for those who
ignore its existence, and doesn't ruin the beauty of the dial, at the
contrary... It is part of the 3 gold Bridges D.N.A and beauty, even if some
manual movement co exist with the 3 gold bridges, to be precise.

A last view on a strong love
affair:

Conclusion:

Even for a non bracelet lover
like me, I must say that I would happily live with such an horological
monster.

In my book, GP Tourbillons
with gold bridges are the essence, the sublime expression of this horological
sophistication, and can also play in the champions league of the finest
watches.

Some small reserves,
though:

- Priced at 195 000 CHF
before the VAT, it may well remain in the Dream Watch Category, which is, after
all, not a bad thing!

- This is a limite edition of
10 pieces: For once I would have preferred a larger number of pieces made. Maybe
it would have an incidence on the final price, and certainly it would make the
hunt easier for the luckiest of us who can afford such a beauty.

- I could not take pictures
of the case back, as it would have required to remove the bracelet, and time was
missing, but I found that the movement, on the back side, was less appealing
than on the dial side.

Here again, this is not a
detail which would ruin my pleasure to own such a dream watch.

Looking forward to reading
your comments and thoughts,

Best.

Nicolas.

PS:
Aknowlegements and thanks to my contact at GP who provided me some interesting
historical informations and additional shots, here.

This message has been edited by amanico on 2012-06-17 23:37:04 This message has been edited by amanico on 2012-06-27 13:38:44

Key Points from the Discussion

The Laureato Tourbillon with 3 Blue Spinel Bridges is considered a dream watch, breaking psychological boundaries for collectors and standing out even among other esteemed brands.
The watch is described as a 'Star Trek watch' due to its futuristic aesthetic, despite its historical roots, with its dial praised for gorgeous light shades.
The Laureato Tourbillon with 3 bridges is a highly desired piece, with its unique design and technical prowess making it a pinnacle for any collection.
The watch's size is 42.60 mm, not 60 mm, and it fits well on a moderate wrist, though the weight of current Laureato steel bracelets is a concern.
The Laureato Tourbillon with 3 Blue Spinel Bridges is a pure marvel, praised for its design, finesse, incredible finish, and wearability, transcending preferences for automatic or manual movements.
The use of spinel for the bridges gives the watch a futuristic and modern aesthetic, blending GP's heritage with contemporary design.

The Discussion

VMM

Jun 18, 2012

LOVE it! One of my fav watches, I like to say that it would be a nice beater Hope you don't mind is I take your post as my birthday gift, ok? Un año mas viejo, un año mas sabio. Thanks for sharing, Nico. Un abrazo. Vte

moc

Jun 18, 2012

apart from the fact that I can t see how it can t be EVERYBODYs dream apart from people who dont like automatic.This Laureato goes beyond automatic or manual,it is what it is a pure marvel.....what else to ask from a refined watch:design,finesse,incredible finish and....wearability which is essential. A dream watch ,poetry.... Great shots Nico.....would love to see the back to understand what you mean. Mo

amanico

Jun 18, 2012

But I don't. Well, we have to be very picky to find something less entusiasming on this watch. As for the Automatic movement, honestly, who can complain, when you see such a spectacular conception? Thanks for your input, my friend. All the best, Nicolas, dreaming, just like you.

Echi

Jun 20, 2012

Seriously, from all the watches that I've seen spanning how many years of being with TP, this is THE WATCH that I would dream about... which I don't even attempt to because it's just not in my reality sphere. I love JLC and Rolex and maybe even Omega but this watch, THIS WATCH, breaks a lot of psychological boundaries for me. I mean, I don't really bother with putting up watches as desktop backgrounds in my computers BUT THIS ONE made me put it up just so I don't forget that there is such a thin

amanico

Jun 20, 2012

I love this hierarchy on the disastrous effect watches may have on us. :) I agree with you on the impact of a Tourbillon with three ( or less ) ( gold ) bridges. Definitely in the top three of my fav tourbillons: The JLC Reverso platinum Nr 2 Skeleton, the Gyro I, and any GP Tourbillon; And I don't know if this is the good order... The pinnacle of a collection, of ANY collection, for sure. Thanks for your enthusiastic and very well written input, my friend. Nicolas

Dje

Jun 21, 2012

Hi Nicolas, This watch is clearly a dream. It hardly gets more beautiful than this one, for my taste at least. I don't know where you count 60mm, it is clearly a diametre of 42 and in no way an extra large watch. It very nicely fits my moderate wrist. The only problem I see with the current Laureato models is the weight of the steel bracelets, they are too heavy IMO. But the range is gorgeous. If only they could make the EVO Moon in titanium like this one..... best Dje

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