SIHH 2018 Novelty: Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph – Live Shots and Review

Jan 21, 2018,22:01 PM
 

With the doors of SIHH just closed, let’s take a closer look at this year’s novelties from Girard-Perregaux and start with the Laureato Chronograph.

 



All live shots of the new Laureato credit to Blomman.


For the press release announcement you can go back here:

 

www.watchprosite.com

 

The new Laureato Chronograph has been made available in two different sizes, 38mm and 42mm. Both share the same dial designs, bracelet/strap options and the same movement.


So really they provide a choice to choose which size fits your wrist better.


Before we look closer at the new Laureatos, let’s go back in history.

 


Heritage and History:

 

If we only focus on the Chronograph function in the Laureato line, we need to go back all the way to 1996.

 

In 1996, GP added a three-register Chronograph with date at 4:30h to its Laureato line. It was one of the first that came with the inhouse caliber 3170.

 

As 1996 was an Olympic year (Atlanta), the Laureato Chronograph was released as a Limited Edition of 999 pieces as the Laureato Olimpico, Reference 8017.




 


The new Laureato of 2018 really picks up on the design elements of the 8017 while modernizing its lines and its dial.

 

Three register dial, date at 4:30h, crown guards and pushers with octagonal screws (will get back to the pushers further down).

 

Best way to demonstrate how the heritage of the 8017 has been moved into the modern Laureato while bringing a fresh look would be a side-by-side shot.

 



 


Clous-de-Paris dial pattern and hands design is very similar, but the subdials have been given a more modern look. The date is now aligned with the dial colour, which particularly on darker dials makes it blend in better.


However, there was also in the mid 2000s the Laureato Evo3 Chronograph that is also part of the heritage.

 



 


While the dial layout is different on the Evo3 and the case is more round, the Evo3 had screw-in pushers, which are coming back with the new Laureato. This in particular helps with Water Resistance, which is 100m for the steel models and 50m for the gold models.

 


Laureato Chronograph 38mm

 

Let’s start with a closer look at the 38mm Chronograph.

 



 


These live shots of the 38mm Laureato Chronograph with blue dial and with white Panda dial show the variety that is available with the new Chronograph. Let’s stay with the Steel models for now as they will likely be the most popular.

 

The blue dial is a personal favourite of mine. Of course, blue is the colour of love as we established already, so having a blue Clous-de-Paris dial pattern has got to be a winner.

 



 


At 3 we have the running seconds while at 9 the 30min Chrono counter and at 6 the Chrono hour counter. The Hour and Minute hands are blued with white luminova.

 

I was initially a bit uncertain about the choice of blued hands and also blued indexes but with the white luminova and seeing the live shots, I think the choice is logical as it provides the best contrast.

 

The indexes seem to float over the Clous-de-Paris dial, a very nice little detail.

 

Also credit to GP for keeping the text on the dial to a minimum. Not even “Laureato” can be found on the dial (it is engraved on the case back) and thankfully no “Chronograph” or “automatic”. It is almost as if they have listened to our community.

 



 


And it goes even further. We have a solid case back! Very nice engraving with “Laureato / Chronograph” and it avoids the display of a smallish movement in a large case, especially on the 42mm models. I can only applaud GP for that choice.

 



 


One word on the strap choices. Besides the known bracelet, which is very well made and flexible and comfortable, we also have two choices of straps.

 

A crocodile strap as seen here and a rubber strap option. The new rubber straps for the Chronograph are a bit thinner, softer and more comfortable.

 



 


In general, I think the strap transforms the look of the watch completely and I personally have a preference for the strap on the Chronograph, while I prefer the bracelet for the time-only Laureato.

 



 



Laureato Chronograph 42mm

 



 


The 42mm Chronograph is very similar to the 38mm, but of course with a larger diameter. The extra 4mm provide the dial more room to breathe.

 

The distance between the subdials is a little larger and overall provides more space on the dial. The only downside is that the date moves a little further inwards but not an issue for me.

 



 


The proportions provide for more heft, so for a larger wrist, this will be a natural choice. At the moment, I cannot decide which I would prefer, it would likely take time to “test-drive” both versions to make up my mind.

 

I think it will also be important to see both size versions with either strap or bracelet option as it really transforms the look on the wrist.

 

So as you can see, even if we only narrow down the selection to the Steel Laureato Chronographs, we have a lot of options and choices and on the one hand it will not be easy to make a decision, on the other hand, there should be a version for every taste and size.

 



 

Here is a collage of all Laureato Chronographs currently available, top row 38mm and bottom row 42mm.

 


Conclusions:

 

The new Laureato Chronograph release is a clear evolution of the Laureato Olimpico 8017 and GP once again demonstrated that it has a rich heritage it can draw upon and provide us with modern interpretations of classic designs.

 

Based on what I have seen thus far, my clear personal winner is the all blue dial Chronograph in 42mm.




 


I think it would make a great addition between my blue dial 8010 Laureato and my white dial 8017 Chronograph. Ok Santa, is it already this time of the year again?

 

Thanks for reading and I look forward to your comments and I look also forward reading Blomman’s views on the new Chronograph.

 

Best,

 

CC

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Comments: view entire thread

 

Thank you for your thoughts about this new GP Chronograph dear CC

 
 By: Alkiro1 : January 21st, 2018-23:42
From my side, I prefer the black dial and blue sub dials version. First, this colour combo is quite unusual and the nicest for me among the three versions. It could be considered as a “BB (Black/Blue) reverse panda” which is pretty cool no? 😋 Second, as I... 

Thanks Alkiro

 
 By: crown comfort : January 22nd, 2018-01:36
I think your choice is a good one. The black Clous-de-Paris looks really classy and I also think that 42 would be better for you. Case back is solid as seen in one of the photos, so this time they did not allow to unscrew the case back

Who knows! 😉

 
 By: Alkiro1 : January 22nd, 2018-05:32
Best wishes Alkiro

Thanks Nico.

 
 By: crown comfort : January 22nd, 2018-01:39
I think we should give it some time to develop and grow. I also like the Evo3 very much, but I also think the new one is a great modernisation of the Laureato Olimpico of which I'm a big fan.

Nice summary.

 
 By: VMM : January 21st, 2018-23:59
I didn't know there was a 38 mm version, I like it. The blue dial is my favorite. Thanks for sharing. Vte

Thanks Vte.

 
 By: crown comfort : January 22nd, 2018-03:05
Yes, 38 and 42 mm should provide the right size for everyone. IT's great to have a choice in size.

Excellent review, my friend!

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : January 22nd, 2018-00:38
I think this one will be very successful version of the Laureato! Good to see the link between the 8017 and the Evo3. Will come back with my personal view on this new model. Thank you for this post! Best Blomman

Excellent review.....

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : January 22nd, 2018-00:51
......takes me through the process so well. No.....actually gets me thinking...."Uhm, which one should I go for?" I love the pictorial story and the accompanying facts and details of the evolution too. Great job. Joe

Thanks Joe. The heritage and evolution is so important in my view

 
 By: crown comfort : January 22nd, 2018-03:07
I see you have the same problem...which one to get???

Good propositions from GP there

 
 By: COUNT DE MONET : January 22nd, 2018-01:00
The offer of two very sensible sizes is brilliant and also the more elegant new looks. A solid case back was the right decision the movement albeit in-house, is a week point of the watch. But the watch makes it up with a very appealing look!

Great report

 
 By: piccolochimico (aka dsgalaxy1) : January 22nd, 2018-04:54
GP seems to be aware that a sporty model is important, BUT can't be the main line, unless you want to focus on one model only (like AP). Their current production is wide in terms of models. Laureato is the icing on the cake

Great info CC

 
 By: Joepny : January 22nd, 2018-05:36
What more can you say about the GP 03300 chronograph movement? Is there an old post about it? I'm curious to find out more. I guess it is a modular movement with chronograph on top of a base movement? Is it chronometre grade? Robust? Thanks! -joe

Thanks Joe.

 
 By: crown comfort : January 22nd, 2018-09:52
I would need to do a search if there is more detail in the forum about the Chronograph caliber. It is indeed a modular design sitting on top of the in-house automatic movement. CC

Thanks CC.

 
 By: Joepny : January 22nd, 2018-09:54
Okay. 😃

Youhave done us a nice service with this review, CC.

 
 By: TheMadDruid : January 22nd, 2018-06:02
Unfortunately you have probably done my wallet a disservice later on this year.

We share same favorite

 
 By: Ares501 - Mr Green : January 22nd, 2018-06:10
Excellent post dear CC and amazing pictures with beautiful backdrop Reference post for this year Laureato line. Cheers D

Fantastic Review and Collection...

 
 By: SALMANPK : January 22nd, 2018-06:20
The Silver Dial on Bracelet is my favorite. S

Many thanks, Salman. [nt]

 
 By: crown comfort : January 22nd, 2018-09:53

Very nice report & splendid pictorial, CC !.. Great to see the different versions of cases & colors & strap variations !..

 
 By: hs111 : January 22nd, 2018-06:32
.. on my humble personal side, from the ones shown, I guess I‘d also pick the 42mm, black Clous de Paris & blue subcounters, because of a more favorable contrast.. But I guess one would really see them side by side.. What I wondered also, is there also th... 

Thanks, dear HS. My pleasure sharing my views

 
 By: crown comfort : January 22nd, 2018-09:54
at this time, there is no grey dial version of the Chronograph. I guess the closest is the black with blue subdials.

Wonderful review...

 
 By: KIH : January 22nd, 2018-07:54
... this new Laureato Chronograph is, I think, one of the most standing-out novelties in this SIHH, but it was so stealthy that not many people noticed - Girard-Perregaux came out with so many super novelties! For me, the winner is 42mm "panda" version. I... 

I really like these and can't wait to see them, and see how the chrono movement "feels".

 
 By: Cru Jones : January 22nd, 2018-15:51
It's tough for me to pick a favorite at this time, but I'm surprised by how much I really like the blue (while I prefer the grey for the time/date model). I'm also a big fan of the panda, but less the black/blue, as I just am not a huge blue/black fan. I ... 

Many thanks CJ.

 
 By: crown comfort : January 23rd, 2018-00:08
I share the same "problem" with you in deciding which one to pick. I think it will take a longer decision process with lots of trying on... Best, CC

The Laureato range is growing on me!

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : January 23rd, 2018-02:27
thanks cc for the report . I just tried the 38mm Laureato today. The 42mm version is too large for my small 6.25 inch wrist. Quick question - are these Laureato dials engine turned like in the AP RO ? I guess not for the price (probably stamped dials). CC...  

Thanks Robin for your input

 
 By: crown comfort : January 23rd, 2018-05:32
I think the 38mm Laureato is perfect for your wrist Regarding your question. I think I vaguely remember that GP posted something about the dial manufacturing process on their FB page. I will have a look and see if I can find it again and will report back.... 

Making of Laureato dial

 
 By: crown comfort : January 23rd, 2018-12:50
Hi Robin, I found the series with the making of the dial and I pasted here some photos from GP. It's not really clear from the text how the Clous de Paris pattern is applied, the hour markers and the GP logo are stamped out and applied after. Sorry, not a...  

Thanks a lot cc !!

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : January 24th, 2018-05:49
nice pics of the dial manufacturing ! when you have the chance could you ask GP for me on my question? I suspect it will be an interesting fact for many PuristS Cheers Robin

Some info, I received

 
 By: crown comfort : January 24th, 2018-08:17
Hi Robin, got a quick reply, so I can provide some more details. The dials of the Laureato are stamped. GP also does some hand guilloche, but the quantities of the Laureato make that not possible. Hand guilloche is mostly used on the Haute Horlogerie watc... 

Great info, thanks. [nt]

 
 By: Cru Jones : January 24th, 2018-14:24

My pleasure, CJ. [nt]

 
 By: crown comfort : January 25th, 2018-01:50

Great info thanks cc !! [nt]

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : January 25th, 2018-07:00

You're welcome, Robin. [nt]

 
 By: crown comfort : January 25th, 2018-07:02