To mark the advent of the Chinese New Year, Girard-Perregaux unveiled the Laureato Absolute Light & Fire. This special reference features a distinctive translucent red case. The watchmaker also revealed the new Laureato Absolute Light & Shade, a model that draws on the Maison’s stored watchmaking know-how and employs its vast expertise working with innovative materials. Measuring 44 mm in diameter, the case of this latest model is made from metalized sapphire crystal.
In order to create a watch with a sapphire crystal case, a boule of sapphire crystal must be created using a technique called ‘the Kyropoulos growth method’. This protracted growth method transforms alumina powder into a solid block of sapphire crystal, a process that takes up to 8 weeks. The block is cut into small discs which are then machined to form the bezel, case middle and caseback. After that, the parts need to be thermally treated and then polished. The components are carefully screened, only those corresponding to the specifications and without inclusion are selected. The sapphire crystal components undergo metallization treatment. This process involves applying a surface treatment to the parts within a vacuum. The creation of this sapphire crystal case requires 170 hours of complex work.
The new Laureato Absolute Light & Shade is fitted with the in-house movement. The octagonal-shaped Calibre GP01800-1143 features a plethora of parts. The barrel is openworked, affording sight of the mainspring in various degrees of tension. The gold oscillating weight is openworked so the bridges below can be easily admired.
Openworked hour and minute hands ensure excellent readability. A three-dimensional ring sitting between the bezel and the movement features the GP logo at 12 o’clock and the remaining 11 indexes. Girard-Perregaux has used a unique construction method, preventing the need for a conventional casing ring. The case and the movement are assembled on a single axis, from the caseback to the bezel, by a screw system. Two black, PVD-treated titanium lugs are integrated within the case, uniting the watch head with a black rubber strap.
The strap is made from FKM rubber. The buckle is fitted with a micro-adjustment system. The crown is made of polished and sandblasted PVD-treated titanium, echoing the appearance of the lugs.
The new Laureato Light & Fire is offered with a captivating red color. Limited to just 18 pieces, the model shares much in common with the Laureato Absolute Light & Shade but is housed in a new polycrystalline material named YAG. Similar to sapphire crystal, this translucent material is hard and scratch-resistant.
The Laureato Absolute Light & Shade and The Laureato Absolute Light & Fire will go on sale in April 2023 and will be available worldwide in all authorized Girard-Perregaux retailers.
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