A MORNING SPENT WITH A BEAUTIFUL LAUREATO
The summer has just started and I got my hands on a beautiful and very summerish 42mm Laureato.
Some may think “Oh no we’re go again with another blue dial watch!”
True, yet it isn't just another “blue dial watch”!
To some enthusiasts the name “Laureato” may sound like a brand that is trying to enter the market for the sport/luxury watches or may give mixed feelings to those who don't know its history.
The Laureato model was launched in 1975 and its name was supposedly originated by an italian importer, from the italian name for the Dustin Hoffman film The Graduate.
Let’s be honest, we all thought about the resemblances to some of the more famous sport/luxury models also launched on the 70’s, like the Royal Oak, the Nautilus or the Ingenieur. But Girard Perregaux always had a very smooth line that separated the Laureato from the rest.
( We actually have one in the shop! A beautiful 1975 Laureato Quartz Complete Set)
Girard Perregaux originally introduced the Laureato with a quartz movement, that was quite innovative back then. The movement was built around a Motorola chip and rapidly became the industry standard.
After some years re-inventing the model and combining various complications, Girard Perregaux decided to bet on the original design.
Simple dial organization, nicely finished dial and an even greater integrated bracelet.
2017 was the year chosen to re-launch this re-designed fantastic piece, adapted to modern days it features a much more defined octagonal bezel with two polishing finishings, a brushed one on the top of the bezel, that contrasting with the polished steel gives it just the right amount of reflections to make the bezel pop out perfectly from the case.
In combination with the bezel, the bracelet also comes with this two types of finishing.
And in my opinion they've chosen the right percentage of polished parts.
I bet most of us would not enjoy it as much if the brushed finishing was applied in all the watch steel parts.
But in the end a watch has to be functional and ergonomic and this is where the magic lies.
When wearing a 42mm Laureato the first thing you notice it's the beautiful Clous de Paris dial pattern/texture, it's almost hypnotic!
Try to observe the dial with daylight and you'll see the magic happening in the front of your eyes like a tridimensional pyramid with shifting lights.
The second characteristic of the Laureato that surprised me is that its look makes it feel like a smooth Royal Oak, like that calm and relaxed cousin that we all have.
The black colored date circle is the perfect final detail that lets all the hour markers and hands gain the main role when filling the gap between the case/bracelet and the dial.
This leads us to an important question, would you buy it? Or would you rather spend your money in one of the more recognized brands like Audemars Piguet or IWC?
