A new chapter in the history of the Laureato, the Swiss watchmaker has just released a new ladies’ model of the iconic timepiece, which is every bit true to the original.

The Laureato officially made its comeback earlier this year in the form of a limited edition commemorating Girard-Perregaux’s 225th anniversary. If you missed it, check out our coverage of the release. The famous line now continues with the new Laureato 34, a slim size and diamond-studded timepiece for ladies.

While this is a new timepiece, it is by every account true to the original. Since it’s introduction in 1975, the Laureato has been easily recognized by several characteristics, all of which feature in this model. They include the geometrically designed octagonal bezel, a round dial adorned with a Clou de Paris hobnail motif, and the alternating surface finishing providing contrast throughout the watch.

This version of the Laureato – which is 34 in diameter - is also a continuation of the original story because an in-house quartz movement powers it. First I thought that was a bit of an excuse, justifying another quartz movement in a ladies’ timepiece by leaning on history.

Then I realized that the first ever Laureato was also powered by a quartz - the iconic watch was released during the peak of the quartz revolution after all. And as it turns out, Girard-Perregaux was one of the brands to embrace the transition, becoming a pioneer by developing the first quartz movement compact enough to equip ladies’ watches in 1978.

This iteration of the timepiece comes in the sober colourways we’ve come to expect from the brand: silver-tone, slate grey or blue in terms of dial options. Those can be paired with a choice of satin-brushed steel or 18K pink gold cases. There’s even a two-tone variation for the more adventurous types, where the body of the watch is in steel, while the bezel, crown and interlinks are gold.

To make the timepiece even more appealing to the ladies’ luxury market, Girard-Perregaux has set it with 56 diamonds, which have been lined up by their size and taper across the dial. This progressively slimmer design also applies to the strap or bracelet of the watch. Overall, it adds to the timepiece’s excellent proportions, and coming in at under 8mm in thickness makes this a very elegant and versatile watch.

Technical Information

Case

• Material: steel, or pink gold and steel, or 18K pink gold
• Gemsetting: bezel set with 56 brilliant-cut diamonds totalling 0.82 cts
• Diameter: 34.00 mm
• Thickness: 7.75 mm
• Crystal: sapphire glass
• Case-back: solid
• Dial: silver-toned or slate grey or blue, with “Clou de Paris” hobnail motif
• Hands: baton-type, enhanced with a luminescent substance
• Water resistance: 30 metres (3 ATM, 3 bar)

Movement

• References: GP013100-0002/0003/0004 (silver-toned/grey/blue dial versions), quartz,
• Diameter: 20.80 mm (9 ¼’’’)
• Thickness: 1.91 mm
• Frequency: 32,768 Hz
• Jewels: 7
• Functions: hours, minutes, date

Strap/Bracelet

• Leather strap: white or anthracite grey or black alligator leather, with topstitching
• Metal bracelet: steel, or pink gold and steel, or 18K pink gold, with alternating polished and satin-brushed surfaces
• Clasp: triple folding type, in steel or 18K pink gold
• The timepieces fitted with an alligator leather strap are delivered with an additional rubber strap.