GIRARD-PERREGAUX Laureato ABSOLUTE Ti 230

Here’s a Laureato that we can all get behind – when I say ‘we’ I mean we the discerning watch collectors with an appreciation for fine sports watches – sports watches that are perhaps classed as ‘Manufacture’ timepieces boasting in-house movements etc. And when I say fine sports watches – few non-divers have come along that boast hand-crafted Titanium cases that are water-resistant to 300 meters and have large readable hands, lavished with brightly glowing lume – and that come in under 10’000USD. But this and more is exactly what we have in this latest release from Girard-Perregaux, a name that has not graced the pages of OceanicTime for many years – not since they (GP) sadly discontinued the Sea Hawk. This is the new Laureato Absolute Ti 230 from Girard-Perregaux, it isn’t a dive watch but it is a damn fine sports watch and as such is surely worthy of our attention.

So what’s with this Laureto’s ‘Absolute’ name and Ti 230 suffix? Girard-Perregaux was founded 230 years ago in 1791, so that explains the 230 portion of its name; 

however 1791 (AKA 230 years ago) was the exact same year that an Englishman-of-the-cloth named, William Gregor, discovered a new chemical element while digging in his back garden (possibly for turnips) in Cornwall, England – and that element was Titanium.

With its chemical symbol Ti and atomic number 22, Titanium is a lustrous transition metal with a dusky silver color, low density, and high tensile strength that is also highly resistant to corrosion from sea water and chlorine for that matter. It is also incredibly lightweight. I’m not sure when Girard-Perregaux first started using Titanium but it was at least as far back as 2003 (or perhaps much earlier) when they were developing the 3’000m water-resistant Sea Hawk II Pro which was first introduced in 2004. With the release of the Laureato Absolute Ti 230, the new model draws upon the Manufacture’s know-how with this lightweight element. The resulting two models are contemporary in their design while their character is owed to the repeated interplay of contrasting shades and shapes. Based on the Laureato which btw was first fitted with a slim, ultra-precise quartz movement when it debuted in the 1970s (just another feat in watchmaking that Girard-Perregaux pioneered), this 2021 model continues another (more recent) tradition of the Manufacture. In keeping with its heritage, Girard-Perregaux has equipped this model with a tried and tested mechanical movement, the Caliber GP3300, which is the exact same movement that has been powering many of GP’s sports and diver’s models such as the aforementioned SHII PRO. For the Laureato Absolute Ti 230, the 3300 has been executed with no less than five different finishes. The plate and bridges are meticulously stretched, bevelled, engraved, circular-grained and adorned with Côtes de Genève. First launched in 1975, the Laureato has stood alongside celebrated high-end sports models like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, Patek Philippe Nautilus and Vacheron Constantin Overseas; exuding sporty elegance with its sleek lines as well as wearability from its integrated bracelet (that is absent from this particular model).

GP launched the Absolute Laureato in 2019 - absolute because of its uncompromising features and its strong design that have made this model the sportiest and most contemporary Laureto to date – and btw also owed to its use of super-light, high-tech Titanium. 

The Laureato Absolute Ti 230 is presented in a 44mm lightly sandblasted case that encompasses polished facets, providing a beautiful gleam and subtle contrast – so I’m told. Its case-back has been secured with 6 bolts while its screw-down crown comes with a sporty composite sleeve.

The Laureato Absolute Ti 230 is available with a choice of two gradient dial colors, blue or grey. Beating within its heart is said self-winding Manufacture movement, a reliable and highly decorated Caliber GP03300-1060. The new Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Ti 230 comes on a dial matching rubber strap with a folding clasp. MSRP is 9’300USD. Thoughts? This is an intriguing new release from GP; sure it isn’t a new Sea Hawk and most likely at this point it won’t even be paving the way for any future diver’s models from the Manufacture (although you never know) – but it’s a full-sized Titanium sports model with 300 meters of water-resistance, it is exceedingly handsome and at its price-point it offers exceptional value especially when compared to its contemporaries from AP, VC or Patek. But what do you think?