Girard-Perregaux Laureato Skeleton “Earth to Sky” Edition

For its 2019 collection, Girard-Perregaux introduced an original “Earth to Sky” theme, which has been implemented on both existing pieces (like the 1966) or on new watches (like the Laureato Absolute). The name refers to the surprising conjunction of colours, mixing the blackness of the cosmos with the blueness of Earth. This “Earth to Sky” theme is now applied to one of the brand’s signature watches, the Ceramic Skeleton Laureato.

It is often said that black and blue don’t match (at least, in fashion). Still, this was the bold choice adopted by Girard-Perregaux for its 2019 collection: fully blackened watches (case and strap) fitted with gradient blue dials. And in the metal, the result was surprisingly good looking. For this reason, the same colour scheme is applied to the brand’s vision of a luxury sports watch, the Laureato, in its full black ceramic version with a modernly skeletonized movement.

This new version, dubbed Laureato Skeleton “Earth to Sky” Edition, is based on a watch we’ve already covered in the past here. The revival of the Laureato occurred in 2016. This watch, introduced for the 225th anniversary of the brand, was a vintage-inspired piece (at least for the shape), yet modernly sized and powered by a mechanical movement (the 1975 version was quartz). The real comeback of the Laureato, as a full, standard collection, happened at the SIHH 2017, with a complete range of watches: 42mm, 38mm, 34mm diameters, in steel, in two-tone, in titanium, in ceramic or in gold, with time-and-date movement, with chronograph, with tourbillon, with skeletonized calibre. No longer a stand-alone watch but a proper dedicated collection.

For this “Earth to Sky” Edition, Girard-Perregaux has chosen the Laureato Skeleton as a base. It comes in a 42mm case made of black ceramic, which still retains the same brushed and polished surfaces as the metallic models. The case has a distinctive luxury sports watch shape, with an octagonal bezel, a cushion-shaped case, a slim profile and an integrated bracelet –  also executed in full black ceramic.

The “face” of the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Skeleton “Earth to Sky” Edition is a deep blue colour. As you can expect from a skeleton watch, there’s no proper dial but the sapphire crystal reveals the hollowed main-plate of the movement, surrounded by an inner flange on which the hour indexes float. Both elements are PVD coated. The display is classical, with hours and minutes in the centre, a discreet running seconds at 10 o’clock. At 12 o’clock, the regulating organ can be seen beating through the openworked plates.

The movement of the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Skeleton “Earth to Sky” is based on the brand’s in-house calibre 1800. This self-winding movement has been modernly openworked (including the central winding rotor), with nice curves and sharp angles. The finishing is beautiful, with straight-brushed surfaces and polished bevelled angles. The movement offers a comfortable 54-hour power reserve.

The Girard-Perregaux Laureato Skeleton “Earth to Sky” Edition is a non-limited edition, which will be priced at CHF 38,500. More details at www.girard-perregaux.com.