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The Manual Wind: Girard Perregaux Laureato 2016 Limited Edition

the manual wind girard perregaux laureato 2106 limited edition 16laureato3
The resurrection continues.  Historically inspired watches are the new design template for watch brands nowadays.  Nearly every brand with a lineage dating back fifty plus years has been resurrecting their historically classic designs for the modern watch era.  Girard Perregaux is next on the list.  With the success of staple watch collection pieces like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the Patek Nautilus, GP has brought back its simple yet classic stainless steel timepiece.  For 2016, the GP Laureato makes its re-debut.

16laureato1The original Laureato of the 70s was only 36mm and quartz.  For 2016, this classic and simple design takes on a modern diameter, 41mm, and an automatic in-house movement.  A mere 10mm thick, the piece is meant to join the ranks of the other classic stainless bracelet timepieces.  An angular bezel, textured dial, and brushed multi piece bracelet with polished center link are reminiscent of the 70s as well as the watches counterparts from AP and Patek.

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The Laureato design spawned many timepieces over the years.  From steel bracelet complications to large rubber strap and bezel 44mm limited editions, the Laureato has been one of GP’s famed designs.  This 2016 Laureato is certainly just that, 2016.  Larger, simpler, classically inspired and more affordable defines 2016 and the GP Laureato 2016.  There are few steel bracelet timepieces that can be both casual and formal.  The aforementioned AP and Patek top the list of desirables.  Here is a classic option from an old watch house that just might fit the category.  Priced at $14,300 and limited to only 225 pieces, GP certainly feels it does.

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the manual wind iwc big pilot heritage limited edition iwcbp1

The new year brings new watches.  As soon as the clock ticks 12:01, the rumors and pre-releases start to swirl in the watch world.  The brands are just as excited to exhibit as the watch-a-holiics to see.  IWC always has their new releases in the chamber ready to be fired.  This year is no different.  IWC has reloaded their iconic Big Pilot for their new Big Pilot Heritage.

Offered in two sizes, 48mm and 55mm, the larger version is the largest IWC introduction since 1940.  Taken from the original 1940 design, the Heritage brings back that classic look, but with a twist.  The case is now in titanium.  A monster like this comes in weighing a mere 150 grams (over 30 grams less than the steel version).  Blue steel hands and the now extremely popular faux patina add contrast to this classic dial layout.  Attached with a brown calf strap and deployment completes this tribute pilot piece.  An IWC 8-day power reserve moment powers this classic beast.  There is even a newly added window on the caseback to view the power reserve truly making this a modern classic.

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Longines Mono-Pusher Chronograph

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This 41mm steel timepiece makes one of the most classic chronographs available to all; the mono-pusher.  With a single pusher located inside the crown, this ETA column wheel chronograph is engaged by the first press, stopped by the second, and reset by the third.  Two registers located at the nine and three complete this classically symmetrical dial.  Arabic numerals and a date function at the six o’clock make this a practical piece.  Offered with a black dial, matching black crocodile strap and rhodium numbers and hands, as well as white lacquer dial, brown strap and blue steel hands are the two variations.  Both make for a great dress piece with the ability to fill a major void in any collection; the dress chronograph.

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The Manual Wind: Rolex Yachtmaster Everose Gold
the manual wind rolex yachtmaster everose gold

To the disappointment of many, this years Basel Fair 2015 seemed lackluster.  Brands made their annual releases and upgrades, but very few pieces created any real buzz.  Rolex, always greatly anticipated, had their fans feeling let down.  The previous year, there were multiple releases that turned Rolex enthusiasts on their heads.  There was the Pepsi GMT Master in white gold, the Milgauss blue dial, and the Deep Sea Sea Dweller James Cameron piece.  This year, just one piece really gave Rolex fans something to pause on, The Yachtmaster Everose Gold.

The Yachtmaster has been around for plenty of years with not much change.  The most recent update came when a blue dial was added to their steel with platinum bezel piece.  This years update is way more drastic.  For the first time, Rolex is offering a stock rubber strap on a piece.  This black rubber strap attached to the classic 40mm now rose gold case is a big change for Rolex; a brand mainly known for metal bracelets.  To accompany this black rubber strap, the sporty bezel bearing raised numerals has now been produced in matte ceramic.  Paired with a black dial and rose hands and markers, this piece does not lack style points.

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