Girard-Perregaux Launches Aston Martin Edition Laureato Chronograph

Following the announcement of their partnership with Girard-Perregaux and Aston Martin, a new model has been born: the Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Edition, a rare limited edition model with only 188 pieces produced.

The DBR1, the car that achieved one of Aston Martin's most iconic victories

　From the early 1900s to the present, racing cars have been available in a variety of colors evocative of the nationality of each team: blue for France, red for Italy, yellow for Belgium, silver for Germany, and British racing green for the UK. The most famous example of Aston Martin's use of green on its racing cars is the Aston Martin DBR1, which won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959. This DBR1 not only won Le Mans, but also the Nürnburgring 1000km race that same year.

　It is often incorporated as a design element into current models, and in April 2021, it was announced that in addition to the V12 Speedster, which will be produced in a limited run of 88 units worldwide, a customized DBR1 will be available. The DBR1 not only excels in motorsports, but also enhances the value of Aston Martin's prestigious cars with its elegant design.

　Even among the current models on sale, the lineup of optional green colors is particularly wide. Although it is a customized color, the name "1959 Racing Green" continues the legacy of the DBR1.

The green dial is finished in 7 layers, with 21 coats of paint applied.

　The dial colour of the Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Edition is once again Aston Martin's signature green, applied in 21 coats, for a total of seven layers. Automotive references include the cross-hatching finish and a pattern reminiscent of the diamonds used in the Aston Martin "AM" logo (1921-1926). This motif is also inspired by the "diamond quilting" used on many of Aston Martin's high-performance models.

The Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Edition features a diverse range of shapes, finishes and colour combinations.

　Combining functionality and beauty, the design celebrates the past while looking to the future, creating a timepiece that resonates with both companies and strengthens the foundation of an ongoing partnership between these two prestigious brands.

　Patrick Prunier, CEO of Girard-Perregaux, said:

"Our Manufacture has a long history of collaboration, dating back to when our founder, Jean-François Botté, brought together various 'établisseurs' under one roof to create one of the first Manufactures as we know it today. Our partnership with Aston Martin has not only resulted in two exceptional models, it also represents the meeting of two ideals and the beginning of a true friendship between our brands and teams. The Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Edition is a testament to our mutual understanding and shared philosophy."

　Etablisseurs refers to an industrial structure based on horizontal division of labor, in which general-purpose movements called ébauches are purchased from suppliers and then installed in the manufacturer's own products. In contrast, there are vertically integrated manufactures that handle everything from designing to manufacturing the movements themselves. The former still predominates today, but Girard-Perregaux, founded over 230 years ago, is one of the leading manufactures in the watch industry.

　Commenting on the collaboration, Aston Martin Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman, added:

"The strengthening of the partnership between Aston Martin and Girard-Perregaux has also reinforced our shared design philosophy of understated luxury. This is evident in subtle touches throughout the watch, such as the partially openworked hour and minute hands, whose design is deliberately evocative of racing car ethos, eschewing materials unrelated to performance. Similarly, the chronograph centre seconds hand features a counterweight that echoes the side strakes that first appeared on the 1958 Aston Martin DB4."

The Laureato has been a regular collection since 2017.

　The sporty octagonal bezel pays homage to the Laureato, the brand's iconic model launched in 1975, and the case, in keeping with Girard-Perregaux's design philosophy, skillfully combines various shapes. Furthermore, the satin-finished finish with polished edges, combined with the numerous curves and cut surfaces, reflects light, creating a new allure.

　The case is 42mm in diameter and made from 904L stainless steel, a higher grade of stainless steel than the more common 316L, offering several advantages, including better corrosion resistance, scratch resistance, and a particularly lustrous, luxurious appearance. It is also used for the satin-finished bracelet.