GIRARD-PERREGAUX – LAUREATO Absolute Ti 230 Titanium 44 Edition 2021
A remarkable year
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La Chaux-de-Fonds, 3 August, 2021 – Girard-Perregaux was founded 230 years ago in 1791, the same year an English clergyman, William Gregor, discovered titanium in Cornwall. With the release of the Laureato Absolute Ti 230, the new model unites the Manufacture’s know-how with the lightweight element. The resultant two watches are contemporary, rich in character and repeatedly play with contrasting shades and shapes. Further highlighting this important anniversary, the Ti 230 blue dial reference will be distributed exclusively through Wempe for the first month following its launch.
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This year marks the
230th anniversary of
Girard-Perregaux. As part of its celebrations, the Manufacture is revisiting its iconic models and releasing a number of new creations. The story of the Maison began in
1791 when
Jean-François Bautte, aged just
19, produced his first pocket watch. However, the most romantic chapter in the brand’s history is when
Constant Girard married
Marie Perregaux in
1854, culminating in the birth of one of the greatest names in watchmaking.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOIn
1791, clearly a remarkable year, an English clergyman,
William Gregor, discovered a black sand called menachanite in Cornwall. He analysed it and concluded that it contained oxides of iron and an unknown metal. This metal was subsequently identified as titanium, an element named after the
Titans, the children of
Uranus and
Gaea in
Greek mythology. Today, titanium is widely used, not only in watchmaking but also in the fields of aerospace, medicine and motorsport, selected for its array of benefits.
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The
Laureato Absolute Ti 230 unites the two stories of
Girard-Perregaux and
William Gregor, drawing on know-how amassed over
230 years. Titanium comes in many forms, sometimes alloyed with other elements.
Girard-Perregaux prefers to use Grade 5 titanium as it is particularly strong, corrosion resistant, lightweight and hypoallergenic; attributes that enrich the wearer’s experience.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOAnother reason for using Grade 5 titanium is that the metal can be polished.
Girard-Perregaux presents the
Laureato Absolute Ti 230 in a
44mm lightly sandblasted case that encompasses polished facets, providing a beautiful gleam and subtle contrast. Successfully combining both types of finish proves more demanding, however, as
Girard-Perregaux has repeatedly shown, it never shies from a challenge.
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Patrick Pruniaux, CEO of
Girard-Perregaux, remarks, “
With the release of the Laureato Absolute Ti 230 we wanted to create a new version of our iconic watch from 1975. This model is modern but encompasses traditional craftsmanship. The sandwich dial construction and GP’s world-premiere Rubber Alloy strap, this time incorporating titanium, are further sumptuous details that also feature on this watch. Finally, while the price may be more inclusive, the quality remains typically Girard-Perregaux and the watch feels just as exclusive as our other models.”
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Kim-Eva Wempe, managing owner of Gerhard D.
Wempe KG of
Wempe, comments, “
Once again, Girard-Perregaux
kindly approached us and offered exclusivity for this new model prior
to its worldwide launch. We are delighted to have this opportunity and
we appreciate the close working relationship we enjoy with Girard-Perregaux, forged over several years but solidified last year when we were fortunate to become their exclusive retailer across Germany.”
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The combination of curves and lines are juxtaposed with the octagonal bezel and crown, beautifully playing with contrasts. The Laureato Absolute Ti 230 is available with a choice of a blue or grey dial, augmenting eye-appeal. For the first time, the Maison offers a Laureato Absolute where the crown is encircled with a rubber ring, matching the hue of the rubber strap. This detail may not be obvious at first glance, but it will be familiar to those in the know.
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The dial is of a sandwich-type construction, comprised of an upper layer, perforated with numerous openings, sat upon a lower layer. The apertures in the upper layer afford partial sight of the lower layer, presented in grey. By adopting this design approach, the apertures form recessed luminescent baton-type indexes, wonderfully playing with depths, thereby heightening the overall appearance of the dial.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO Beating at the heart of the
Laureato Absolute Ti 230 is a self-winding Manufacture movement, the
Calibre GP03300-1060. It contains
218 components, all produced to
Girard-Perregaux’s exacting standards.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTOUpholding
Laureato tradition, the strap is integrated, a characteristic found on the original model released in
1975. The strap, made of GP Rubber Alloy, this time containing titanium, perfectly matches the colour of the dial, and features a fabric effect texture, tastefully enlivened with grey stitching.
Girard-Perregaux, consistent with its no-compromise attitude, has selected FKM rubber, a specification that provides greater suppleness and resistance than conventional rubber. The Manufacture has chosen to pair the strap with a titanium folding clasp with a micro-adjustment system, allowing the wearer to fine tune the size to deliver the optimal wrist fit.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO The
Laureato Absolute Ti 230, as previously stated, is offered in two variants, blue and grey. Each option is
limited to
230 pieces.
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The blue dial version of the
Laureato Absolute Ti 230 will be sold
exclusively by
Wempe for one month in its ten boutiques across
Germany as well as its flagship stores in New York and London. Thereafter, the model will be available in all authorised
Girard-Perregaux retailers and on the brand’s e-commerce site.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO With immediate effect, the grey dial version is available in all authorised
Girard-Perregaux retailers as well as the brand’s e-commerce site.
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-----------------------About WempeThe Wempe name is synonymous with fine timepieces and jewelry. This family-owned company, which is based in Hamburg and
was founded in 1878, is headed by Kim-Eva Wempe and has 33 branches in cities all over the world, including New York, Paris,
and London. The company has been closely connected for generations with the renowned watch manufactures of Switzerland
and Germany. Wempe produces its own Glashütte I/SA brand wristwatch chronometers in Glashütte, Saxony, and its own by
Kim brand jewelry in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Baden-Wuerttemberg. In addition, Wempe operates the largest independent
watchmakers’ workshop in Europe and has been certified as a “Best Place to Learn” in Germany since 2015 Wempe Press Contact:
mailto:Nadja.Weisweiler@wempe.de
+49 (0) 40 33 448 847-----------------------------www.wempe.com
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TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Model: LAUREATO Absolute TI 230
Case
Material: Grade 5 titanium
Diameter: 44.00 mm
Height: 14.65 mm
Glass: sapphire anti-reflective
Case-back: secured by 6 screws, engraved Laureato Absolute logo
- Dial 1: blue, cut out ‘baton’ type indexes with luminescent material
- Dial 2: grey, cut out ‘baton’ type indexes with luminescent material
Hands: ‘baton’ type with luminescent material
Water resistance: 300 metres (30 ATM)
Movement
Calibre Reference: GP03300-1060
Self-winding mechanical movement
Diameter: 25.95 mm (11 1/2 ’’’)
Height: 3.36 mm
Frequency: 28,800 Vib/h – (4 Hz)
Number of components: 218
Number of jewels: 27
Power reserve: min. 46 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds, date
Bracelet
- Material: blue rubber injected with titanium, fabric effect and grey stitching
- Material: grey rubber injected with titanium, fabric effect and grey stitching
Buckle: titanium, folding clasp with micro adjustment system
Limited to Only 230 Pièce
PRICE : World Price: CHF 8,260 / $ 9,300
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Press release - 2021
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