Girard-Perregaux marks half a century of the Laureato collection with a timepiece that looks backward only to leap forward. The new Laureato Fifty is not a nostalgic reissue - it’s a blueprint for the brand’s future. 
Blending refined design, an advanced in-house movement, and elevated craftsmanship, the Fifty demonstrates how one of Switzerland’s oldest manufactures continues to evolve in the era of modern luxury sports watches.
The Legacy of the Laureato: From Quartz to Modern Icon
When the Laureato debuted in 1975, it arrived as a bold experiment: a quartz-powered luxury sports watch at the height of the so-called “Quartz Crisis.” While many Swiss houses struggled to adapt, Girard-Perregaux was one of the few to pioneer high-end quartz chronometers, achieving COSC certification and introducing precise, integrated designs that stood apart from the emerging mechanical icons of the era like the Royal Oak and Nautilus.
Over five decades, the Laureato has transformed from a quartz curiosity into a cornerstone of mechanical luxury. Each generation brought subtle refinements - from the early 1980s mechanical relaunch to the modern revival in 2016. Now, the Laureato Fifty completes that journey with a new engine under the hood: the GP4800 calibre.
Inside the Case: The GP4800 Calibre and Mechanical Innovation
At the heart of the Laureato Fifty lies Girard-Perregaux’s latest in-house automatic movement, the GP4800
. This new calibre replaces the long-serving GP03300 - a reliable but aging base that powered countless GP models and even supplied other brands. The GP4800 brings the Laureato into a new era of precision, reliability, and refinement.
The movement is compact at 25.6 mm wide and just 4.3 mm thick, designed to fit a wider range of case sizes than its 30 mm predecessor, the GP01800. Its technical features read like a checklist of modern horology essentials: a silicon escapement for anti-magnetic stability, a variable-inertia balance wheel for finer timekeeping regulation, a 4Hz frequency, and a 55-hour power reserve. 
The finishing touches - Geneva stripes, perlage, and a skeletonized 18k gold rotor - showcase Girard-Perregaux’s continuing devotion to aesthetic excellence as much as mechanical mastery.
Watchmakers and collectors alike have praised the GP4800 as a smart evolution rather than a revolution. It maintains the traditional architecture that allows serviceability and reliability, while upgrading every component that affects precision and durability. It’s the kind of innovation that quietly elevates the experience for owners - the sort of detail you feel every time you wind or wear it.
Design Evolution: Familiar Form, Enhanced Execution
The Laureato Fifty measures 39 mm in diameter and 9.8 mm in height, keeping the balanced proportions that made previous Laureato models so wearable
. Yet, every component has been subtly re-engineered. The case lines are sharper, the lugs wider, and the architecture more sculptural - yielding a bolder wrist presence without increasing size. The result is a timepiece that looks immediately familiar yet unmistakably more modern.
Its two-tone design - stainless steel and 18k yellow gold - pays tribute to the original 1970s Laureato aesthetic, but in a sleeker, more refined form. The octagonal bezel gleams against a satin-finished case, and the grey dial brings a contemporary sophistication. The “GP” logo has been replaced with a double-stick index at 12 o’clock, balancing the symmetry and cleaning up the dial layout. The overall impression is one of quiet confidence - luxury that doesn’t need to shout.
Improved Bracelet and Ergonomics
Girard-Perregaux has rethought the Laureato bracelet, a signature element since 1975. The links are now shorter and more articulated, improving both the comfort and drape around the wrist. The updated butterfly clasp integrates a micro-adjustment system allowing up to 4 mm of expansion, ensuring a perfect fit regardless of temperature or wrist movement. This is not just aesthetic refinement - it’s a functional one, showing that GP understands the difference between a beautiful watch and one that feels beautiful to wear.
Position in the Market: Between Heritage and Modernity
The luxury integrated sports watch category is crowded with icons - Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak, Patek Philippe’s Nautilus, Vacheron Constantin’s Overseas, and even newer entrants like Chopard’s Alpine Eagle. Yet, Girard-Perregaux occupies a unique niche: less ostentatious, more artisanal, and often more accessible in price compared to its peers. The Laureato Fifty continues that philosophy, emphasizing craftsmanship and timelessness over hype.
At $28,320 USD, the Laureato Fifty sits below the pricing of comparable two-tone competitors from the “Holy Trinity” brands, while offering an in-house calibre and limited production. Only 200 pieces will be made - an exclusivity that appeals to collectors seeking rarity without extravagance.
Why This Release Matters
The Laureato Fifty is not just a commemorative model; it signals a new phase for Girard-Perregaux. The GP4800 movement will eventually power future models, gradually phasing out the GP03300. This evolution aligns with broader industry trends - where heritage brands seek to modernize their mechanical foundations without alienating traditional enthusiasts.
It’s also an important moment for Girard-Perregaux as a brand. After its partnership with Aston Martin and renewed interest among younger collectors, GP has regained cultural relevance. The Laureato Fifty capitalizes on that momentum, showing the maison can compete with both legacy heavyweights and emerging independents.
Expert Perspective: A Subtle but Strategic Masterstroke
Watch experts describe the Laureato Fifty as a “strategic quiet revolution.” Instead of introducing shock-value changes, GP invested in details: tolerances, wearability, finishing, and engineering consistency. For seasoned collectors, those refinements are far more meaningful than visual gimmicks. The Laureato Fifty embodies what many call “mature luxury” - understatement born of expertise.
In contrast to some peers who rely on aggressive marketing or limited collaborations, Girard-Perregaux focuses on product substance. This model reinforces that identity, ensuring the Laureato remains a thinking collector’s choice rather than a trend chaser’s trophy.
Specifications at a Glance
- Case: 39 mm stainless steel and 18k yellow gold
- Thickness: 9.8 mm
- Movement: GP4800 automatic, in-house
- Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vph)
- Power Reserve: 55 hours
- Water Resistance: 150 meters
- Edition: Limited to 200 pieces
- Price: $28,320 USD
FAQs About the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Fifty
Is the Laureato Fifty replacing the standard Laureato models?
No. Girard-Perregaux plans to introduce the GP4800 gradually across the Laureato family. The Fifty acts as a preview of future design and movement standards.
How does the GP4800 compare to the GP03300?
The GP4800 offers improved chronometric precision, silicon components for anti-magnetism, longer power reserve, and finer decoration - a full generational leap forward.
Why does Girard-Perregaux continue making two-tone watches?
Two-tone designs, once dismissed as outdated, have returned as a symbol of contemporary sophistication. GP’s execution combines nostalgia with modern elegance, appealing to collectors who value timeless aesthetics.
Key Takeaways
- The Laureato Fifty celebrates 50 years of design evolution while introducing the GP4800, a next-generation in-house movement.
- New ergonomic bracelet design and updated proportions improve comfort and visual impact.
- Two-tone construction pays homage to the original Laureato, blending heritage with modern finesse.
- Limited to 200 pieces, the watch positions Girard-Perregaux as a serious competitor in the high-end sports watch segment.
- It marks the beginning of a new mechanical era for the brand, signaling where the Laureato line will evolve next.
Conclusion: A Confident Step Into the Future
The Girard-Perregaux Laureato Fifty is a study in evolution done right - an elegant intersection of history and innovation. It’s a watch designed not to shock, but to endure. With the GP4800 calibre, improved ergonomics, and nuanced design language, it proves that subtlety can be the ultimate expression of luxury. For collectors and enthusiasts alike, it’s a reminder that Girard-Perregaux continues to thrive not by reinventing itself every decade, but by perfecting what it has always done best: crafting watches that stand the test of time.
