In 1975, girard-Perregaux introduced the Laureato, a timepiece that single-handedly broke all the conventions of that time in terms of the shape, the materials and the movement. Suggested by girard-Perregaux’s Italian distributor, the name is a nod to the film world. It is inspired by and bears the same name in italian as the Mike Nichols film The Graduate (1967) starring Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft and Katharine Ross.


If historians were to choose the watershed moment when the watchmaking industry began using steel as a quality material to make high-end watches look sportier, they would also have to factor in the Laureato’s trajectory from its period of development to its release in 1975.
Right from the beginning, this model also featured gold, which was particularly unusual for watches of this type.

The word bold has always been part of the Girard-Perregaux vocabulary. The design of this watch was an inspired move at a time when marketing departments hadn’t yet taken their first steps into the world of watchmaking.

Legends are unique because they transcend fashions. In 1984, complications were added to the Laureato that increased its allure and presence across all market segments. this is when it was equipped with the famous Equation movements that supplied astronomical indicators.

The bezel on the case and integrated bracelet was still octagonal and polished. The bracelet was enhanced with domed interlinks with a polished surface that nicely offset the shiny bezel, which also resulted in a pleasantly rounded form.


In order to accommodate the slimline self-winding mechanical GP 3100 movement, the Laureato’s dimensions had to be enlarged with a new construction that did not at all affect its original proportions.
The new design featured more room for the bezel and case-band while the links in the bracelet began resembling an H.

In 1996, The chronograph version led to the creation of the Olimpico collection and in 1998 the design was changed in order to encase the well-known Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges movement, a signature feature that is synonymous with Girard-Perregaux. There was a clear message in this new and sportier world: the extraordinary tourbillon confirmed it was reliable and rugged under any conditions.

With a self-winding mechanical chronograph movement, the now famous Laureato design entered into the third millennium by advancing toward diameters larger than 40 mm. The Laureato EVO³ case came in at 44 mm and had an octagonal bezel – the first one to be satin-brushed – that was nestled inside and enhanced by the circle. Seamlessly integrated, the screwed winder and push-pieces showcased the collection’s sporty style.

Inside the Laureato EVO³, the 52-jewel manufacture movement Girard-Perregaux GP 033C0- A0VAA with a 46-hour power reserve is a kinetic tribute to the microcomplications and the balance of their display: the 24-hour counter sits at 9 o’clock opposite the second counter at 3 o’clock and the calendar-hand date marker lies at 12 o’clock. The chronographic minute and second hands are tipped in red and sweep across the entire dial.

The collection was then developed with versions of the Laureato Tourbillon with Three Bridges that were completely transparent. Bridges made of sapphire as well as blue spinel displayed a levitating effect and as a result the model met with phenomenal success.