Don’t look now, but it feels like luxury watch brands are finally beginning to discover what many in the enthusiast community have known for quite some time, namely that titanium rules, and that given the proper attention, it can clean up pretty nicely and actually look quite refined. We recently saw Zenith debut their Chronomaster Sport in titanium, and it’s not really a surprise that their sportiest watch translates particularly well in the material. Now, just weeks later, Girard-Perregaux has unveiled a new Laureato Chronograph reference in titanium, the Laureato Chronograph Ti49.
While Girard-Perregaux has had other titanium Laureatos in their catalog, this is the first time the classic case profile has been presented in grade 5 titanium. That’s important, because the Laureato case is essential to understanding the watch. The chronograph case measures 42mm in diameter and is just 12mm tall, and the case is gentler and curvier than other integrated bracelet sports watches that were introduced in the same era (the Laureato was introduced in 1975). In steel, the Laureato Chronograph has an imposing heft, and you feel every ounce in that watch’s wrist presence. In titanium, the chronograph presents very differently, and has that shockingly light feeling that people who swear by titanium have always known and loved.
What’s special about this watch is that, similar to the Zenith linked above, Girard-Perregaux has paid special attention to the dial, picking a color that complements the tone of the material particularly well. The tone of gray that was selected (along with the way the case is finished) gives the whole package a distinctive warmth that is antithetical to how we normally think of titanium, as a cool, technical material. The Laureato’s signature “Clous de Paris” dial pattern gives it some additional added depth, with the radial finishing on the chronograph subdials creating a nice contrast.
The alloy of grade 5 titanium used here also allows Girard-Perregaux to finish the case in a particularly luxurious manner, with a mix of polished surfaces and satin finishes on the case and bracelet. The small facets on the wall of the bezel and thin chamfers running down the case flanks present a particular challenge, and are executed here at a very high level. This level of intricacy in finishing by luxury brands is really exciting to see in a titanium watch, and all the more impressive when held side by side with a steel version, revealing not only how much lighter the titanium version is, but how no corners were cut on the case work.
The watch runs on the GP03300-0141 automatic chronograph caliber, which provides 46 hours of power reserve when fully wound. Its relatively slender height of just 6.5mm allows the case to keep a similarly slim profile, even while maintaining a 100 meter water resistance rating.
The new Girard-Perregaux Chronograph Ti49 carries a retail price of $19,400. More information at the Girard-Perregaux website here.
