Typically offered with a familiar guilloche dial, Girard-Perregaux’s luxury-sports watch has been facelifted with a polished, mineral stone dial. Equipped with glossy, black onyx dial featuring pink-gold hour markers, the Laureato Infinity Edition is a limited edition in two case sizes for men and women respectively.

Initial thoughts

The luxury-sports watch category is populated by many similar watches, driven by the popularity of the Gerald Genta-designed segment leaders, which are arguably the definitive sports watches with integrated bracelets and blue dials.

Few watches manage to differentiate themselves; even the standard Laureato blends in. The Laureato Infinity Edition manages to be different without trying too hard, while also being priced reasonably.

The combination isn’t imaginative but it works well. The dial is a glossy black, matched with contrasting hour markers in pink gold, and markings in powdered-silver print – a combination that is clean, classic, but also different from its peers. The only odd element of the design are the rhodium-plated hands, which are probably highly legible, but don’t match the colour of the hour markers.

Arguably the only weakness are the in-house movements. Both are robust, reliable calibres that have been around for decades, but they lack many of the upgrades found in newer movements, most notably a longer power reserve.

The standard Laureato is already a well priced watch. The Infinity Edition sticks to that formula and costs only 660 francs more than the standard model, making it a no-brainer as an upgrade given the looks and material.

Solid fit and finish

Dial aside, both versions of the Laureato Infinity Edition are identical to the standard model. Slim and elegant in profile, the cases are steel with a brushed finish that’s accented with polished surfaces on the bevelled edges, links and bezel.

The smaller, 38 mm version is available only with a diamond-set bezel, making it a largish, sporty ladies’ watch.

The Laureato Infinity Edition 38 mm

Both versions are powered by in-house movements. The 42 mm model features the GP01800-1404 that has a 54-hour power reserve, while the smaller version contains the GP03300-1409 with a shorter, 46-hour power reserve.

The GP01800-1404 in the 42 mm model

The launch of the Laureato Infinity Edition also marks the start of an “exclusive distribution agreement” with Wempe in Germany. The largest watch retailer in the country, Wempe will now be the store carrying Girard-Perregaux in Germany.

As a result, the new Laureato will be available only at Wempe stores in Germany, New York, and London for two months – September and October 2020 – and subsequently at all retailers worldwide.

Key facts and price

Girard-Perregaux Laureato Infinity Edition
Ref. 81010-11-635-11A (42 mm)

Diameter: 42 mm
Height: 10.7 mm
Material: Steel
Water resistance: 100 m

Movement: GP01800-1404
Features: Hours, minutes, seconds, and date
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 54 hours

Strap: Steel bracelet

Limited edition: 188 pieces
Availability: Only at Wempe stores in September and October 2020, at authorised retailers worldwide after
Price: 12,260 Swiss francs

Girard-Perregaux Laureato Infinity Edition
Ref. 81005D11A631-11A (38 mm)

Diameter: 38 mm
Height: 9.8 mm
Material: Steel
Water resistance: 100 m

Movement: GP0330-1409
Features: Hours, minutes, seconds, and date
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 46 hours

Strap: Steel bracelet

Limited edition: 88 pieces
Availability: Only at Wempe stores in September and October 2020, at authorised retailers worldwide after
Price: 15,600 Swiss francs

For more, visit girard-perregaux.com.