Hands-On with the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Fifty: The Best Laureato Yet
When I first went hands-on with the new Girard-Perregaux Laureato Fifty, I knew right away that this one was different. It feels like a return to the original Laureato’s soul but with the confidence and refinement of a modern GP. The comparison to the Vacheron 222 comes to mind because this watch carries the same kind of quiet pride — a design from the past, reimagined just right. It celebrates 50 years of the Laureato, and after spending time with it, I think this might be the best version yet.
A Brief History of the Laureato
The Laureato first appeared in 1975, right in the middle of the luxury sports watch boom. Girard-Perregaux joined the game not long after Audemars Piguet introduced the Royal Oak and just before the Patek Philippe Nautilus. But the Laureato has always been its own thing. The octagonal bezel, the round base, and the tonneau-shaped midcase gave it a softer, more balanced look compared to its sharper, more industrial peers. It wasn’t loud or aggressive; it was precise and confident.
Over the years, GP has played with the Laureato’s design in many ways — from slim quartz models to sporty chronographs and complicated editions. But the Fifty feels like the first one that truly captures what made the original so good. It respects the past but feels built for today.
Design and Proportions
At 39 millimeters across and 9.8 millimeters thick, the Laureato Fifty sits perfectly on the wrist. It’s neither flashy nor oversized, and that’s what makes it work. The tonneau-shaped case and the mix of steel and yellow gold bring back the warmth and charm of the 1975 model, but the finishing is cleaner and more consistent than before. You can tell Girard-Perregaux took the time to refine every edge and surface.
The grey Clous de Paris dial is where the watch really comes alive. The texture gives it depth without feeling busy, and the applied gold markers and hands look crisp against the soft tone of the dial. There’s a date at three o’clock that blends in perfectly, something small but thoughtful that shows how carefully this watch was designed.
The bracelet is as important as the case, and here it feels better than ever. The links are shorter, which helps it drape smoothly on the wrist, and the central gold links have a soft curve that catches light just right. The new triple folding clasp has a small adjustment system that lets you fine-tune the fit, which I appreciated immediately. It’s the kind of detail you only notice when you live with the watch, and it makes a real difference. Add 150 meters of water resistance, and it’s a piece you can actually wear anywhere.
The New Calibre GP4800
Turning the watch over reveals one of the biggest reasons this release matters: the new Calibre GP4800. When I spoke with Claude-Daniel Proellochs, Girard-Perregaux’s Product Manager, he described the movement as a completely fresh design that had been in the works for years. It’s slim, reliable, and built to power more models in the future — and it shows just how serious GP is about its next chapter.
The specs are strong. The GP4800 is 25.6 millimeters wide, 4.28 millimeters thick, and runs for 55 hours on a full wind. It uses a silicium escapement that makes it more resistant to magnetism and wear while improving long-term precision. The balance has four gold screws for fine regulation, a system that keeps time more consistently and helps protect it from shocks.
Visually, it’s just as impressive. Through the sapphire caseback you can see the 18k gold rotor, openworked to reveal the three-bridge architecture that’s been part of GP’s identity for more than a century. The movement is decorated with ten different hand-applied finishes, from Côtes de Genève to sandblasting and mirror polishing. Even the parts you’ll never see are finished to a high standard. It’s the kind of detail that reminds you why people fall in love with mechanical watches in the first place.
On the Wrist
The Laureato Fifty wears beautifully. The 39mm case feels balanced and natural, and the two-tone finish adds just enough presence without crossing into flash. It’s slim enough to slide under a cuff, but it still has the substance that makes you notice it every time you check the time. The bracelet is comfortable and moves easily with the wrist, and the grey dial gives off a subtle warmth that works in almost any light.
What struck me most was how complete it feels. Some watches have one standout feature; this one doesn’t need that. Everything — the design, the movement, the proportions — works together seamlessly. It’s a watch that feels considered, built by a brand that knows exactly what it wants this collection to represent.
Heritage and Progress
Girard-Perregaux could have played it safe for the Laureato’s 50th anniversary, but they didn’t. The Fifty doesn’t try to copy the past or reinvent it completely. It finds a middle ground that feels authentic. The spirit of the 1975 model is here, but the materials, finishing, and movement make it unmistakably modern.
This is the kind of release that reminds people what Girard-Perregaux can do when it’s focused. It doesn’t shout for attention. It’s confident and thoughtful, the kind of watch that earns appreciation the longer you spend with it.
The Future of Girard-Perregaux
The GP4800 is more than just a new calibre. As Claude-Daniel Proellochs explained, it was built to be a flexible foundation for the brand’s future — a movement that can support complications and different case sizes while maintaining the same precision and visual quality. For Girard-Perregaux, this is a smart move. It builds consistency and gives the brand more freedom to expand without compromising what makes its watches special.
For years, GP has quietly been producing excellent watches, sometimes overlooked next to its more famous peers. The Laureato Fifty feels like the start of a new chapter. It’s a confident reminder that Girard-Perregaux belongs in the same conversation as the best.
Verdict and Final Thoughts
The Girard-Perregaux Laureato Fifty is limited to 200 pieces worldwide and priced at 28,320 USD. It sits among the heavyweights of integrated bracelet watches, but it stands apart because of its character and craftsmanship. It’s not trying to be a Royal Oak or a Nautilus. It’s a Laureato that fully understands what made the original great and carries that forward with confidence.
After spending time with it, I can say without hesitation that this is my favorite Laureato yet. It has the warmth of the 1975 model, the precision of a modern movement, and the quiet pride of a brand that knows exactly where it’s headed next. The Laureato Fifty is not just an anniversary watch. It’s a signal of intent — a statement that Girard-Perregaux is moving forward, not looking back.
