Girard-Perregaux Laureato

Girard-Perregaux Laureato 42mm (ref. 81010-11-131-11A) Review

The integrated-bracelet sports watch segment is dominated by two titans: the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the Patek Philippe Nautilus. But for the young collector who wants something with equal horological pedigree, a more accessible price point, and a design that doesn't scream 'look at my wrist,' the Girard-Perregaux Laureato is the quiet contender. The reference 81010-11-131-11A, with its deep blue dial and 42mm stainless steel case, is arguably the most compelling iteration of the modern Laureato line.

History and Heritage

Girard-Perregaux has been making watches since 1791, but the Laureato was born in 1975—a time when the Swiss watch industry was reeling from the quartz crisis. The original Laureato was a bold move: a thin, integrated-bracelet watch with a quartz movement, designed to compete with the Royal Oak (1972) and Nautilus (1976). It featured an octagonal bezel set into a round case, a Clou de Paris hobnail dial, and a seamlessly integrated bracelet. The design was ahead of its time, but it never achieved the same cult status as its rivals.

Fast forward to 2016: Girard-Perregaux revived the Laureato with a full in-house mechanical movement, updated proportions, and a range of dial colors. The 42mm version (ref. 81010) became the flagship, and the blue dial variant quickly became the most sought-after. The brand has since expanded the line with 38mm and 34mm sizes, as well as chronographs and skeletonized models, but the 42mm three-hander remains the purest expression of the original concept.

Movement: GP01800-0008

Under the sapphire caseback beats the GP01800-0008, an in-house automatic caliber developed and assembled by Girard-Perregaux. It's a 28-jewel movement with a 54-hour power reserve, beating at 28,800 vph. It's COSC-certified, meaning it's been tested for accuracy across five positions and two temperatures. The movement features a variable-inertia balance with four gold adjustment screws, a free-sprung hairspring, and a skeletonized oscillating weight with the GP arrow motif.

Finishing is what you'd expect from a manufacture at this price point: circular graining on the mainplate, Côtes de Genève on the bridges, and beveled edges on the bridges. It's not haute horlogerie, but it's clean and attractive. The movement is robust and easy to service, which is a plus for long-term ownership.

Case and Bracelet

The 42mm case is made of 316L stainless steel, with a mix of brushed and polished surfaces. The octagonal bezel is polished, while the case sides and top are brushed. The crown is screw-down, contributing to the 100m water resistance. The case thickness is just 10.68mm, which is remarkably slim for an automatic sports watch with 100m WR. The lug-to-lug is 48.5mm, making it wearable on wrists from 6.5 to 7.5 inches.

The integrated bracelet is a work of art. It tapers from 24mm at the lugs to 18mm at the clasp, with H-shaped links that are brushed on the top and polished on the sides. The folding clasp is secure but basic—it lacks the micro-adjustment found on competitors like the Royal Oak or Alpine Eagle. You get two half-links for sizing, but no on-the-fly adjustment. This is a minor annoyance for a watch in this price range.

Dial and Lume

The blue dial is the star of the show. It features a Clou de Paris (hobnail) pattern that catches light in a thousand different ways, shifting from deep navy to electric blue depending on the angle. The applied hour markers and hands are polished and filled with Super-LumiNova, which glows a bright blue-green in the dark. The date window at 3 o'clock is framed with a polished border, and the white date disc matches the dial nicely. The overall legibility is excellent, and the dial has a depth that makes it feel more expensive than it is.

Wrist Feel and Wearability

On the wrist, the Laureato is a joy. The slim profile means it slides under a dress shirt cuff with ease, while the 100m water resistance makes it suitable for swimming and snorkeling. The bracelet is comfortable, with a slight taper that keeps the watch balanced. The clasp, while basic, is secure and doesn't dig into the wrist. The watch has a substantial presence without being bulky—it's the kind of watch you can wear every day without getting tired of it.

Accuracy and Real-World Performance

In my testing, the Laureato ran at +3 seconds per day, well within COSC spec. The 54-hour power reserve is adequate for a weekend rotation, though some competitors offer 70+ hours. The winding rotor is smooth and quiet, and the crown action is crisp. The movement is reliable and should require minimal adjustment between services.

Investment Value

The Laureato is not a hype watch, and that's a good thing for the buyer. MSRP is $12,500, but pre-owned examples in excellent condition can be found for $8,500 to $11,000. The trend is stable—prices have held steady over the past few years, with slight appreciation for the blue dial variant. Unlike the Royal Oak, which has seen massive price inflation, the Laureato offers a more rational entry point into the integrated sports watch category. If you buy pre-owned at the right price, you can expect to wear it for a few years and sell it for roughly what you paid, assuming you keep it in good condition.

Service and Maintenance

Girard-Perregaux recommends service every 5 years. An authorized service center will charge around $800 for a full overhaul, including cleaning, oiling, and replacement of worn parts. Independent watchmakers can service the GP01800 caliber for less, but using an authorized center ensures that the movement is properly finished and that any replacement parts are genuine. The movement is well-designed and should be reliable for decades with proper care.

Pros and Cons

• Pros: In-house COSC movement, slim profile, comfortable bracelet, beautiful blue dial, 100m water resistance.
• Cons: Clasp lacks micro-adjustment, resale value lags behind competitors, not as recognizable as Royal Oak or Nautilus.

Final Verdict

The Girard-Perregaux Laureato 81010-11-131-11A is a watch for the collector who values substance over hype. It offers a genuine in-house movement, a design that has aged gracefully, and a wearability that rivals the best in the category. For the trust-fund-baby buyer who wants a daily-wear sports watch without the AD games and premium markups, the Laureato is a smart, understated choice. Buy it pre-owned, wear it with confidence, and let the market catch up.