Co-branding is a sensitive topic for a lot of watch fanatics. It’s straightforward to create one thing that feels overblown or cynically business when combining two completely different manufacturers’ design languages, and plenty of manufacturers are inclined to over-design in an try and maintain either side of a collaboration represented. With this in thoughts, Girard-Perregaux has a tough process. Its ongoing partnership with Aston Martin has developed a collection of bolder sports activities watches that seize the spirit of the British automaker’s System One workforce, however paying tribute to the model’s legendary street vehicles is a wholly completely different problem. To seize Aston Martin’s twin status for British magnificence and wild efficiency, Girard-Perregaux’s strategy is twofold. On one hand, the brand new restricted version Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Version is gentle, trendy, and tastefully restrained, with a minimal of seen branding and a refined presence on the wrist. With its show-stopping color-shift dial, nevertheless, it’s something however customary in its presentation.
It will not be apparent at first look, however the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Version’s case is rendered in Grade 5 titanium. Relatively than the darkish, aggressive presentation usually related to the steel, the model makes use of a lighter alloy right here, and the give attention to mirror-polished accents retains this piece visually near its stainless-steel brethren. Nevertheless, the lighter total weight provides the 42mm vast, 12.16mm thick case an impressively comfy sporting expertise, particularly as soon as the wraparound impact of the downturned lugs is factored in. The general kind is pure traditional Laureato, with the road’s signature terraced octagonal and round bezel design, flowing higher case surfaces, and built-in lugs all current and accounted for. As ordinary, what actually units the Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Version aside from its opponents is Girard-Perregaux’s stellar ending work.
The transition between every case floor is razor-sharp, and the refined number of finishes provides this design exemplary gentle play. For example, this case transitions between three distinct sorts of brushing – radial for the highest floor of the octagonal bezel, customary linear for the case sides, and deep, textured, and strikingly unorthodox horizontal brushing throughout the highest of the primary case physique and built-in lugs. Every of those brushed surfaces is separated by a very black-polished, superbly reflective chamfer, whereas the perimeters of the octagonal bezel and its decrease round layer add much more sharpening for a way of gem-like brilliance on the wrist. With that stated, the thematically designed octagonal screwdown pushers are certain to trigger some controversy right here. Whereas the octagonal kind ties in handsomely with the remainder of the design, the necessity for cumbersome, time-consuming screw-down pushers to achieve a comparatively gentle 100 meters of water resistance is a contact embarrassing in 2025. Round again, the watch is completed with a sapphire show caseback, that includes a reflective appliqué of the Aston Martin emblem (the one express Aston Martin branding anyplace on the design).
After all, the actual centerpiece of the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Version is its spectacular color-shifting dial. The “harlequin” paint used right here has been an unique possibility within the customized automotive scene because the late Nineteen Nineties (with occasional OEM appearances via manufacturers like TVR or the “Mystichrome” 2004 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra), however this complicated, labor-intensive paint course of has by no means earlier than made its manner into horology. Made up of 15 particular person ultra-thin layers of paint, this dramatic metallic end transitions from a wealthy, heat gold hue when considered straight-on to a light-weight, charismatic sage inexperienced at indirect angles, shifting to an nearly robin’s egg blue at extra excessive angles. The impact is frankly mesmerizing on the wrist, though a few of the transitional shades between colours can come off as lower than flattering in sure lighting circumstances. It’s additionally fascinating to notice that the inexperienced tone Girard-Perregaux opts for right here is way faraway from Aston Martin’s darkish, blue-shifted tackle British Racing Inexperienced, as a substitute cleaving nearer to an olive tone.
Whereas the remainder of the dial structure is easy to maintain give attention to the primary dial floor, it’s nonetheless removed from plain. The broad handset is partially skeletonized and darkish grey PVD-coated, which, based on the model, is supposed to evoke the signature grille form utilized by Aston Martin because the Fifties. As a lifelong automotive fanatic, I’m not seeing it, however it’s not an unattractive hand design, and it really works properly with the beveled, sloping hour indices. However, the prominently brushed central chronograph seconds hand sports activities the watch’s solely outward-facing direct Aston Martin nod, with a counterweight formed just like the model’s traditional signature fender vents. At a look, it’s straightforward to imagine that the PVD-coated, radially brushed rings forming the subdial scales are the one parts of the subdials right here, however shut inspection is rewarded with gentle, finely executed azurage for every of the middle segments. As with the case, it’s this high quality consideration to element in ending that basically provides this watch an edge. Even the at all times divisive 4:30 date window is meticulously completed, with a subtly trapezoidal define, a cultured body, and a date wheel that sports activities the identical grey PVD coloration and radial brushing because the subdial rings for a unified look.
Girard-Perregaux powers the Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Version with its in-house GP03300-2451 automated chronograph motion. On the efficiency entrance, the GP03300 is strong if uninspiring at this value level, with a 46-hour energy reserve at a 28,800 bph beat charge. As with the outside, it’s the ending the place the GP03300-2451 actually shines. Perlage for the mainplate, blued screws, polished anglage, gold-filled engraved textual content, crisp Côtes de Genève for the bridges and steadiness cock, and round Côtes de Genève on the rotor mix to provide this motion a classically good-looking look via the caseback.
As with every different built-in sports activities watch, a lot of the character of the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Version rides on its bracelet. Crafted in light-hued Grade 5 titanium to match the case, this can be a crisp, angular tackle the acquainted H-link Laureato bracelet components, with broad polished middle hyperlinks, steady chamfers alongside the outer hyperlink edges, and hanging horizontal brushing atop the H-links for a way of visible continuity with the case. It’s a contemporary, comfy, and tremendously executed bracelet for this design, and it really works to keep up the watch’s gentle and satisfying really feel on the wrist.
Making a co-branded watch that recognizably honors either side of the collaboration whereas remaining visually balanced is not any small design feat, and it’s commonplace for watchmakers to over-emphasize the accomplice model to the detriment of the general watch. With the limited-edition Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Version, the model opts for an unlikely mix of restraint and wild visible maximalism, permitting the Aston Martin collaboration a way of quiet confidence whereas bringing down the home with its shock-and-awe color-shift dial remedy. Solely 188 examples of the watch will likely be made, and the watch is out there now via approved sellers. MSRP for the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Version stands at $22,700 USD as of press time. For extra info, please go to the model’s web site.
