Girard-Perregaux's New Edge

Introduced in 1975, Girard-Perregaux’s Laureato has seen a surge in demand among lovers of steel sports watches and a trio of stylish new references makes clear why.

- Victoria Gomelsky

OF THE DESIGN trends that have shaped the luxury watch industry in recent years, none has rivalled, or even challenged, the vogue for steel sports watches – especially those with a heritage from the 1960s and 1970s.

That subgenre is typically marked by integrated bracelets, distinctive silhouettes and a pared-down elegance associated with Gérald Genta, the Swiss watch designer who penned the era’s most iconic models, including Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak and Patek Philippe’s Nautilus, a pair now even more scarce than they are soughtafter, with numerous references still commanding two or even three times retail value on secondary channels.

That supply-demand imbalance has created a trickle-down phenomenon in which watches with a similar look and heritage are now seeing a surge in interest. Chief among them: GirardPerregaux’s Laureato.