Sponsored by Girard-Perregaux & WEMPE
Girard-Perregaux Arrives at WEMPE Fifth Avenue, Hands-On and Availability
The full collection of the La Chaux-de-Fonds based watchmaker has arrived at WEMPE’s Fifth Avenue boutique. Watchonista had the opportunity to get hands-on with a number of the pieces including the ever popular Laureato.
By Watchonista
When Ruediger Albers, President of WEMPE USA invited us to view what he called “a new brand addition to our collection”, we were certainly intrigued. After all, when WEMPE does anything, they tend to go above and beyond.
When we arrived to WEMPE’s boutique at 55th and Fifth Avenue (700 Fifth Avenue to be precise), we were welcomed by a replicate of Sinclair Hardin’s H1 Sea Clock, an amazing ¾ version of the famed original marine chronometer. Fitting, being that we were about to discover a whole different kind of chronometer. The legendary brand Girard-Perregaux.
About Girard-Perregaux
Founded in 1791 by Jean-François Bautte, Girard-Perregaux has made a name for themselves producing a wide range of men’s and women’s wristwatches and highly complicated haute horology pieces. Girard-Perregaux is indeed a manufacture first, producing movements, cases, metal bands, and much more.
From a design standpoint, Girard-Perregaux draws much of its inspiration from a nearly 250 years of near continuous production. The craftsmanship and design aesthetics of now ancient pocket watches and some of the world’s first wristwatches are now brought to life via modern techniques and production capabilities. A very fitting addition to the established retailer WEMPE.
The Laureato
Arguably the centerpiece of Girard-Perregaux’s collection, the Laureato lineup has an identifiable look and a wide range of options. Since its introduction in 1975, during the race to create the world’s first luxury steel sport watch, the Laureato has captivated collectors young and old.
More recently, the brand has further evolved the Laureato with the addition of exciting new materials like black and/or white ceramic. In addition, a slew of new colors has been added to bring this collection to life. From a summertime purple to a vibrant blue, there is a Laureato for everyone. More succinctly, there is a Laureato on display at WEMPE for everyone!
For this article, Watchonista had the opportunity to go hands-on with a selection of Girard-Perregaux’s 2018 novelties. The stunning panda dial Laureato chronographs offer distinction in two sizes, 42 or 38mm. The case can be made that the 38mm piece can alternatively be used as a unisex chronograph.
A perennial favorite of the Watchonista office is the Laureato in black ceramic. It’s amazingly light and offers a value proposition that leaves nearly every other ceramic encased watch in its wake. Its 42mm case is an attractive size, but for those with smaller wrist or female collectors, a 38mm size is also available. At this time, the brand only offers the white ceramic with a diamond bezel, but surely with collector demand a white (no diamonds) edition could surface.
Offering case sizes from 34 to 43mm, the Girard-Perregaux Laureato collection is an enticing offer for a wide range of watch lovers. It’s worth noting that some very serious watchmaking is occurring within the walls of the brand’s La Chaux-de-Fonds manufacture. From flying tourbillon to skeletonized ceramics, the Laureato collection impresses at every turn.
More importantly, a most impressive range of Laureato is now available at WEMPE’s Fifth Avenue boutique!
The Girard-Perregaux Collections Available at WEMPE Fifth Avenue
WEMPE carries the entire line of Girard-Perregaux timepieces. From majestic three bridges tourbillons to the vintage inspired 1966 collection, you can view the brand’s novelties at WEMPE Fifth Avenue. Whether you’re a collector of modern watchmaking or an admirer of vintage inspired heritage pieces, WEMPE will have a Girard-Perregaux that captivates you.
(Photography by Liam O’Donnell)
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, Editor-At-Large
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