Thus attired, the iconic Girard-Perregaux casual chic skeleton-worked watch is also establishing itself in the world of black… while preserving the transparent side of its nature. While the Laureato Skeleton is thereby taking a walk on the dark side, solely with a view to further enhancing its charisma and its strong presence, it still allows light to flood through its exceptional openworked movement. The Laureato Skeleton Ceramic thereby once again demonstrates the strength and relevance of the Girard-Perregaux design, capable of multiple mutations through time in terms of both size and materials.

The Laureato has a personality all its own. Its genetic code drives evolutions in various details of its appearance, while never distorting its essence. The Laureato is defined by a polished octagonal bezel fitted on an integrated case, meaning with no lugs or loops. The use of ceramics further accentuates its ergonomic qualities. This noble technical material is at once light, virtually scratchproof and extremely well tolerated by the skin. Its extreme hardness nonetheless makes it a material that is extremely hard to shape, especially when it comes to following the complex volumes of the Laureato. Despite the challenges, Girard-Perregaux chose to carve out the octagonal bezel and the shape of the bracelet links from a solid block of material, as well as to give them the required textures.

As a horological icon, Laureato continues playing with contemporary codes. An architectural watch right the way through to the curves of its eminently visible movement, it adopts this new material like an extension of its inherent nature. It absorbs the structural and ergonomic benefits of ceramic and applies them to the service of wearer comfort. The absolute fashion colour and a must-have for professional watches, black suits the Laureato as if were born that way…

The all-black surfaces of the solid Laureato Skeleton Ceramic are alternately polished and satin-brushed. This play on textures begins on the case and extends to the likewise ceramic bracelet. The new Laureato Skeleton Ceramic is thus not uniformly dark. It continues to play with light thanks to its surface effects, including that of its Clou de Paris hobnail-patterned dial. This mastery of lighting is also a key feature of the movement.

Its entirely skeletonised self-winding calibre is airy yet perfectly robust. It draws its strength from its transparency, which is reinforced by the rotor of the Laureato Skeleton Ceramic. Carved from a block of 18K pink gold, it has been meticulously openworked like the rest of the movement. This component that normally covers what lies beneath it thus allows light to pour through the watch, like a stained glass window, punctuated by the warm detailing provided by the rotor and the balance wheel.

The curves of this skeleton movement are adorned with chamfering that accentuates their edges, hand-crafted by the qualified artisans of the Manufacture Girard-Perregaux. The remaining surface of the movement is given a black PVD treatment matching the colour of the case and bracelet. It sets the perfect finishing touch to the play on contrasts that enlivens the Laureato Skeleton Ceramic.

In its black livery, the Laureato Skeleton Ceramic explores whole new fields of expression. More understated and more technical, it draws upon the infinite possibilities afforded by ceramics. Girard-Perregaux thus provides a reminder that sporting chic is not merely an expression or an empty phrase. The Laureato Skeleton Ceramic is a sports watch and a chic watch in equal measure. This versatile and enduring horological work of art is a true icon.