British marque Aston Martin and Swiss watch manufacturer Girard-Perregaux continue to push the pedal, with their latest collaboration marking the first time the latter has produced a fully ceramic Laureto. Fusing timeless aesthetics with contemporary materials, the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Green Ceramic Aston Martin Edition sees the Swiss watch manufacturer’s seminal timepiece adapted for the modern era.
Making its debut in 1975, the Laureato (which translates to ‘graduate’) was Girard-Perregaux’s answer to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus. The original model featured an octagonal bezel atop a tonneau case, presented on an integrated bracelet as was befitting of the time. The Girard-Perregaux Laureato Green Ceramic Aston Martin Edition retains the appearance of the original, reimagining it in ceramic.
Like the inaugural Girard-Perregaux x Aston Martin timepiece released in 2021, this iteration is also bathed in British Racing Green. The hue originates in the early 1900s, when car colours were used to differentiate between the nationality of the teams: French cars were blue, Italian cars were red, Belgian cars were yellow, German cars were silver, and British cars were — naturally — British Racing Green. The shade has been used on Aston Martin cars to this day and is emblematic of performance and success.
Employing ultra-modern materials, the Laureato Green Ceramic Aston Martin Edition is crafted from ceramic which is made from zirconium oxide and metallic oxides, with the latter lending the material its distinctive green hue. The zirconium oxide used is composed of a fine powder made of microbeads, ensuring the case and bracelet take on a smooth, homogenous appearance. This quality enables the ceramic to be finished with a combination of polished and satin-brushed surfaces; a quality that runs across the Laureato line. The hardness of the ceramic components prevents surfaces from scratching, while the nature of the materials means the Laureato Green Ceramic Aston Martin Edition won’t age or fade as the years pass.
In addition to the colour of choice, other elements of the timepiece are inspired by the British marque. The lightweight construction of Aston Martin vehicles influenced the skeletonised baton hour and minute hands, while the cross-hatch design on the dial reflects the diamond-like quilted pattern found on the seats of the marque’s cars as well as on the AM logo from 1921 to 1926.
Available in 42mm and 38mm case sizes — with limited runs of 388 and 188 examples, respectively — each Girard-Perregaux Laureato Green Ceramic Aston Martin Edition is fitted with an exhibition caseback, revealing the calibre GP01800 (54-hour power reserve) in the 42mm and calibre GP03300 (46-hour power reserve) in the 38mm. The casebacks of both models are emblazoned with the Aston Martin logo.
Both models are available in Australia exclusively via local watch retailer The Hour Glass.
Words by John Deckard
