The seventh edition of the collaboration between Girard-Perregaux and Aston Martin captures the essence of both supercar engineering and haute horlogerie, blending clean lines with technical mastery.
The latest collaboration between Girard-Perregaux and Aston Martin has created a new timepiece that celebrates the dialogue between power and precision. The collaboration between these two power-houses began in as early as 2021, when Girard-Perregaux aligned itself with both the Aston Martin road car brand and also the Aston Martin Formula One Team. Since then, this partnership has been quite successful, producing 6 incredible timepieces.
“Aston Martin and Girard-Perregaux are instantly recognizable in their respective universes. What makes both brands so unique is their pure elegance, sportiness, and design codes that remain consistent over time”.
Mr. Marc Michel-Amadry, Managing Director at
Girard-Perregaux.
The previous six timepieces that were produced were nothing short of beautiful creations. Ranging from tourbillons, chronographs, and ceramic models to Girard-Perregaux’s unique Neo-Bridges design, these timepieces showcase expertise in materials, precision mechanisms, and aesthetic beauty, all elements that identify Aston Martin.
One of my personal favourite releases from this collaborative project is the Laureato Absolute Chronograph AM F1 Edition, released in 2022. This timepiece brought together two world firsts in watchmaking: micro-mechanics and the extreme performance of Formula One. The aesthetic beauty of the cutting-edge carbon fibre case and the Aston Martin-inspired dial made this a stunning timepiece for the wrist.
Now, for the seventh collaborative project between Girard-Perregaux and Aston Martin, a skeletonised timepiece is being released, offering a different aesthetic compared to the previous editions. The idea for the skeletonised framework was taken from Aston Martin’s supercars, which have an instantly recongnisable design, one that undeniably reflects the clean lines and proportions, ensuring every element of the car contributes to a visually striking and perfectly proportioned silhouette.
Case Design
The case and bracelet of this latest Laureato Aston Martin edition draw inspirational design cues from the Girard-Perregaux Laureato 1975 model, which featured a tonneau-shaped case alongside the iconic octagonal bezel on a circular base design. The Swiss watchmaker opted to use ceramic as the material of choice, given that it is seven times harder than steel and very resistant to scratching; it’s a fitting choice for this latest collaboration. The timepieces have various finishes, such as the octagonal bezel with circular satin finishing, while the ceramic case features horizontal satin finishing.
The integrated bracelet blends in seamlessly with the case, while also continuing the horizontal satin finish of the case. The central links have a polished finish, which, with the ceramic material, creates a refined play of light that shifts beautifully with every movement of the wrist. This contrast between satin and polished finishes enhances the watch’s sense of depth and luxury, while the ceramic itself ensures remarkable durability and scratch resistance.
Dial Design
The skeletonised framework of the movement is one that already exists in the Laureato skeleton collection; however, it coincidentally also reflects the beautiful curves and lines of the Aston Martin cars. The golden hues of the balance wheel sitting at the 12 o’clock hour marker give a beautiful touch of colour in the sea of black and deep green surrounding it. The hour indices are connected to the minute track, with half of the marker appearing suspended over the dial, adding to the visual “depth” of the timepiece. What I do like about the execution of the indices and the skeletonised hands is that by using Aston Martin Formula One team’s signature Racing Green colour, along with the lighter green for the lume coating, it makes dial readability easier. Among the gear train, balance wheel and the mainspring barrel, there is also a small central seconds hand. Everything has been carefully designed to ensure that readability is retained, while showcasing as much of the movement underneath as possible.
Movement
The engine roaring inside the Laureato Skeleton Aston Martin Edition is Girard-Perregaux’s in-house GP01800 calibre movement. Building on the brand’s 230 years of watchmaking expertise, the GP01800 movement showcases 55 hand-crafted internal angles, showcasing true watchmaking artistry. Equipped with a variable inertia balance, the movement ensures enhanced shock resistance and long-term reliability while operating at a high precision rate of 4Hz (28,800 VpH) and offering 54 hours of power reserve.
Matching the movement’s skeletonised framework from the dial side, the caseback offers refined finishing techniques as well, which include: bevelling, sandblasting, traits-tirés, and circular satin, all executed by hand. The solid gold winding rotor, which has been skeletonised and created in the same curved patterns as the dial framework, is executed in the same Aston Martin Racing Green tones as the hands and indices.
Initial Thoughts
This latest Girard-Perregaux Laureato Skeleton Aston Martin Edition feels like a natural progression in this ongoing collaboration, which now offers a fresh new aesthetic that sets it apart from the previous six releases. Where the previous editions leaned on colour, material innovation, or motorsport inspiration, this skeletonised version takes a different approach, by visually echoing the design language of the Aston Martin supercars onto the pre-existing movement framework. Every element of the skeletonised framework has a purpose, and every curve contributes to the beautiful aesthetic of the timepiece.
Girard-Perregaux has been able to balance the dual personality of the timepiece well. The skeletonisation of the dial highlights the technical artistry without compromising the readability of the watch, while the green accents firmly showcase the ties to Aston Martin’s racing identity. The use of ceramic for the case and bracelet ensures that the timepiece is technical, luxurious, and beautiful, much like the Aston Martin cars. This seventh collaboration continues the story between Girard-Perregaux and Aston Martin in a way that shows how both Maisons are willing to push boundaries and integrate tradition in ways that feel authentic to their shared DNA.
Specification: Girard-Perregaux Laureato Skeleton Aston Martin Edition (Ref. 81015-32-3538-32a)
- Dimensions: 42mm x 11.13mm thick
- Case Material: Black ceramic case with polished and satin-brushed surfaces
- Dial: Black skeletonised framework with Aston Martin green hour indices and skeletonised hands. Small-seconds at 10 o’clock.
- Water Resistance: 100m (10 Bar)
- Movement: Automatic GP01800 Calibre
- Movement Power reserve: 54 hours operating at 4Hz (28,800 VpH)
- Crystal: Sapphire with anti-reflective coating
- Bracelet/Strap: Integrated black ceramic case with horizontal satin-brushed and polished links.