The Swiss watchmaker Girard-Perregaux turns 227 years old this year. Don’t, however, let that detail fool you into thinking the brand is content to rest on its impressively long legacy. One of its signature timepieces, the Laureato, debuted in the 1970s to great fanfare and continues to evolve in contemporary directions that may surprise longtime fans of the classic firm.
Exhibit A: The 2018 Laureato Summer Edition, whose five models—available in 38 mm or 34 mm versions, powered by a mechanical self-winding or quartz movement—come in a vibrant color palette that’s anything but staid.
Defined by its trademark octagonal bezel (an ode to Italian architecture), the Laureato was a sporty sensation when it was presented some 40 years ago. In 2016, Girard-Perregaux reintroduced the collection as a limited series to coincide with its 225th anniversary celebration. That paved the way for this year’s infusion of color.
The 38 mm model is available in shades of blue, purple, and yellow, while the 34 mm model comes in a candy-pink or sea green hue. Both feature a diamond-set bezel and are limited to 75 pieces each, fitted with a stainless steel bracelet or a rubber strap in the same shade as the dial. Color us obsessed!
$14,400 on rubber strap, $15,200 on steel bracelet; girard-perregaux.com
