Car Watch – Girard Perregaux And Aston Martin Create Exclusive Timepiece
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Luxury Swiss watchmaker Girard Perregaux can date its origins back to 1791. As the Apple iWatch dominates the watch market (over 100M sold and counting) the days of mechanical watches appear to be drawing to an end. If technology continues at its current rate of development and advancement, perhaps one day we will have brain implants that will project the time directly into our line of sight. However, no matter how advanced technology becomes, a Swiss mechanical timepiece is masterful engineering at a micro-level. As complex as a high-performance combustion engine. The worlds of luxury timepieces and luxury performance cars are, in many ways, one of the same. Girard Perregaux is at the top end of mechanical watchmaking. No iWatch can ever compare to a Swiss mechanical movement, they are a thing of beauty to behold and own. That’s why you want to own these watches because the engineering integrity is a sign of the highest quality.

The reasons mentioned above is why Aston Martin has formed a partnership with Girard Perregaux. And the partnership has created an exclusive timepiece, the Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Edition. Collectively, the two companies have over 330 years of amassed know-how, something that is evident when appraising both firms’ creations.

The Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Edition dial references “Aston Martin Green”, achieved by painstakingly applying paint twenty-one times to the dial, forming seven distinct layers of paint as a result.

The automotive influences also encompass cross-hatching, a diamond-like pattern first seen with the ultra-luxury car manufacturer’s ‘AM’ logo (1921 – 1926). This motif was also inspired by the quilted seats found in the British brand’s numerous high-performance sports cars.

Three counters grace the dial, two chronograph registers and a small seconds display. Each counter features a partially openworked hand, perpetuating the design of the hour and minute hands. The central section of each counter is snailed. A date display is positioned at 04:30, completing the inventory of functions.

Sporting an octagonal bezel, the profile of this model honours the watch brand’s iconic Laureato of 1975. Upholding Girard-Perregaux’s design philosophy, the case masterfully plays with different shapes. Moreover, the numerous curves, facets and lines, along with satin-finished and polished edges, collaborate, delivering a wonderful play with light.

A pane of sapphire crystal, positioned to the rear of the watch, affords sight of the automatic, Manufacture movement, the Calibre GP03300-0141, marking the first time a Laureato Chronograph features an open caseback.

This movement, based on the highly regarded Calibre GP03300, is endowed with Côtes de Genève, in both circular and straight forms, polished sinks, thermally blued screws and perlage. The movement also bears the eagle emblem, signifying it is an in-house calibre.

The Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Edition, a limited edition of 188 pieces, is immediately available worldwide in all authorised Girard-Perregaux retailers at a cost of $18,000.

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