In a rather surprising move, Swiss manufacture Girard-Perregaux has revived the concept of the high-end battery powered quartz watch. As a tribute to the late 1960s, when quartz technology was coveted, and Girard-Perregaux watches housing this revolutionary technology were rare and expensive, the luxury brand synonymous for such mechanical triumphs as the Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges and the various chiming Opera masterpieces now presents a version of its sporty Laureato timepiece housing a brand new in-house Girard-Perregaux quartz movement. Engineered and decorated with the same care as a premium mechanical caliber, this GP13500 movement pays tribute to the manufacture's accomplishment in 1970: bringing one of the highest quality and most technically meritorious Swiss quartz timepieces to a discerning watch-buying clientele.
The Girard-Perregaux Laureato timepiece which houses the GP13500 quartz movement is crafted from stainless steel, and features the distinctive integrated bracelet that the model is famous for. The rich blue dial displays a decorative grid pattern, luminous hands and hour indices, and red accents on the center seconds hand and date wheel. Turning the watch over reveals another feature seldom seen on any quartz timepiece--an exhibition sapphire back. Peering through it, the purchaser of Girard-Perregaux's new quartz marvel can enjoy some very fine craftsmanship and pedigreed movement finishing--finish which leaves no fear of comparison to a self-winding or manually wound mechanical movement of the top tier. The entire surfaces of the GP13500 caliber are lavished with Cotes de Geneve patterns, including the gilt-finished battery cover that is engraved with the Girard-Perregaux initials and symbol. Another unmistakable touch of the exclusive are the multitude of screws showing a deep and even blued finish.
Technically, the quartz crystal of the GP13500 movement resonates at a frequency of 32.768 hertz, a specification that has been standard to all quartz calibers for nearly 40 years. Interestingly, it was Girard-Perregaux's original quartz movement from 1970 which established this frequency--an accomplishment attributable to electronics specialist Georges Vuffray on behalf of the brand. It can be expected that this new GP quartz caliber for 2010 is not only a product of great visual beauty, but one which delivers remarkable precision timekeeping in the tradition of the best quartz movements.
While quartz timepieces may be synonymous with mass production in the eyes of some, Girard-Perregaux has made it very clear that the new battery-animated Laureato watch is anything but. The house will produce just 40 of these special stainless steel Laureato quartz timepieces, a figure that is well under that for even some of the most celebrated complications in the repertoire of mechanical watchmaking. When it becomes available later in the year, the watch will carry a suggested retail price of just over $11,000 (US).
The Girard-Perregaux Laureato timepiece which houses the GP13500 quartz movement is crafted from stainless steel, and features the distinctive integrated bracelet that the model is famous for. The rich blue dial displays a decorative grid pattern, luminous hands and hour indices, and red accents on the center seconds hand and date wheel. Turning the watch over reveals another feature seldom seen on any quartz timepiece--an exhibition sapphire back. Peering through it, the purchaser of Girard-Perregaux's new quartz marvel can enjoy some very fine craftsmanship and pedigreed movement finishing--finish which leaves no fear of comparison to a self-winding or manually wound mechanical movement of the top tier. The entire surfaces of the GP13500 caliber are lavished with Cotes de Geneve patterns, including the gilt-finished battery cover that is engraved with the Girard-Perregaux initials and symbol. Another unmistakable touch of the exclusive are the multitude of screws showing a deep and even blued finish.
Technically, the quartz crystal of the GP13500 movement resonates at a frequency of 32.768 hertz, a specification that has been standard to all quartz calibers for nearly 40 years. Interestingly, it was Girard-Perregaux's original quartz movement from 1970 which established this frequency--an accomplishment attributable to electronics specialist Georges Vuffray on behalf of the brand. It can be expected that this new GP quartz caliber for 2010 is not only a product of great visual beauty, but one which delivers remarkable precision timekeeping in the tradition of the best quartz movements.
While quartz timepieces may be synonymous with mass production in the eyes of some, Girard-Perregaux has made it very clear that the new battery-animated Laureato watch is anything but. The house will produce just 40 of these special stainless steel Laureato quartz timepieces, a figure that is well under that for even some of the most celebrated complications in the repertoire of mechanical watchmaking. When it becomes available later in the year, the watch will carry a suggested retail price of just over $11,000 (US).
