One of the earliest models in the so-called luxury sports watch category, the Girard-Perregaux Laureato, was released in 1975 and powered by a quartz movement. In 1984, mechanical movements found their way into this original barrel-shaped watch, and this has become the norm since the return of the watch in 2016. Now an established collection with countless variations and colours, the Girard-Perregaux Laureato range extends once more this year with the addition of two original colours – sage green and ultramarine blue – inside luxurious pink gold cases.?The design of the Laureato was set in stone back in 1975, making it one of the earliest members of the highly regarded luxury sports watch category – and while it came after the all-important Royal Oak (1972), it predates three other icons, the Patek Nautilus (1976), the IWC Ingenieur (1976) and the Vacheron 222 (1977). A classic of the genre, the Laureato was built around a shaped case with an integrated bracelet. The raised octagonal bezel, placed on top of a circular plinth, added depth and originality to the angular tonneau-shaped case. This signature shape was the defining element of the 1975 version and has been faithfully revived in 2016 and 2017 for the return of this emblematic model. Ad - Scroll to continue with article The cornerstone of the collection, all three new references are based on the 42mm automatic time-and-date version – note that the 38mm edition of the Laureato automatic also works well for men and women. As such, we’re looking at rather sizeable models, specifically with the choice of 18k pink gold as the main material – necessarily adding to the visual presence and weight on the wrist. That being said, the Laureato does a great job of hiding its size thanks to a nicely curved profile. The case is mostly brushed with the necessary polished accents to highlight the complex shapes of the collection. Sapphire crystals are used on both sides, and the water-resistance is rated at 50m – sufficient but not exceptional. Whatever the version, all three new Laureato 42mm Pink Gold versions have a stamped “clous de Paris” motif on the dial, with a satin-finished minute ring. Classic for the collection, the hands and applied makers (gold-plated) have a distinctive arrow shape. Thanks to the specific movement of this 42mm version, the date window is nicely positioned at the edge of the dial – and, to make it even better, the date disc matches the colour of the dial. Girard-Perregaux brings two new choices this year. First is a “sage green” tone, which felt surprising on paper when paired with rose gold but works rather nicely in the metal. The other option is a classic of the luxury sports watch category: blue. To be precise, GP went for ultramarine blue, a colour close to lapis lazuli. It offers a nice contrast with the warm tone of the case.Either way, these new GP are powered by the in-house calibre GP1800, a refined automatic movement with 4Hz frequency and 54h power reserve. The sapphire back reveals a nice decoration, with a pink gold rotor, circular graining on the main plate, bevelled bridges with Geneva stripes and circular stripes on the rotor.The sage green and ultramarine blue versions can be ordered on a matching gold bracelet with H-shaped links and brushed and polished surfaces. The blue edition can also be fitted with a blue alligator strap with a folding buckle. Available immediately from retailers and boutiques and part of the permanent collection, the new Girard-Perregaux Laureato 42mm models retail for EUR 54,700 or CHF 49,700 on a gold bracelet, and EUR 37,300 or CHF 33,900 on a leather strap. For more details, please visit www.girard-perregaux.com.