There is one anniversary in watchmaking that seems to go on forever. It is that of the Girard-Perregaux Laureato, which in 2025 celebrated its 50th anniversary with the Laureato Fifty. In 2026, the collection also introduced new 39 mm and 36 mm models and which now, for the first time, features an in-house tourbillon. This is the Laureato Fifty Tourbillon Micro Rotor 39 mm, featuring a new, highly elegant calibre – thanks to its architecture, which is built not only around the tourbillon but also around a micro-rotor – unveiled at the Geneva Watch Days 2026.
The new Laureato Fifty Tourbillon Micro Rotor 39 mm embodies the distinctive features of the Laureato collection and Girard-Perregaux’s design language – an octagonal bezel, an integrated bracelet, a Clous de Paris dial, a lyre-shaped tourbillon cage, arrow-shaped bridges, and baton hour markers and hands – and, above all, stands out for its completely redesigned aesthetic.
LAUREATO FIFTY TOURBILLON MICRO ROTOR 39 MM: THE CASE DESIGN
It is precisely this work on the design that we wish to begin with. This was no random endeavour, as the Laureato is renowned for having constantly evolved over time, adapting to tastes, trends, technologies and materials. Following the 50th-anniversary celebrations, the latest generation of the Laureato underwent a subtle yet thorough overhaul in terms of aesthetics and ergonomics, whilst remaining true to its long-standing philosophy. This means an integrated design in which the movement and external components are conceived in harmony and without constraints.
In this regard, the latest generation of the Laureato has introduced new 36, 39 and 41 mm models. The new 39 mm Laureato Fifty Tourbillon Micro Rotor enriches the 39 mm range and is 10 mm thick. These compact proportions meet the growing demand for smaller watches and appeal equally to both men and women.
Specifically, the case silhouette is now more refined. This is evident in the angle between the top of the case and the point where it meets the bracelet, which is now sharper and lends a more modern feel to the overall design, whilst improving the integration with the bracelet – thanks also to a subtle bevel running along the case’s perimeter, extending right up to the bracelet. It is interesting to note that, of the 10 mm total thickness, the central part of the case measures just 5 mm, making it appear even slimmer than its actual thickness. The case tapers towards its ends, ensuring it integrates seamlessly with the first link of the bracelet.
Still on the subject of the case, the bezel’s edge has been enhanced with a new bevelled finish. This polished edge accentuates the octagonal shape, thanks to the contrast it creates with the circular satin-finished surface above, whilst harmonising with the polished ring beneath. The sapphire crystal is flat, as in the original model, which helps to keep the watch’s overall thickness to a minimum. In keeping with the bezel, the case back features a polished rim surrounding a circular central section with a satin-finished surface, embellished with the inscription ‘Laureato’ at 12 o’clock.
The integrated design is completed by the fully octagonal crown, engraved with ‘GP’, which echoes the shape of the bezel. As with other parts of the watch, here too we find an alternation of polished and satin-finished surfaces, with a subtle sandblasted finish in the grooves.
THE DIALS OF THE LAUREATO FIFTY TOURBILLON MICRO ROTOR 39 MM
Naturally, the refinement of the design continues on the dial of the Laureato Fifty Tourbillon Micro Rotor 39 mm. The traditional Clous de Paris motif is retained, created using stamping – a technique that involves pressing a raw base to give it a specific shape. For the Laureato Fifty Tourbillon Micro Rotor 39 mm, Girard-Perregaux has created two dial variants: one in Grand Feu blue enamel, crafted at the Maison’s own Donzé Cadrans manufacture and featuring guilloché work, and one in solid gold, machine-finished. We shall not revisit the craftsmanship behind these dials, as we have already written
Once created, these dials are used as templates for a process that will generate a ‘negative’ of the final dial. This will become the mould against which the production dials will be moulded or pressed. Depending on how the initial reference dial was made and how it was reproduced as a ‘negative’ on the mould, different effects are achieved. The mould based on the guilloché ‘negative’ dial creates a soleil effect, as seen on the blue enamel dial. The mould based on the machine-finished ‘negative’ dial, on the other hand, produces a polished, mirror-like effect, which characterises the gold dial.
The size of the Clous de Paris varies depending on the model: in the version with a blue enamel dial, they measure 1.15 mm; in the gold version, they are smaller, at 0.8 mm, so as to harmonise with the 39 mm models already in the collection. The dial also features the other distinctive traits of the Laureato: the hands and baton hour-markers. The latter are made of rhodium-plated gold, with satin-finished and polished surfaces, and coated with Super-LumiNova.
THE WORK ON THE BRACELET
As we have already seen with the steel and gold Laureato Fifty launched last October, the design work on the Laureato Fifty Tourbillon Micro Rotor 39 mm has also extended to the bracelet. The H-shaped links are flat, whilst the central rectangular links are short, to adapt to any wrist size and improve the fit. As is standard practice in high-end watches with an integrated bracelet, this model also offers millimetre-level adjustment. This is facilitated, inside the clasp, by a sliding mechanism with a two-position push-button. Pressing it and sliding it from position 1 to position 2 extends the bracelet by 2 mm.
This operation can be carried out on one or both sides to lengthen the bracelet by 2 mm or 4 mm respectively. It can then be shortened by pressing the button and sliding it back to position 1. Furthermore, the bracelet features an additional short link, allowing for an initial bespoke adjustment. The top of the clasp features the Bridge logo, which echoes Girard-Perregaux’s arrow-shaped bridges and is also found on the inside of the clasp itself, rendered as an openwork motif. The clasp’s push-buttons echo the octagonal shape of the bezel.
THE GIRARD-PERREGAUX MANUFACTURE CALIBRE GP8410
The Laureato Fifty Tourbillon Micro Rotor 39 mm is powered by the new GP8410 manufacture calibre, conceived, developed and produced in-house at Girard-Perregaux’s workshops in La Chaux-de-Fonds. This is the fourth calibre launched in a single year by the Maison, following the GP4800 which powers the Laureato Fifty, the GP9620 in the gold Laureato Tre Ponti, and the GP9530 in the Minute Repeater Flying Bridges: a true statement of intent from Girard-Perregaux, reaffirming its identity as a Manufacture of movements and design. It is an evolution of the in-house GP8400calibre that powers the Neo Bridges model, and its technical modifications include: the addition of a tourbillon, a slight reduction in the calibre’s diameter, the repositioning of the micro-rotor, the integration of a noise-reduction device in the rotor’s ball bearing, and an increase in the size of the barrel. Its dimensions are fairly compact: 30.40 mm in diameter and 6.10 mm thick. It operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour and offers a 72-hour power reserve.
As the name itself suggests, the watch is characterised by its tourbillon and micro-rotor. Let’s start with thetourbillon, whose lyre-shaped cage comprises 54 parts. It is made of titanium and houses a variable-inertia balance wheel fitted with four solid gold regulating screws and four additional brass inertia blocks. The advantages of the variable-inertia tourbillon are considerable. It is more stable and shock-resistant, which benefits chronometric performance, and allows for precise rate adjustment.
The off-centre micro-rotor offers a full view of the calibre’s architecture, which is as minimalist as it is refined. It is crafted from platinum and rose gold and is mounted on a ball-bearing system incorporating a vibration-damping device. This takes the form of an elastomer ring positioned between the ceramic balls and the screw securing it to the mainplate. Thanks to this mechanism, the winding noise generated by the rotation of the oscillating weight is significantly reduced, whilst shock absorption is improved, thereby preventing wear and tear on the entire system.
The presence of the micro-rotor is therefore particularly effective in showcasing the quality of the finishing throughout the entire movement, in keeping with the tradition of all Girard-Perregaux Grand Complication watches. The exceptionally high standard of decoration is evident on both the visible and hidden surfaces of the calibre. All the bevelled edges of the mainplate, the bridges, the tourbillon cage and the micro-rotor are hand-polished to ensure a smooth, mirror-like finish. And this is no trivial matter, as the GP8410 calibre has a total of 20 internal angles: 10 on the tourbillon bridge and 10 on the micro-rotor.
For example, on the front of the movement, we find hand-finished details on the upper bridge and the tourbillon cage, the mainplate and the minute-wheel bridge. On the back, parts of the barrel bridge and the lower tourbillon bridge, the mainplate, and parts of the micro-rotor are hand-finished. As a testament to the care devoted to every example of the Laureato Fifty Tourbillon Micro Rotor 39 mm, just above the micro-rotor there is a small plaque bearing the initials of the watchmaker who worked on it, and at 6 o’clock is the Girard-Perregaux eagle, which certifies that the calibre was created in-house.
PRICES AND FINAL THOUGHTS
In essence, then, with the Laureato Fifty Tourbillon Micro Rotor 39 mm, Girard-Perregaux is strengthening its range following the celebrations of the collection’s 50th anniversary in 2025. Thanks to the masterful craftsmanship, the fine materials and the horological excellence that set it apart, the Laureato collection continues to evolve while appealing to the refined tastes of enthusiasts.
Furthermore, the two new models offer excellent value for money for those seeking a single-time-zone watch with a tourbillon. The version with a gold dial is priced at 95,100 euros, whilst the one with a blue enamel dial costs 99,600 euros – prices that are lower than those of most competitors. In this respect too, the Laureato captures and embodies the spirit of the times.
By Davide Passoni