Fifty years ago, the world of horology shifted on its axis when Girard-Perregaux unveiled the Laureato, a timepiece that would mark one of the major chapters in the history of contemporary watchmaking. It was 1975, a time of bold silhouettes and changing definitions of elegance, and this timepiece arrived not as a reaction to the era's trends but as a definitive trendsetter in its own right. Now, in the anniversary year of 2025, the Maison celebrates its half-century with a dual release that feels less like a reissue and more like a manifesto of enduring style. The brand is paying vibrant tribute to the past while projecting itself into the future with the Laureato Fifty and the breathtaking Laureato Three Gold Bridges.

The design philosophy of the Laureato has always favored precision and balance over the aggressive angles of its contemporaries. For the collector seeking the quintessential Laureato experience, the new Laureato Fifty is a limited edition of just 200 pieces that explores the nobility of contrasting materials through a stunning marriage of steel and 3N yellow gold. This bicolor combination evokes the glamour of the first model from 1975 yet possesses a sharpened contemporary edge. Housed in a refined 39mm case that sits a slender 9.8mm against the wrist, the tonneau case has been reworked with pronounced bevels to allow for an even smoother integration of the bracelet. Light plays across the iconic octagonal bezel which alternates between satin and polished finishes in a display of sophisticated craftsmanship.

Beneath the flat anti-reflective sapphire crystal of the Laureato Fifty lies a deep sunray grey dial decorated with a meticulous Clous de Paris pattern. This textured surface is elevated by indexes and hands that match the 3N gold of the case to create a visual harmony that speaks to absolute respect for the codes of Haute Horlogerie. The central seconds hand is balanced by a counterweight shaped like a double arrow while the date display at 3 o'clock is presented on a disc that matches the dial color. While the exterior is a tribute to seventies design, the interior is a marvel of modern engineering featuring the new Calibre GP4800 which is visible through the transparent case-back.

If the Laureato Fifty is a study in retro-chic elegance, the Laureato Three Gold Bridges is a masterpiece of architectural transparency limited to just fifty pieces. This 41mm timepiece unites two of the brand's most enduring signatures by merging the octagonal bezel of the Laureato with the legendary Three Bridges design first introduced in 1867. The watch abandons a traditional dial to reveal the new in-house Calibre GP9620 where three white gold openworked bridges form the visual and functional backbone of the piece. The movement is a living mechanical sculpture that features a platinum micro-rotor ingeniously positioned behind the barrel and a titanium lyre-shaped tourbillon cage that counters the effects of gravity.

The level of finishing on the Three Gold Bridges is nothing short of obsessive. The movement displays 418 hand-polished angles, including 362 inward angles, which stands as a breathtaking artistic achievement. For those requiring ultimate brilliance, Girard-Perregaux also offers an unlimited version set with 32 baguette-cut diamonds totaling approximately 3.2 carats. These stones are secured using an invisible setting technique within a custom-made bezel that subtly widens towards the corners to accommodate the variation in stone sizes.

Both timepieces feature the Maison's celebrated integrated bracelet which flows seamlessly from the case. The steel H-links taper gracefully toward the clasp while the slightly domed central links add a layer of volumetric complexity that plays with the light. It is as comfortable as it is beautiful because it features a hidden fine adjustment system that allows the bracelet to be precisely loosened or tightened by 4mm. The Laureato Fifty will be available from October 2025, followed by the Laureato Three Gold Bridges on November 19, 2025. These creations confirm that for Girard-Perregaux, true luxury is defined by a legacy that has survived the decades without ever going out of fashion.