This Iconic ’70s Royal Oak Contender Gets a Mesmerizing, Minimalist Update

The Girard-Perregaux Laureato celebrates its 50th birthday with a hypnotic take on its integrated bracelet sports watch.

Girard-Perregaux Laureato Grey Enamel Flinque Sunray Sport Watch dial closeup

By Sean Tirman

Published June 23, 2025

·

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

In 1975, Gerrard-Perregaux first released the Laureato, a watch that would become the brand’s all-time best-seller. As one of the true contemporaries of the iconic Royal Oak — which came out just three years earlier — this is one of the watches that would, eventually, usher in the luxury sports watch trend.

Now in its 50th year, this stunning integrated bracelet timepiece still has a lot of ground left to cover. And if its most recent entry, the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Grey Enamel Flinqué Sunray, is any indication, it’s just getting started.

Girard-Perregaux Laureato Grey Enamel Flinque Sunray Sport Watch — Going strong for 50 years, the Laureato just keeps getting better.

Retooled beauty

This edition of GP’s Laureato contains a couple of significant alterations. One is obvious, but you might miss the other if you’re not already looking for it.

The obvious one is the dial. The mesmerizing, multifaceted edition is the work of Donzé Cadrans, a master enameller from Sowind Group (the same conglomerate to which Gerrard-Perregeaux belongs).

Called Grand Feu enamel, the dial sports an intricate “flinqué sunray motif,” which combines guilloché engraving with translucent enamel. It hinges on a remarkably intricate (and labor-intensive) combination of artistry that marks the highlight of this particular watch.

The less noticeable change is that the dial has been minimized even more to let the enamel do the talking. While the watch already lacked alphanumeric markings (in favor of simple rhodium-plated indices, which match the brand logo), its minute scale has also been deleted.

Girard-Perregaux Laureato Grey Enamel Flinque Sunray Sport Watch caseback — The watch’s caliber GP01800 movement is entirely designed, produced, assembled and adjusted by Girard-Perregaux.

Enter the octagon

While the dial is the clear highlight of this new take on the Laureato, it’s far from the only exceptional factor. Hidden (so to speak, as a quick flip reveals a sapphire exhibition caseback) inside its 42mm tonneau-shaped case is a remarkable house-made movement.

The caliber GP01800 is fully automatic and incredibly thin, measuring just 3.97mm deep. Yet it still boasts a 4Hz frequency and an impressive 54-hour power reserve.

The case is finished with a horizontal brushed surface and bevelled edges, a polished plinth (upon which sits its signature octagonal bezel) and the whole thing is finished with an integrated bracelet.

To maintain the watch’s appearance and overall purity, none of the markers have applied luminescence. This is a true dress watch in the strictest sense.

Girard-Perregaux Laureato Grey Enamel Flinque Sunray Sport Watch on table with paintbrush and enamel — The craftsmanship of this watch’s dial is unrivaled.

Pricing and availability

The Girard-Perregaux Laureato Grey Enamel Flinqué Sunray sport watch is now available through select retailers. However, it’s not for the faint of heart — the price is set at $17,900 apiece.