Girard Perregaux

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My first Laureato Evo3 and Quartz ♥️

Friends,

I’m excited to announce a new arrival to my GP collection. A double first for me … a quartz and also my first Laureato Evo3 (Generation 4 of the Laureato).

We have been talking about the pivotal role that GP played in the quartz world.

👉🏼 In 1970 (happens to be the year I was born) GP presented the first Swiss-made quartz wristwatch.

👉🏼 And in 1971, GP went even further and introduced the first quartz wristwatch in the world to be running at 32,768 Hz. Even the Japanese were in awe and licensed this technology from GP to be used in their own watches. It was not only accurate, it was also robust.

👉🏼 We also know that the Laureato was launched by GP to commercial success in 1975 using its in-house quartz technology.

So ….

🦄 In 2010, in a special double anniversary commemorative LE, GP released the Laureato ref 80188 which used the calibre 13500. 40 pieces made in this blue-grey dial and each Individually numbered with their LE number.





























This model was designed by Stefano Macaluso and presented at SIHH in February 2010. 👏

We lost Luigi Macaluso the chairman and owner of GP that same year in October. 😔 The Macaluso family were the owners of GP for about 20 years (1991-2011) and they are attributed for bringing GP to the mainstream collecting world of Haute Horology.

This quartz calibre 13500 was specifically developed for this Limited Edition and was never used for any other GP after. And this is the only quartz timepiece that GP has made in this sort size.

Double anniversary: 40 years for GP quartz (1970-2010) and 35 years for the Laureato (1975-2010). And yes, with a well decorated display caseback and the 32,768 Hz on the dial. I especially like the iconic GP single bridge that runs across the gold battery cover.

I’m excited that a special collector decided that his 80188 would find a good home with me. These are rarely seen on the market. And this collector did not advertise it for sale …. some begging may have been involved on my part. 😄

I love it. ♥️

At 42.6 mm case-diameter and 11.6 mm height, it wears well. Water resistant to 100 meters. The date, seconds hand and the 32768 Hz all in red. Bold. Very bold.

It’s got a lot of character, coupled with definitive provenance and historical importance for GP in specific and the world of quartz in general.

Now, all I just have to do is remember that it does not require winding …. ☺️

It arrived today and I wanted to share some pics with you all.

As always, I welcome your comments and questions.

Thanks for reading.