ReviewA Swirling Sensation: Carbon Glass Makes Its Worldwide Debut In Girard-Perregaux’s Laureato Absolute Rock
A timepiece that exemplifies material innovation in watchmaking, the Laureato Absolute Rock limited edition is built from carbon glass—lighter than steel and titanium, but far stiffer and more robust. Find out how this new-age rendition of a sports watch classic offers equal doses of style and substance
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The three most important pillars of haute horlogerie are craftsmanship, mechanical innovation and material innovation, and I doubt anyone would disagree with that. In this day and age, when the essential functionality of traditional wristwatches is increasingly becoming irrelevant, innovation in movements and materials has been among the most crucial factors that have kept fine watchmaking alive, even with the advent of the smartwatch. We all know that you don’t buy a luxury watch as a simple time-telling tool any more. In fact, timekeeping itself has, ironically, almost become incidental in fine timekeeping, despite all the ground-breaking innovation for improved accuracy that one comes across. Manufacturers do not bring about innovations because it’s so crucial for us to not lose more than five seconds a day on the watch that we wear. They are meant for those who appreciate such innovation in the mechanical functioning of fine instruments that aren’t just tech gadgets. However, when it comes to material innovation, there’s actually something far more tangibly functional that comes into play.
Watchmakers do not innovate with materials gratuitously. Whether it’s the development of alloys, the advances in ceramics, or fusions of different sorts, it’s most often about what the physical properties of these innovative materials can offer in a product. Of course, design is a factor, and sometimes it is about getting that perfect shade of gold, a vivid hue in ceramic, or a beautiful sheen in the finished piece, and so on. But it’s more about functional benefit—how a material can make a watch lighter in weight or more resilient in the face of impact, scratches, water and whatnot. The ‘carbon glass’ of the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Rock offers all of the above.
The Allure Of Carbon Glass
The seemingly swirling blue accents on the case of the Laureato Absolute Rock have a magnificent, mesmerising quality—almost an incandescence if you will. The carbon glass used certainly enhances the visual richness of this watch. However, this not a case of style without substance. The blue swirls are pigmented glass fibres integrated into carbon, making for a regular and homogeneous, as well as robust material that Girard-Perregaux claim is 100 times stiffer than steel. They add that the density of this carbon glass is about 1g/cu-cm, which is approximately the density of water, while steel and titanium have densities of 8g/cu-cm and 4.5g/cu-cm respectively. Naturally, this means that it’s lighter than even titanium, which, in watchmaking, is considered to be the ultimate metal in terms of being lightweight yet resilient. And yes, resilience is a strong trait of carbon glass as well, with its stiffness and, in addition to that, it’s impermeable quality. The manufacturers state that no other ‘carbon manufacturing technique matches this level of airtightness’, and that this ‘innovation guarantees full water resistance’.
The manufacturing process of carbon glass itself is patented and involves extreme compression at high temperatures, wherein the glass fibres are injected into the carbon. This results in a solid block with optimised homogeneity, and a smooth and even surface. There is no way that the patterns formed by the glass fibre swirls in one case carved out of the carbon glass block can be replicated in another, giving each Laureato Absolute Rock a unique appearance, so to speak.
Laureato Absolute Rock: From Carbon Glass Concept To Collection
Carbon glass was first unveiled by Girard-Perregaux at last year’s Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (now known as Watches & Wonders, Geneva) as a concept in a Laureato Absolute Carbon Glass edition. Now, the concept has materialised in the form of the Laureato Absolute Rock—which also features a chronograph as the 2019 concept did. The chronograph pushers on the 44mm carbon glass case of this model feature a design updated from the standard Laureato chronograph silhouette, shaped to seamlessly frame the curves of the case on the right-hand side, making for a more streamlined appearance. This enhances the sleekness of this very modern-looking interpretation of the Laureato. Further to that, the rubber strap with a fabric impression and blue stitching is integrated quite well with the case—thus exemplifying a major trend in fine watchmaking this year. The screwed-down caseback with the engraved and lacquered Laureato Absolute logo, conceals the automatic calibre GP03300-1058, which offers a reasonable minimum power reserve of 46 hours.
Framed within the signature octagonal Laureato bezel in carbon glass, the dial is a typical chronograph dial, visually, with 30-minute and 12-hour chronograph counters at nine and six, and the running seconds at three o’clock—each with a snailed finishing. A closer look will reveal that the dial is actually made of two hollowed plates superimposed, giving the watch depth in appearance. And completing the look are the baton-type hands and hour markers featuring Super-LumiNova.
A Carbon Canvas
A watch like this is one that gives you the distinctive identity of a sports watch icon that has had an illustrious past, while also being one that’s very modern and eye-catching. The unique look of each carbon glass case—with its myriad blue glass fibre swirls—adds to the appeal of every watch in this 100-piece limited edition. The resilience of the material and the lightness of how it wears despite its bold appearance are qualities that any wearer would appreciate.
Click here to read more about the origins of the Laureato collection
This advancement in material innovation allows Girard-Perregaux to create carbon glass in various other hues as well, with the option of even substituting glass fibre for gold. That certainly makes us keen to see where they take this new carbon next. For now though, as the most popular (non-neutral) colour in watchmaking, blue is a terrific start and a perfect choice for carbon glass’ debut.
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Girard-Perregaux Laureato
81060-36-691-FH6A
Looks something exclusive.
Precisely selected the carbon material to meet the future with new innovations atractive watch.
super watch