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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →I bought the 42mm Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph in blue because it offered the combination I actually wanted: an unmistakable integrated-bracelet design, a mechanical chronograph with genuine movement interest, and enough restraint to wear beyond the weekend. The blue dial, octagonal bezel and 100-metre water-resistance rating made more sense to me than buying a louder, more obvious status watch.
The decision in one sentence
I chose the Laureato Chronograph because it occupies a useful middle ground: more distinctive than a conventional round sports chronograph, less dependent on logo recognition than a Royal Oak, and more wearable in formal settings than a monochrome tool watch.
What I actually bought
The blue-dial steel watch is commonly identified as reference 81020-11-431-11A. Watches of Switzerland describes a 42mm 904L-steel case, textured blue dial, three sub-dials, silver hour markers and an integrated metal bracelet. Girard-Perregaux’s current Laureato Chronograph specification lists a sapphire crystal, 100m water resistance, 12.16mm thickness and the in-house GP03300 automatic movement.
- Case diameter: 42mm
- Case thickness: 12.16mm
- Water resistance: 100m
- Movement: GP03300 automatic chronograph
- Movement construction: 419 parts and 63 jewels
- Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz)
- Display: chronograph counters, small seconds and date
- Crystal: sapphire
Those figures come from Girard-Perregaux’s current product information; specifications and availability can change by reference and market.
The Tool Desk
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- Brushed stainless steel case with polished finished beveled corners.
- Silver dial has a Clou de Paris Guilloche pattern. Black sub-dials
- GP Movement Caliber GP03300
- Water resistance depth: 100.0 meters
- Case diameter: 42.0 millimeters
Why the design won me over
An octagonal identity without copying the obvious answer
The Laureato’s octagonal bezel and integrated bracelet place it in the same broad design conversation as the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, but the watch does not rely on the Royal Oak’s fame to be recognizable. Its shape, bezel treatment and dial texture give it an identity of its own. That mattered to me: I wanted a watch enthusiasts would recognize without buying the most predictable option in the category.
The blue dial is the point
The blue dial is not a minor color choice. Its textured, hobnail- or Clous de Paris-style surface adds visual depth, while the applied silver markers keep the face from becoming decorative noise. Blue also gives the chronograph a dressier, more versatile character than a black or grey tool-watch layout. It can work with a jacket, but still looks natural with denim and casual clothes.
Rank #2
- Girard Perregaux caliber GP03300, beats at 28,800 vph (4Hz), composed out of 419 parts, contains 63 Jewels & has an approximate power reserve of 46 hours.
- Power reserve: Min. 46 hours
Why the three-register layout works
The sub-dials give the watch the mechanical-chronograph look I wanted without overwhelming the dial. Silver markers and hands provide a clear contrast against the blue ground, although any buyer should inspect the watch in person and in their own lighting before treating it as exceptionally legible.
Why I accepted the 42mm size
Forty-two millimetres is substantial, and 12.16mm is not an ultra-thin profile. I did not buy this expecting it to disappear on the wrist. I bought it expecting presence.
Rank #3
- Girard Perregaux Caliber GP01800-0008, beats at 21,600 vph, composed out of 191 parts, contains 28 Jewels & has an approximate power reserve of 54 hours.
- Power reserve: Min. 54 hours
- Blue dial with a hobnail guilloche texture
The integrated bracelet makes the size more nuanced than the diameter alone suggests: the first links flow directly from the case rather than projecting like conventional lugs. That can make the watch appear more cohesive, but it does not guarantee a small-wrist fit. Before buying, I would check the bracelet’s end-link reach, whether the clasp sits centrally, and whether the case or bracelet overhangs the wrist. The published specifications do not establish those personal fit outcomes.
For me, the size was acceptable because the watch’s purpose is a sporty luxury chronograph, not a discreet dress watch. Anyone who normally wears 36–39mm pieces should try the Laureato on rather than infer comfort from the 42mm number.
Rank #4
- Large date window displayed beneath the 12 o'clock position
- Moonphase aperture at the center of the small seconds sub-dial at the 6 o'clock position.
The mechanical reason I bought it
Girard-Perregaux identifies the GP03300 as an in-house automatic chronograph. The documented architecture includes 419 parts, 63 jewels and a 4Hz operating frequency, with chronograph counters, small seconds and a date. Those details gave the purchase more substance than buying an integrated-bracelet watch solely for its case shape.
“In-house” does not make a movement automatically better, cheaper to service or more accurate than every alternative. It does, however, give the Laureato a distinct mechanical proposition and a movement platform that belongs to the brand rather than a generic specification sheet. Service intervals, costs and turnaround depend on the market and service centre, so I would confirm them before purchase.
Best Value
- Large date window displayed beneath the 12 o'clock position
- Moonphase aperture at the center of the small seconds sub-dial at the 6 o'clock position.
- GP Movement Caliber GP03300-0105
Is it practical every day?
What the specification supports
Sapphire crystal and 100m water resistance provide a credible everyday baseline. That is enough for normal exposure to rain, hand-washing and surface swimming when the crown and pushers are correctly secured, but it is not a reason to treat the watch as a dive instrument. A chronograph with an integrated bracelet remains a luxury watch first.
What still needs care
- Use the chronograph only as directed by the manufacturer, particularly around water.
- Have bracelet sizing done carefully; an integrated bracelet is less forgiving of a poor fit than a strap.
- Rinse and dry the bracelet after salt water or heavy perspiration.
- Use a qualified service centre for movement work and water-resistance testing.
How it compares with a Royal Oak and similar watches
The fairest comparison is not a slogan about which watch is “better.” It is whether each model fits your priorities.
| Decision factor | Laureato Chronograph 42mm | Royal Oak or another integrated-bracelet chronograph |
|---|---|---|
| Design language | Octagonal bezel, textured blue dial and integrated bracelet; a recognizable Girard-Perregaux identity. | Model-specific; the exact case, bezel and dial treatment must be assessed reference by reference. |
| Size and thickness | 42mm diameter and 12.16mm thick, according to Girard-Perregaux. | Not stated here; dimensions vary substantially by reference. |
| Movement | GP03300 automatic chronograph, listed at 419 parts, 63 jewels and 4Hz. | Not stated here; movement architecture and service support depend on the model. |
| Water resistance | 100m, according to the current Laureato Chronograph specification. | Not stated here; verify the individual reference. |
| Dial choice | Blue textured dial with applied silver markers. | Varies by model; compare actual contrast and sub-dial spacing in person. |
| Availability and price | Volatile and market-specific; check an authorized retailer for the current reference. | Volatile and reference-specific; check current authorized-retailer information. |
The Laureato made sense for me because it delivered the integrated-bracelet experience without requiring the purchase to be justified by the strongest possible brand signal. If brand recognition, resale liquidity or a particular movement pedigree is your first priority, your answer may be different.
What I would verify before buying one
- Confirm that the reference is 81020-11-431-11A or another exact blue-dial configuration, rather than assuming all 42mm Laureato Chronographs are identical.
- Try the watch on and inspect end-link reach, bracelet articulation, clasp position and case overhang.
- Check the current local price and warranty terms with an authorized retailer; no fixed current purchase price should be assumed.
- Operate the chronograph and examine dial legibility in bright, indoor and low-light conditions.
- Ask about service recommendations, expected costs and water-resistance testing in your region.
My verdict
I drank my own Kool-Aid because the Laureato’s appeal survived beyond the headline specifications. The blue dial gives the watch personality, the octagonal case makes it immediately identifiable, and the GP03300 supplies legitimate mechanical interest. The trade-off is equally clear: 42mm is serious wrist real estate, the watch is not a dive tool, and ownership costs and service arrangements require confirmation rather than assumption.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteIf you want an integrated-bracelet chronograph that feels individual rather than inevitable, the 42mm blue Laureato is a persuasive choice. If you want a compact watch, absolute low-profile comfort or a purchase justified mainly by maximum brand recognition, I would look elsewhere.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
