The Laureato gets left out of the "Royal Oak, Nautilus, or" conversation more often than it should. It was born in the same 1975 integrated-bracelet moment as those two, and the modern lineup still delivers the same octagonal-bezel-on-steel-bracelet formula for meaningfully less money.
The Short Answer
The Girard-Perregaux Laureato comes primarily in 38mm and 42mm steel cases, both with an octagonal bezel and integrated bracelet. The 38mm runs the automatic caliber GP03300 with a 46-hour power reserve, while the 42mm runs the automatic caliber GP01800 with a 54-hour-plus reserve. Both are rated to 100 meters. Steel references run from roughly $15,000 to $15,600 depending on dial and configuration, positioning the Laureato well below Royal Oak and Nautilus pricing for a genuinely comparable integrated sports watch.
The Laureato 42mm. The octagonal bezel and integrated bracelet are the family signature, shared with the Royal Oak and Nautilus.
Where the Laureato Comes From
Girard-Perregaux released the original Laureato in 1975, the same integrated-bracelet sports watch wave that produced the Royal Oak (1972) and, later, the Nautilus (1976). The octagonal bezel over a round case and integrated bracelet is the family's signature, executed with Girard-Perregaux's own take on the shape.
Why It Still Trades at a Discount
Girard-Perregaux carries less brand recognition outside collector circles than Audemars Piguet or Patek Philippe, and that recognition gap is reflected directly in price. The specs and finishing are comparable. The name on the dial is what moves the number.
The 38mm Laureato
The 38mm Laureato is the size most buyers land on for a genuinely wearable everyday sports watch. Reference 81005-11-3154-1CM, in steel, runs the automatic caliber GP03300 with a 46-hour power reserve and 100m water resistance, retailing at $15,600 per Wempe Jewelers.
The 38mm Laureato, reference 81005-11-3154-1CM. The size most buyers pick for daily wear.
Dial Options Matter More Than the Spec Sheet Here
The 38mm has shipped in a range of striking dial finishes, including copper, sage green, and midnight blue variants, per Monochrome's coverage of the 38mm lineup. Since the case and movement are consistent across colorways, the dial finish is genuinely the deciding factor for most buyers at this size.
The 42mm Laureato
The 42mm is the size that reads closest to a Royal Oak or Nautilus on the wrist. Reference 81010-11-431-11A, in steel, runs the automatic caliber GP01800 with at least 54 hours of power reserve and 100m water resistance, retailing at $15,000 per Girard-Perregaux's own product page.
| Size | Reference | Movement | Power Reserve | Water Resistance | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38mm | 81005-11-3154-1CM | GP03300 | 46 hours | 100m | $15,600 |
| 42mm | 81010-11-431-11A | GP01800 | 54+ hours | 100m | $15,000 |
Why the Larger Case Is Not Automatically More Expensive
Pricing across the Laureato range is driven more by dial finishing, movement variant, and edition than by case size alone, which is why the 42mm above lists slightly lower than the 38mm copper-dial reference. Shop by the exact reference and dial, not by a size-to-price assumption.
How the Two Sizes Wear
The 38mm sits closer to a classic dress-sport proportion and suits smaller to average wrists comfortably, while still carrying the full-weight steel bracelet and case presence that keeps it from reading as undersized.
The 42mm wears with more overt sports-watch presence, closer in feel to a 41mm Royal Oak, and is the size most buyers pick when they specifically want the Laureato to compete visually with that watch.
On the wrist, the 42mm wears with the same overt sports-watch presence as its more famous peers.
The Case Finishing Is the Detail Worth Handling in Person
Like its Royal Oak and Nautilus peers, the Laureato's octagonal bezel and case rely on alternating polished and brushed surfaces to define the shape under light. Photos flatten this. It is worth seeing in person before deciding between the two sizes. Our watch case finishing guide breaks down exactly how that polished-and-brushed contrast is actually made.
Laureato Versus the Rest of the Integrated-Bracelet Field
The Laureato's core value argument is straightforward: comparable design language and finishing quality to the Royal Oak and Nautilus, at meaningfully less than half the retail price of either. For a broader look at what these bezel-and-bracelet designs are actually doing mechanically and visually, our watch bezel types guide covers the functional side, while our Zenith Chronomaster Sport vs Defy Skyline comparison covers another integrated-bracelet sports watch at a different price tier entirely.
Who Should Buy a Laureato
Buyers who want genuine 1975-era integrated-bracelet design history, comparable finishing to the category leaders, and meaningfully lower retail pricing than a Royal Oak or Nautilus. It is not the watch for someone who needs the resale liquidity of the more recognized names, since Girard-Perregaux's pre-owned market is thinner and less immediate than Audemars Piguet's or Patek Philippe's.
FAQ
What is the difference between the Girard-Perregaux Laureato 38mm and 42mm?
The 38mm runs the caliber GP03300 with a 46-hour power reserve, while the 42mm runs the caliber GP01800 with at least 54 hours of reserve. Both are steel, integrated-bracelet, octagonal-bezel designs rated to 100 meters.
How much does a Girard-Perregaux Laureato cost?
Steel references run roughly $15,000 to $15,600 depending on size, dial, and configuration, based on current retail listings for the 38mm and 42mm steel models.
Is the Girard-Perregaux Laureato a Royal Oak alternative?
Yes. It shares the same 1975-era integrated-bracelet, octagonal-bezel design language as the Royal Oak, at meaningfully less than half the Royal Oak's typical retail price.
When was the Girard-Perregaux Laureato first released?
The original Laureato launched in 1975, the same integrated-bracelet sports watch era that produced the Royal Oak in 1972 and the Nautilus in 1976.
Does the Laureato hold its value as well as a Royal Oak or Nautilus?
Generally no. Girard-Perregaux has a thinner pre-owned market and less broad recognition than Audemars Piguet or Patek Philippe, so resale liquidity and appreciation are weaker even though the underlying design and finishing are comparable.
Browse authenticated pre-owned Girard-Perregaux at 5dwatches.com.