Girard-Perregaux is releasing the new Laureato Absolute Infrared Limited Edition to celebrate the opening of their first boutique in China and the 230th anniversary of the manufacture. This new watch is equipped with a 44 mm case in black PVD Grade 5 titanium and a forged carbon dial with red applied baton indexes. This 88-piece limited edition is delivered on a black rubber strap with texture simulating fabric and with red contrast stitching. The strap is equipped with a folding clasp with a micro-adjustment system to guarantee optimal wearability.

Girard-Perregaux holds a long history supplying timepieces to the Asian market that dates back 160 years when Francois Perregaux, the brother-in-law of Constant Girard —one of the founders— lived and worked in the region. China has always been a dynamic and very important market for the brand. After the successful release of the Quasar Infrared made exclusively for China, the Laureato Absolute Infrared shows the commitment of the brand to the Chinese market.

Released in a limited edition of only 88 pieces, the forged carbon dial is yet another first for the brand. Starting with carbon fiber threads that are cut into lengths —precisely weighed and placed in a mold—, liquid resin is added to strands of carbon fiber and thereafter subjected to heat and pressure. The resulting product is then milled to the desired shape to form a strong but light dial. Because of this process, each dial has its own unique appearance.

Unlike other Laureato Absolute models, the new Laureato Absolute Infrared avoids the use of a sandwich dial to highlight the forged carbon construction even more. Additionally, the applied markers are not affixed to the dial but they seem to emanate from the flange bending downwards. A discreet date aperture is located at 6 o’clock and the watch is powered by the in-house automatic calibre GP0330-1060 composed of 218 parts. The movement provides a power reserve of 46 hours when fully wound while beating at a frequency of 28,800 vph. The case back is solid in polished black PVD titanium and while it mentions that this is a limited edition of 88 pieces, the watches are not individually numbered.

Sticker Price CHF 10,680 Swiss Francs —approximately $11,800 USD. For more info on Girard-Perregaux click here.