Finally I got down to recording a second Laureato Video and share my opinion on the watch. I do not discuss watch specs - I discuss ownership and the philosophy behind my purchase.
Nice honest review Mike. No hype no BS, just straight up honest feedback. I too own APs. Been to Switzerland to view watches at Basel and SIHH in geneva. I love several models of the royal oak and offshore. They deserve the recognition they get. But I also own several laureatos. As a purist, I look at case design, movement, dial design, finishing, comfort, and price. The laureato is a but if iL watch inside and out. Finished extremely well. An understated design DNA which comes from the 70’s. GP makes movements for some other serious swiss watch brands. They have their own 5 product lines. Turbillions and perpetual calendars. Several patents. The brand is now independent. They don’t have a lot if any of celebrity endorsements. They are conservative. They produce about 12,000 watches a year. ADs used to sell them at discounts because the focus firm the herd was on AP, Rolex and patek. For what ever reason, that was the way it was. This has changed and will not change back to the past. While secondary markets have increased, it is still very very affordable. It will rise in the future. Production will be limited. No more discounts. One year wait time. When I got my AP 15300st, it was easy to get. I think I got a 20% discount. In 2005. Is was about USD 9,000. I’m from Singapore. Today, google to see the prices. I still have it and love wearing it. But watch lovers need to open their eyes and brains appreciate other brands. Try them on (GP, please have demo pieces at all ADs). You will see. For me, I am focusing on the laureato. I can’t speak for other GP models for now. But I do plan to look at some other lines frok them as well. Best wishes from Singapore to o everyone. Drop me a message if you want some more advice on the laureatos. LinkedIn or Facebook is the best way to connect to me.
@@marcnaidu5804 ( I wonder if Gerald Genta also designed the 6-cornered domes? ) Every watch designer is inspired by nature, nature belongs to everyone, not just Gerald Genta. Of course, I do not lose my respect for Gerald Genta. I make this criticism towards people who constantly compare the designs of many reputable watch brands with the designs of Gerald Genta watches or claim that they are copies.
Well done on this one. I was wondering how long it would take for people to realize just how good this GP is. And fair play to GP for treating their return customers well.
Thanks for the fun video! This watch has been on my radar for about five years. I definitely wanted to get it when I sort of first saw it on sale, preowned, at a really good price. By the time I had reached out to the person it was gone. Then the prices were never that low, and I had made other Watch purchases, and was never really able to go to that price bracket. I’m literally just home after completing a trade of another under the radar brand, Glashutte Original- the panoinverse. Found someone selling the white/silver Dale which is the one I like the most who also loved my GO and we were able to come to an agreement. Given the retail price of this watch, which doesn’t necessarily mean that’s the price people pay for them, I didn’t really ever think I would have this watch on my wrist.I’m very excited to have it now and look forward to seeing how it wears in the coming weeks.
Hey Mike - nice video ! I have black dial and I recently was able to compare it side by side with my friends AP RO 15500 black dial - we both agreed GP Laureato absolutely destroys it. I wish I could post photos so everyone could see. He is selling his Royal Oak now... "Silky" yet strong (not flimsy at all!) is a perfect word to describe this watch. It wears very comfortable and not like most 42mm, that's what sold me on this watch is the FIT. I think the looks and fit of this watch is what people don't get when looking at photos - you just have to try one on to understand. I was lucky to spend few days with my friends blue dial Laureato before pulling the trigger on mine, I simply didn't want to take it off. Opportunity presented itself for a black dial and I didn't hesitate. It is a watch that I wear when I want to rest from other hyped watches and just appreciate outstanding craftsmanship and true pure watchmaking. I think what we are going to see is a trend where people will want to go off the beaten path and will start to appreciate something like GP - a company that makes ~6,000 watches per year and is managed by a total bad ass watch guy CEO, mr Patrick Pruniaux.
What’s amazing about GP is long time ago… like early 1800’s they said they needed to market their watches and one brother went east and another brother went west. And that’s how they grew as a brand. The brand name is also a love story. Super interesting history with this brand. Worth a deeper dive into. ❤
A year or so ago you could pick up a Laureato from a gray market site for around $8500. It’s amazing how much the prices have gone up in such a short amount of time. The secret finally got out about how great of a value proposition GP is.
Dude you are such a revelation to me. I love listening to you talking about watches in a down to earth way. Not overloading on "specs" and what not. Just about the day to day of owning it etc. Refreshing. I vibe with your philosophy (being low key/conservative in terms of clothing and watches & not jumping on the hype train re anything and everything). Also great seeing just someone wearing a watch - that helps much more when looking for the next purchase than those movie-esque edited clips, just like you said. Really enjoy your vids & hope you’ll keep these chill talk content coming. All the best.
Watching this again after a long time…..oh how watch journeys change. You sold this due to sizing issues and now you are all about pre-ceramic Rolex. I can relate to changing tastes.
The issue is it just doesn't look good. It's just ok but it's good at 6k pre owned not what they are asking Msrp You are spot on with the Rolex bs that's for sure. Back to GP. They are nice of course just can't compete with the AP and VC's and I would say a level below JLC. Look at the date change. Roll the hour hand until the auto switch then roll to the Pm hours. Pull out your crown and use the quick set... it's finicky in the PM hours. You can feel it and sometimes it will just flip to the next day when pulling crown out
Appreciating your style my man! Can’t believe it took me this long to find your channel🤷. In the vein of liking things that most people may not know, what are your thoughts about Parmigiani Fleurier? I picked up one of their Tonda GT Chronographs last year and have been loving the fact hardly anyone knows what it is. I’ve actually worked a little backwards in my watch collecting journey and am only now about to acquire my first Rolex(126603). Again, I’m really appreciating your styleof watch content👊
I have a GP laureato chrono. It’s about 1 mm thicker but still wears extremely comfortable and looks absolutely stunning. Prices on Chrono24 have gone up a lot. Guess ppl are starting to realize how laureato used to be too underrated.
I absolutely feel the same about the Laureato. Just came across it couple weeks ago and the 42mm, blue dial is on the top of my list. I wonder why I never came across it. And I would have bought it years ago. When it comes to affordable haute horologie I would also recommend the 43mm steel Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe. Wears smaller, beautiful dial, hour markers luminous surrounded by polished white gold, fly wheel of blackened gold (!) you can see through the sapphire case back, 5 days power reserve. Purchased it last year. Definitely, at the moment the one watch I would keep if I had only one to choose. Once I have purchased the Laureato I don’t know which one I would keep….
( I wonder if Gerald Genta also designed the 6-cornered domes? ) Every watch designer is inspired by nature, nature belongs to everyone, not just Gerald Genta. Of course, I do not lose my respect for Gerald Genta. I make this criticism towards people who constantly compare the designs of many reputable watch brands with the designs of Gerald Genta watches or claim that they are copies.
Adolfo Natalini, the designer of the Laureato. No, Adolfo Natalini did not copy the Royal Oak. He was inspired by the dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore in his home city of Florence, Italy.
AP watches are very bad qaulity ...not reliable at all...talking from experience. GP watches are by far better watches and also 100m WR with screw down crown😀
GP has very robust and accurate in house movements. I have a 1995 4770 with gp 3100 cal. Still works well. The only problem is that doesn't keep its various in market.
The deep blue dial one ('Eternity') is stunning, but I'd probably get yours being more conservative and more versatile colour. Not a fan of butterfly clasps though generally.
No doubt this is a lovely watch and a step up as you say from Rolex in terms of haute horology. I would say GP has a similar Cachet to JLC, most people haven’t heard of it, but if you’re into watches you know they’re good. Problem with this watch is, while it does have a genuine pedigree from the 70s sports watch revolution, it just looks too much like the Royal Oak. With JLC (reverso specifically) it’s the originator of the design and you’re buying into that, with the Laureato, I reckon most other people would be thinking “he can’t afford the AP” and I’d get fed up of people asking me “is that an AP?”. Proof of point, my girlfriend walks into the room while I’m watching your video on the TV, first words out of her mouth, “is that an AP?”. I couldn’t part with the best part of 12 grand to have people constantly asking me if it is an AP and having to defend the fact it’s not, cos let’s face it most people won’t get it.
Hi sir , I appreciate your effort and we need such videos which reveal the truth that there are very nice alternatives to overpriced royal oaks and nautilus . Amazing dial amazing finishing
Stunning. Just had a quick look online. These have gone up thousands since I last looked only a few months ago! Unfortunately I think I may have missed the boat now.
unfortunately I think so too, they seem to be gaining popularity quick. Couple of months ago I was eyeing up some pre owned ones around 8-9k and now I can't even see brand new ones listed anywhere
@@adam_kano I can recall seeing the time/date for around 6k and the chrono for around 8. When I looked last night I couldn't see either for less than 12.
Love this video - no marketing BS, fancy shots, influencer nonsense. Honestly, does the lack of micro adjust on the bracelet bother you at all? Rolex has easy-link and glidelock….let me know! Thank you for making this.
Thanks mate. Size wise, I’ve been fine with the bracelet for me. Glide lock is needed more for heavy Rolexes / a light Laureato gets by perfectly with no G Lock
I have a 5711 and a GP Laureato Chrono and the GP is far nicer than the PP other than the movement finishing on the 5711 but the band is garbage compared to the GP.
Great video, thanks for the information! Any experience with the 44mm black pvd titan version? Considering ordering it but there isn’t an ad close to where I live
Never heard about GP before this video. Bought it based on your recommendation and let me tell you i don’t regret it 👌you are an influencer Let me know if you wanna review the blue skydweller
Unfortunately (or fortunately) the prices on these watches came down heavily recently and you can get easily 15-20% off from grey dealers on 2022 unworn examples. That shows that the recent price increases were just hype created by dealers and not real demand
Just in case someone hadn't already said it the Laureato was initially introduced in 1975. So right in between the release of the Royal Oak and the Nautilus. So this whole notion that it is an amalgamation and homage of different sports watches with integrated bracelet apart from the Royal Oak is all quite unfounded.
( I wonder if Gerald Genta also designed the 6-cornered domes? ) Every watch designer is inspired by nature, nature belongs to everyone, not just Gerald Genta. Of course, I do not lose my respect for Gerald Genta. I make this criticism towards people who constantly compare the designs of many reputable watch brands with the designs of Gerald Genta watches or claim that they are copies.
Adolfo Natalini, the designer of the Laureato. No, Adolfo Natalini did not copy the Royal Oak. He was inspired by the dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore in his home city of Florence, Italy.
That is actually a very interesting observation! While I don’t think there is one proper way to wear a watch I definitely do like wearing mine above that bone higher on my forearm - I think it looks better and it is more comfortable. However it does require a tighter fit and I know not everybody is a fan of keeping their bracelets that tight… anyhow - I thought that was a brilliant observation and could be a great topic on its own…
Adolfo Natalini, the designer of the Laureato. No, Adolfo Natalini did not copy the Royal Oak. He was inspired by the dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore in his home city of Florence, Italy.
I wonder if Gerald Genta also designed the 6-cornered domes? Every watch designer is inspired by nature, nature belongs to everyone, not just Gerald Genta. Of course, I do not lose my respect for Gerald Genta. I make this criticism towards people who constantly compare the designs of many reputable watch brands with the designs of Gerald Genta watches or claim that they are copies.
Lovely watch but the beer and champers must have got in the way of your French pronunciation. Haute is said Hote with a silent H. I know this because I speak French and I live in the Haute Vienne. Haute cuisine, haute couture. Au is always pronounced O. Nice watch though.
A Audemars Piguet 15500ST, Kills and eats this Gerald Perragux for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Tried on this exact watch at a GP Dealer, the dial, case, bracelet, and back see through we’re all totally hideous and ugly! AP isn’t hype, it’s total perfection, Highest level of Haute Horology, they destroy and swallow up Patek and Vacheron in every possible aspect! GP is a alternative or homage for AP! Buy what you love, not for an investment! Watches aren’t Wall Street Stock Exchange!
I actually doubt that you even own a Royal Oak. I recently was able to compare them side by side, black dial AP RO and black dial GP Laureato and of course RO is better but... not by much! That's the whole point, you get it??? RO is $23k msrp and GP is $13k msrp - that's a $10k difference and if you hold these watches side by side there is NO WAY that RO destroys the Laureato and if you actually compare the real market prices then you will have the Laureato beat the Royal Oak every time because it will be $10-15k vs $60-70k... GP simply is so so so good for the money (if you can still get one around msrp).
@@krysh195 never seen a Royal Oak? Your opinion is stupid, had a 15500 in my hand in many occasions! So don’t judge or comment if you don’t know! Gerard Perregaux is shit, seems your biased, putting the difference aside monetarily! The AP wins in every category!
I wonder if Gerald Genta also designed the 6-cornered domes? Every watch designer is inspired by nature, nature belongs to everyone, not just Gerald Genta. Of course, I do not lose my respect for Gerald Genta. I make this criticism towards people who constantly compare the designs of many reputable watch brands with the designs of Gerald Genta watches or claim that they are copies.
Adolfo Natalini, the designer of the Laureato. No, Adolfo Natalini did not copy the Royal Oak. He was inspired by the dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore in his home city of Florence, Italy.
