Chronos That Don’t Look Too Chrono

For Corporate Takeovers: GirardPerregaux’s Laureato Chronograph

When GirardPerregaux says 2018 is the year of its Laureato – known for its distinctive octagonalshaped bezel and cool elegance – it means it. The Swiss brand has launched two of them, and this one, the second, is the first chrono in the range. It’s powered by a self-winding chronograph movement with a 46hour power reserve. In either 38mm or 42mm steel or pink gold, with a steel bracelet or alligator strap, and three dial colours – silver, black or dark blue. $19, 200- $41,700.

ACKGROUND 123RF

Chronograph Berluti The Swiss watch brand brings its technical know-how, and the Italian fashion brand its leather expertise, for one sexy collab. Berluti first engraves its signature Venezia Scritto calf leather with writing inspired by 18th-century calligraphy, then the leather is mineral- and vegetabletanned, just like its shoes. To ensure that the leather for the dial doesn’t oxidise (read: it won’t ever spoil), a “complex and delicate process” is employed to neutralise humidity. The chrono comes in two colourways – burgundy strap with Hublot’s proprietary King Gold case, $52,200; and blue strap with titanium, $22,300.

 

First launched in 2011 in white gold (rose gold came later, in 2015), the Ref. 5270P Perpetual Calendar Chronograph now has an upgraded platinum edition with a vintage-style, salmoncoloured dial (previously only for custom or limitededition models) with blackened gold numerals, for $246,400.

 

Of the four timepieces featured here, the German brand’s chrono is the one that’s designed for optimal readability: white indices on black, which – along with the hour and minute hands – are luminous. Other features that make the 936 reliable: magnetic fi eld protection for precise timekeeping. $5,730