By Rob Edwards - Sponsored

Updated: 27 March, 2026

ShareCopy Link0

Readtime: 6 min

Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here.

The word “icon” is overused in our modern parlance, but there are times when no other word will do. Girard-Perregaux’s Laureato Three Gold Bridges is the most deserving example of this in recent memory, because when a release combines two of the manufacturer’s most famous watches, each an icon in its own right, what other word could you possibly use?

As the name suggests, the Laureato Three Gold Bridges sees Girard-Perregaux combine its historic Three Bridges architecture, introduced in 1867, with its more contemporary Laureato collection, which debuted in 1975. The result is a masterclass in horological craft, bringing two extraordinary designs together to create a watch that elevates both above their already prestigious status.

The Classical & the Contemporary

The Three Bridges was conceived by Constant Girard to showcase the beauty of watch movement aesthetics. Jettisoning the idea that these elements should be hidden beneath a dial, he developed the arrow-shaped Three Bridges, creating a composition that’s equal parts form and function – more on that below. It has stood the test of the 159 intervening years, and while there has been evolution throughout that time, it remains resolutely and undeniably true to Girard-Perregaux’s original stroke of genius.

Its pairing with the Laureato is a bold new step in that journey. Recontextualising the Three Bridges within the Laureato’s signature octagonal bezel, circular ring, and tonneau-shaped case has resulted in a watch that’s arguably more Girard-Perregaux than any that has come before it.

Bridges to Beauty

Maintaining the standards expected of any watch with Laureato DNA, the Laureato Three Gold Bridge is powered by the calibre GP9620, a purpose-built tourbillon movement that is, of course, designed, developed, and crafted in-house.

The movement is structured around a trio of white gold openworked bridges that form the watch’s visual and functional backbone, as Constant Girard envisioned over a century and a half ago. Each bridge serves its own purpose: the upper secures the barrel, beneath which the watch’s platinum micro-rotor is positioned, the central supports the gear train and motion works, while the lower anchors the tourbillon.

This unusual construction brings components to the fore that are traditionally hidden at the rear of a watch, highlighting the sculptural nature of the Laureato Three Gold Bridge. From the tourbillon’s titanium lyre-shaped cage to the small seconds hand deployed to enhance functionality and rhythm, every element is intended to contribute to an overall visual balance while optimising mechanical performance.

Playing with Light

Beyond the mechanical, there’s a level of finishing artistry on offer here that’s almost impossible to overstate. Each movement is personally signed by the master watchmaker who assembles it, adding a final touch to an execution that already features sandblasted, circular, and straight satin surfaces with an astonishing 418 hand-polished angles, of which 362 are inward. Each of these, among the most challenging to polish, catches and reflects light in unpredictable ways, making the movement appear novel with every glance.

Furthermore, with the absence of a dial, Girard-Perregaux has suspended white-gold indexes above the movement, adding a soft blue luminescence that glows in low light and is shared by the baton-shaped hands, which are guided by the minute track affixed to the inner case.

A Case for Comfort

Enveloping all of this, the 41 mm case is a superb demonstration of Girard-Perregaux’s deft touch when it comes to proportions. In quite a feat for a tourbillon watch, it measures in at just 10.85 mm thick (11.25 mm for the diamond-set version, but more on that in a moment).

Alongside sharper lines, deeper bevels, and broader polished facets that catch and play with light, the watch also boasts an octagonal white-gold bezel that features a newly defined polished bevel contrasting with a circular satin finish. This deepens the dynamic between the octagon and the circle that has always been at the heart of the Laureato.

The integrated steel bracelet seamlessly matches the case’s aesthetic. Its domed links and a triple folding clasp with octagonal pushers deliver comfort and visual coherence, while a tool-free fine-adjustment system is neatly concealed within the buckle, allowing the bracelet to be extended by up to 4 mm for enhanced wearability.

Diamond-Set Edition

For those wondering if Girard-Perregaux could elevate the Laureato Three Gold Bridges even further, the maison has also created a version of the watch that’s set with 32 baguette-cut diamonds (~3.2 carats).

To achieve this, a master jeweller has been required to position the diamonds within a custom-made bezel. Each stone is placed within a channel designed to accommodate its subtle variations in size and shape, ensuring all are aligned and presented at precisely the same height. Much like the case and movement’s intricate detailing harnesses and plays with the light, the diamonds allow this iconic watch to dazzle.

Girard-Perregaux Laureato Three Gold Bridges Key Specs:

• Reference: 99112-58-3576-1CM
• Case Material: Stainless steel with white gold octagonal bezel
• Bracelet Material: Stainless steel
• Diameter: 41.00 mm
• Thickness: 10.85 mm
• Water resistance: 30 meters
• Clasp: Triple folding with up to 4 mm of fine adjustment
• Movement: GP09620-2206 – self-winding mechanical movement with a platinum micro-rotor and Three Bridges in white gold
• Price: AUD$329,200 / NZD$393,800

Girard-Perregaux Diamond-Set Laureato Three Gold Bridges Key Specs:

• Reference: 99112-58S3451-1CM
• Case Material: Stainless steel with white gold octagonal bezel set with 32 baguette-cut diamonds (~3.2 cts)
• Bracelet Material: Stainless steel
• Diameter: 41.00 mm
• Thickness: 11.25 mm
• Water resistance: 30 meters
• Clasp: Triple folding with up to 4 mm of fine adjustment
• Movement: GP09620-2206 – self-winding mechanical movement with a platinum micro-rotor and Three Bridges in white gold
• Price: AUD$416,400 / NZD$498,100

Pricing & Availability

The Laureato Three Gold Bridges is limited to 50 pieces and is available for AUD$329,200 (NZD$393,800), while the diamond-set version can be purchased for AUD$416,400 (NZD$498,100).

To discover these masterpieces for yourself, visit The Hour Glass, Girard-Perregaux’s sole retailer in Australia and New Zealand.

By Rob Edwards - Sponsored

Updated: 31 March, 2026

ShareCopy Link0

Readtime: 5 min

Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here.

A life that can be described in terms of adventure and elegance is a life well lived. This is a philosophy that has driven Longines throughout its almost 200-year history of outstanding Swiss watchmaking. It’s also one perfectly embodied by the esteemed firm’s ambitious and extensively redesigned new HydroConquest collection.

Combining a deft touch for both style and practicality, the collection sees Longines create the ultimate automatic companion for those who balance their love for aquatic excursions with a desire for on-land elegance. Delivering this kind of versatility is no mean feat, but Longines has done so with aplomb, reimagining its iconic line with a range of sizing, dial, bezel, and bracelet options that will help more of us pursue our sense of adventure than ever, and do so with a touch of timeless elegance.

A History of Adventure

Adventure has long sat at the very heart of everything Longines does. From providing the timekeeping for the world’s first solo, non-stop transatlantic flight, as completed by Charles Lindbergh in 1927, to creating the World’s first water-resistant chronograph a decade later, Longines has a history of empowering those looking to push the limits of human endeavour and enabling them to do so with a certain panache.

The maison has even produced dive watches for the Royal Australian Navy, so its pedigree for delivering wristwear that’s ready to accompany those adventuring into the deep is beyond question. 

This brings us back to the new HydroConquest collection, which takes the expertise Longines has accrued over decades upon decades of innovation and presents it in a superbly stylish package. Well, 14 to be precise. That’s how many references are contained within Longines’ comprehensive new HydroCronquest offering, each more robust and refined than the last.

A Broad Palette

The HydroConquest was first introduced in 2007, and Longines has used the 19 intervening years to craft ever more perfect adventure-ready timepieces. The new collection raises the bar yet again, offering a striking range of options across the 14 references. 

First, the immaculately crafted 39 mm and 42 mm stainless-steel cases provide contemporary proportions that offer excellent wearability, whether your wrist falls on the more ample or slight end of the spectrum. Regardless of which size fits you best, you’re guaranteed a tough-as-nails watch with a screw-in crown and water resistance of up to 300 metres, as well as Longines’ legendary attention to detail, which makes the watch a head-turner whether you’re navigating the local boardwalk or a nearby coral reef.

This effect is further enhanced by the new collection’s capacity for dial-and-bezel combinations, with four polished-lacquered dial finishes and five ceramic bezel colours available across the 14 pieces. 

The dials feature rich shades of blue, black, and green, each delivering a uniquely compelling sense of depth, while a distinctive marine-inspired frosted-blue sunray variant offers a textured surface that’s a captivating light playground. The dials also boast new applied indices treated with Super-LumiNova for exceptional legibility.

The bezels include classic black, blue, and slate grey, along with two vibrant new shades: verdant green and luminous blue. These bezels also boast a reworked unidirectional rotating system borrowed from the Longines Ultra-Chron Diver, ensuring the new HydroConquest range delivers an improved tactile experience. As a finishing touch on this crucial element, each bezel also features a new Super-LumiNova capsule at the “0” position to optimise visibility, regardless of lighting conditions.

Just Beneath the Surface

Each watch is powered by the Longines-exclusive calibre L888.5, a self-winding mechanical movement with a silicon balance-spring and exceptional precision. What’s more, this remarkable movement is up to 10 times more resistant to magnetic fields than ISO 764 standards require, while a 72-hour power reserve rounds out its compelling offering of performance and reliability.

Each watch protects its movement with a screw-down caseback bearing Longines legendary logo and a planisphere engraving that nods to the maison’s heritage of ensuring explorers and adventurers have the equipment they need. It also acts as a subtle calling to the wearer to follow their own adventurous impulse.

Of course, when doing so, it’s essential to feel confident your watch will remain firmly fixed to your wrist no matter where you wind up. The HydroConquest has two stylish and reliable options to this end. The first is a stainless-steel bracelet featuring elegant H-shaped links and a double-folding safety clasp with a micro-adjustment system, delivering four adapting ranges for ultimate comfort. 

The second is a newly introduced Milanese mesh affair, which is likewise crafted from high-quality stainless steel. It boasts a full-brushed finish with polished sides, and with tapered mesh construction, it offers outstanding comfort and breathability, while improved shortening links and a micro-adjustment clasp deliver a perfectly elegant fit.

Choose Your Adventure

From expeditions into the ocean’s depths to quests beyond the horizon, Longines has always been there to empower the spirit of adventure. Now, Longines’ expansive new range of impeccably crafted HydroConquest watches means there’s one that’s perfect for your next foray into the unknown.

With almost 200 years of perfecting adventure-ready timepieces in their most elegant form, Longines has started a new chapter with its redesigned HydroConquest. The result is a watch you’ll want by your side, wherever your next journey takes you.