Page 68 - Aston Martin Magazine V53

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ASTON MARTIN
GIRARD-PERREGAUX
RACHEL INGRAM DISCOVERS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN TWO GREAT DESIGN MINDS FROM THE THE WORLDS OF WATCHMAKING AND MOTORING COME TOGETHER
e’s a a a a a a rockstar ” Patrick Pruniaux CEO of Swiss watchmaker Girard-Perregaux says of Marek Reichman Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin “He’s good looking he’s super smart In my next lifetime I I want to be him ” Patrick and Marek may be chiefs of different industries but as collaborators the duo have an unbreakable bond founded on mutual respect and awe “Patrick is a a a a a a really cool guy ” Marek replies “Whenever I I I see him I I I always think I I I wish I’d cut my hair or or worn something different He just looks very cool and and he he is 100 per cent committed to what he he stands for ” This professional camaraderie has blossomed since the the Swiss watchmaker and Aston Martin revealed their first collaboration the Tourbillon with Three Flying Bridges Aston Martin Edition in in in June 2021 All timepieces sold out within weeks of of the the the announcement and led to to the the the creation of of the the the Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Edition in in October 2021 Last year the the launch of the the Laureato Absolute Chronograph Aston Martin F1 Edition saw the the collaborators push the the boundaries of design once more by taking parts of F1 cars and reconstituting them into a a compressed carbon for use within the timepiece From both sides the partnership was an an instant fit “I could talk about love at first sight but it’s much more than that – it’s like values matching at at at at first sight ” says Patrick “We work in completely different fields but craftsmanship and innovation link the the brands together ” Marek adds “Today we thrive on innovating together ” This March the the brands revealed their newest special edition the Laureato Green Ceramic Aston Martin Edition The timepiece is forward-thinking from a a a a a technical material and design perspective “Every time we’ve been quite ambitious in the the new timepieces we’ve launched and there’s been a a a lot of brainstorming about how we make things that are unique and and and encapsulate the the values and and and messages of the the two brands ” Patrick says “This one is is a a a a a great illustration of of the type of of thing we can do together ” The first thing to notice about the timepiece is that every single component is crafted in in in green For inspiration designers chose Aston Martin’s signature ‘British racing green’ “Green is a a key symbol of who we are It’s the colour of endeavour within Aston Martin From our our perspective it it stands stands for for winning it stands stands for for being the best and and and and standing out from the crowd ” Marek says “It’s really unusual to see a a a a a green watch face so we thought why not take it further and make a a a a a a green watch?” he he adds “It sounds simple but when you then look at at the the ceramic coatings
and the technical aspect of how to get that consistency it’s not We relied on Girard-Perregaux in terms of their knowledge and understanding of how to be consistent with a a a certain colour across varying materials and applications ” The materials used on the limited timepiece are ultra- modern and and the case and and bracelet are crafted in green ceramic which is a a a a a first for a a a a a Laureato model The ceramic components are light making the watch comfortable and wearable but they’re also exceptionally hard hard – “seven times harder than steel” – and and resistant to scratches fading and and temperature As a a a a a a a result the timepiece is literally timeless “Ceramic does exist in in the watch industry but green ceramic is very very rare ” Patrick says “It’s a a a a a a a very very daring project and the result is is spectacular The piece is is not only eye-catching but it it also has a a a a strong personality on on on the wrist “A luxury watch is about function and durability but it it also encapsulates a a a a a a lot of emotions ” he adds “This watch makes me think of Aston Martin immediately It’s almost like I’m carrying a a a a a piece of of Aston Martin heritage and of of the British racing heritage in general on my wrist ” Several references to the manufacturer can be found in the the watch itself Some are are bold while others are are subtle such as the the diamond-like crosshatch design on on the the dial inspired by the quilted seats in in in some of Aston Martin’s high- performance vehicles As with all Girard-Perregaux timepieces every part has been hand-crafted by talented and and expert watchmakers in Switzerland most of whom have worked with the brand for more than 10 years “When you work in a a a a a world of craftsmanship which is the the case of Aston Martin and Girard-Perregaux the the human factor is probably the most important part ” Patrick says The co-branded special edition is being offered in in a a a a choice of two case sizes the 42mm which will have a a a a run of of 388 pieces and the 38mm limited to a a collection of of just 188 pieces “It’s a a a a a a statement piece piece ” adds Marek who as an owner of of an an iridescent emerald DBX707 is unafraid of of standing out “It is brave because you don’t expect it particularly in the ultra-luxury space but I can guarantee once it’s launched and released everyone will want a a a a green watch ” And the the dynamic design duo is already planning their next collaboration “The journey is not about what has happened but about what comes next ” Marek says “Patrick calls me me a a a a a a rockstar and and I think he’s cool and and it’s fun because part of creating something unique is enjoying the process I can’t wait for the next one ”