Rolex OP41 vs Girard Perregaux Laureato

[hoppes-no9]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

Remove the word, "Automatic" as well. Class it up a bit.

Yeah nowhere near as classy as “SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED”

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

The applied text kinda bothers me too. Looks like they just put a plastic sticker on the waffle dial. They could have done something better than that I think. Remove the word, "Automatic" as well. Class it up a bit.

Originally Posted by hoppes-no9

Yeah nowhere near as classy as “SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED”

The two are different in my opinion. In the case of GP, look at its intended competition (AP, PP, VC, JLC). None do this. Its about playing the pet as much as anything.

Does Rolex need that text? No. But it’s become something of a tradition, before becoming more of a gimmick (since Rolex standards became far tighter than COSC).

[hoppes-no9]

Originally Posted by dannyp

The two are different in my opinion. In the case of GP, look at its intended competition (AP, PP, VC, JLC). None do this. Its about playing the pet as much as anything.

Does Rolex need that text? No. But it’s become something of a tradition, before becoming more of a gimmick (since Rolex standards became far tighter than COSC).

Look, I made it clear in my earlier post that they’re both great watches, and they certainly are different. I would be hard pressed to give up either.

But it takes some mental gymnastics to criticize the applied indices or the text on one but not the other. And sure, the GP is reminiscent of a Royal Oak. But the OP/DJ are reminiscent of pretty much every other three hander that came before them.

Angels dancing on the head of a pin and all that.

[WatchEater666]

Originally Posted by hoppes-no9

Look, I made it clear in my earlier post that they’re both great watches, and they certainly are different. I would be hard pressed to give up either.

But it takes some mental gymnastics to criticize the applied indices or the text on one but not the other. And sure, the GP is reminiscent of a Royal Oak. But the OP/DJ are reminiscent of pretty much every other three hander that came before them.

Angels dancing on the head of a pin and all that.

Exactly, but can't expect much.

[VonSomething]

Originally Posted by hoppes-no9

And sure, the GP is reminiscent of a Royal Oak.

Honestly the GP looks nothing like a Royal Oak, if anything it's a closer resemblance to the Nautilus.

[hoppes-no9]

Kind of torn on that one. In person, to my eye, the overwhelming impression of the GP comes from the hobnail dial and octagonal bezel, which tips it towards the AP. But clearly there’s some Nautilus similarity there too.

Not as much Nautilus similarity as the Polo S (which I also quite like):

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by hoppes-no9

Kind of torn on that one. In person, to my eye, the overwhelming impression of the GP comes from the hobnail dial and octagonal bezel, which tips it towards the AP. But clearly there’s some Nautilus similarity there too.

Not as much Nautilus similarity as the Polo S (which I also quite like):

Current Polo, to me, is a dead ringer for the 5167 on bracelet.

[Savwar]

Looks great, nice choice, congrats!

[ajw99]

Last week I saw a Laureato in the wild for the first time ever. I had only ever seen them at an AD. It was hard to tell (outdoors at night) but I believe it was the non-chrono and blue dial. It looked really good. At first, I saw only the underside of the guy's wrist and the bracelet reminded me a lot of PP 5711 but not the same -- I knew something was off but couldn't quite figure out what. A few mins later, I saw the rest of the watch and then knew / realized it was indeed a Laureato. It looked really good. I'm not a PCL guy but I'd be tempted otherwise by some of their chrono models, if in the market.

[cyind]

I have the OP39 white dial. Thinking about the GP 38mm now...42mm seems big

[Nav01L]

Originally Posted by dmash

Not at all. Nautilus is a completely different shape, dial pattern is different and the octagonal style bezel is non existent. Nobody says a nautilus ‘looks like an AP’. Practically everybody says that about this watch at first glance, and the RO was released 3 years prior, it’s simply a fact.

Perhaps ‘copy’ wasnt the correct terminology. I’m not saying GP makes shoddy watches or is not a legitimate company, but this model certainly has VERY strong Royal Oak characteristics on multiple fronts. One would have serious trouble denying the resemblance.

You do realize the origin story of the Nautilus is literally Patek going to Genta saying, nice Royal Oak you designed there, good job on that, now please make a version of that exact same recipe for us. If there was ever a copy of the Royal Oak, it is the Nautilus. It is the o.g. of Royal Oak copies.

[Nav01L]

Originally Posted by Mutsu

I went for the Laureato in the end.

Tried it on at an AD and it was a night and day difference for me vs the OP41 in terms of small detail finishes. Just generally felt like a much higher price point watch, which I guess makes sense because it is...

One of my main concerns was comfort of the bracelet, as the OP41 felt great when I tried one on (in dial colors that I didn't want to buy). But the Laureato for me is equally as comfortable, if not perhaps more.

I'll probably pick up an OP someday in the future, if the hype train goes away enough that I can realistically get hold of one from an AD. For now my experience with trying to get hold of a Rolex has soured the brand somewhat for me anyway, the service from dealers was far from what I'd expect - although they were only acting on orders from Rolex apparently with the no waiting lists on anything.

Had I not been in Japan and been able to get on a waiting list it may have been a different story, but I'm happy with my new watch :)

Pics below.

Wholehearted congratulations my friend, you made a great choice! Love the watch!

[Maiden]

Great choice, I loved mine, miss it dearly.


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[robinmgb]

Definitely GP for me
So much more exclusive and shows you have an actual interest in watches and horology, the Rolex OP is just for people that don't have any interest/knowledge of watchmaking, mass produced king of the street brand in my opinion

[Saaci]

When I saw the ceramic Laureto in person it looked great. But it reminds me of the moser “Swiss icons” concept with the royal oak dial and bezel and the nautilus bracelet. OP for me.


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[3HandsNoDate]

I saw these GPs in the metal and was very impressed. Sleeper stunner.

[Choo Yao Chuen]

It must be a rolex

[brian628]

Originally Posted by 3HandsNoDate

I saw these GPs in the metal and was very impressed. Sleeper stunner.

Totally agree. I currently own several GPs. They are incredible pieces.
I have posted on this before, but I can never understand why they get so little Love.

Is it because of poor marketing? Bad styling? Retail distribution? Victim of perpetual Rolex-Patek Hype?

It's amazing to see the drop from MSRP to the secondary market.

Given their wide availability and low price (at least on the secondary market), they are the best steals in watches now days. Its also especially difficult to appreciate them without trying them on.

[alphadweller]

Congratulations, OP. The GP is on another level. I don't mind the fact it walks in the shadow of the Royal Oak. I tried two OP41s when announced in 2020, the regular blue (bright blue) and the yellow. Coming from Rolex sports models, the OPs felt almost cheap and dainty, on my wrist at least. I really wanted one before trying, but was a bit disappointed in the flesh.

[RoscoPico]

GP for me. Love the value, quality and history. And since it's not currently part of the hype, good time to buy.
I also don't really think it looks like an AP, although it adopted the Genta design, like the Nautilus and Overseas did. It does have things in common with each though.

[winst]

That really is a great looking watch!

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by KeobNepo

The GP looks like the result of a romantic night between AP and PP


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[GT23]

I like my Laureato!


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[Xerxes77]

GP it’s another level

[cyind]

I have an OP39 and love it. Still I have seen the laureato and like the design. I find the two very different watches. Laureato is more bold. Op39 is sleek.


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[Tom SB]

Bought a Laureato a couple of weeks ago and am loving it. It has a great dial that changes a lot in different light. It is legible, has a date window (which I need, as this is a pragmatic watch for me), great and very crisp lume and the bracelet is comfortable (although the lack of micro-adjustment would be one criticism). It also has 100m water resistance (unlike the AP RO) which seems to me to be entirely necessary with a sports watch. And that's that I am wearing it as. It's an expensive watch to put through the wringer, but that is the purpose for me.

[AG23]

Originally Posted by Tom SB

Bought a Laureato a couple of weeks ago and am loving it. It has a great dial that changes a lot in different light. It is legible, has a date window (which I need, as this is a pragmatic watch for me), great and very crisp lume and the bracelet is comfortable (although the lack of micro-adjustment would be one criticism). It also has 100m water resistance (unlike the AP RO) which seems to me to be entirely necessary with a sports watch. And that's that I am wearing it as. It's an expensive watch to put through the wringer, but that is the purpose for me.

Congrats on the new addition

Please post pics!

[Becweb]

You made the right choice, forget the hype and go with your heart :D Major congrats!

[Lukebennett21]

The stacking of the bezel on top of a circle is not my cup of tea! Just seems like it needs one more finishing touch.

Granted I’ve never seen one in person and I don’t dislike it. I just like the OP41 more. Maybe a better comparison would be a date just?

[Rado63]

I would like a Royal Oak, and I am sure their is no chance I am going to get one from the boutique, the closest boutique to me is 400 miles away. My advice, keep visiting the Rolex AD near you and try to buy something or just go in once a week and maybe you will catch the chance to get an OP or DJ. Buying another brand may not satisfy your want for a Rolex especially if you don't already own a Rolex. It's the brand you want so keep trying.