Hands-On With The Gaga Laboratorio Labormatic Azzurro

March 14, 2013

Some watches need a paragraph to explain what they are. The Gag Laboratorio Labormatic Azzurro doesnt. With one glance, you already know its Italian. From its flowing pebble-like shape to the bold blue tones and playful use of geometry, it wears its design language proudly. Its confident, expressive, and a little unconventional, and thats exactly why it works.I took the Gag Laboratorio Labormatic Azzurro with me on a recent holiday to Rhodes to see how it would fare in a real-world setting. Its not the kind of watch I usually reach for, as its design is bolder and more stylized than my day-to-day choices, but that was part of the appeal. I was curious to see how Id fare with it over a whole week, wearing it in a different environment and letting it settle naturally into my routine.Not a jump hour but a smarter ideaAt first glance, you might assume the Labormatic Azzurro has a jump-hour display. The window at 12 oclock indeed suggests it. But its actually far more straightforward. Instead of snapping from one hour to the next, the disc glides smoothly between numbers in a continuous transition. The clever part is the in-between numeral. Rather than showing two half-cut digits, Gag Laboratorio inserts an intermediary number that lets you see both what time it is and where its heading. You can instantly tell the direction of movement, and it resolves the in-between issue somewhat elegantly. Its a satisfying blend of analog flow and digital clarity, an approach that gives the watch real character.Reading the minutes is equally intuitive. A small blur box travels around a circular track in the center, precisely highlighting each minute with a red triangle. It only takes a few readings for this to feel completely natural. It might take a fraction longer than reading a traditional hand, but it suits the watchs methodical personality.The sculptural form of the Labormatic AzzurroThe Labormatic Azzurros case design feels fluid and organic yet precise. It measures 42mm in diameter and 13.3mm thick. While substantial on paper, it balances beautifully on the wrist thanks to the curved profile and short lugs. Gag Laboratorio has clearly taken cues from Bauhaus minimalism but filtered them through a distinctly Italian lens. Its functional beauty executed with warmth rather than austerity.The case is crafted from premium-grade stainless steel with a combination of polished and brushed finishes. The double-curved sapphire crystal blends almost seamlessly into the case, creating an uninterrupted surface that feels both tactile and sleek. From the side, you can spot a small, deliberate step between the crystal and upper case, adding just enough contrast to give the form depth. The polished upper section sits atop a brushed mid-case, and the two layers flow naturally into the lugs. From below, this interplay of surfaces becomes even more striking.The crown at 12 oclock continues that theme. Now, normally, Im not a fan of crowns in this position, but it makes perfect sense here. It keeps the symmetry intact and preserves the uninterrupted lines of the case. A side crown would have spoiled that flow, and Gag Laboratorio wisely avoided it. The watch has a 5atm water resistance rating, which suits its intended purpose perfectly. After all, this is not a sports piece. I had no intention of jumping into the pool with this guy on my wrist. Still, that level of protection adds peace of mind during everyday wear. A bit of sweat and humidity in the air isnt going to ruin the watch or your day. The antireflective coating on the sapphire also works well, keeping reflections low and ensuring the dial remains legible even under harsh light.Turn the watch over, and youll find a sapphire-equipped display back secured with four screws.The quietly impressive G100 movementInside beats the La Joux-Perret G100, a movement Ive praised before and one that continues to impress. With a 68-hour power reserve, the G100 puts its Sellita and ETA peers to shame. Gag Laboratorio fits the movement with a custom rotor bearing the brands logo, visible through the display case back. It adds just the right touch of confident Italian flair.Theres no seconds hand on the Azzurro (or any of the other Labormatics), and thats intentional. Instead, a small rotating disc with the Gag logo caps the central pinion. It serves as a subtle running indicator, keeping the design clean. For a refined watch like this, its precisely the right call.A strap and buckle with thoughtful finishing touchesThe handcrafted Saffiano leather strap (made in Italy, no less!) deserves credit for elevating the wearing experience. Its texture adds character, and it feels durable while remaining supple on the wrist. Even in warm weather, it stayed comfortable and retained its shape. The light blue shade complements the dials tones perfectly, reinforcing the Azzurro theme. The exact color is hard to describe. It s not a baby blue, and its not an ice blue. Its somewhere in between.The custom buckle mirrors the logos design, featuring smooth transitions and solid construction that lend the underside of your wrist a sense of presence. Too many brands overlook this detail, but Gag Laboratorio treats it as part of the watchs overall design. Every time you fasten it, it reinforces that sense of considered detail. Bigger brands, take note. We care about our buckles!Wearing the Labormatic AzzurroOn the wrist, the Labormatic Azzurro wears beautifully. At 42mm, it feels modern but never oversized, and the 13.3mm thickness gives it just the right presence. The rounded shape hugs the wrist closely, and the double-curved sapphire glass helps it appear slimmer than the numbers suggest. While thats a whole lot of cliches in one paragraph, every one of them is true.I mostly wore the Labormatic Azzurro in the evenings, out for dinner or strolling through the hotel resort, and it felt ideally suited to that environment. Its a dressier watch with a contemporary twist, one that works best when youre in relaxed surroundings.It also turned a few heads. Genuine compliments are rare, but this watch drew them from a fellow diner and the barman, people who didnt seem particularly into watches. That tells you something about how well the design connects on a visual level.At CHF 3,900 (ex. VAT), the Labormatic Azzurro occupies a pricing segment in which design, mechanics, and finishing must withstand scrutiny. Thankfully, they do. The construction feels high-quality, the execution is cohesive, and the result is a watch that looks and feels more expensive than it is. Its a dressy watch with personality and the sort of piece that stands out for the right reasons.Italian creativity done in the right wayThe Gag Laboratorio Labormatic Azzurro is Italian design at its most confident. Its expressive without being excessive, and its bold without being gaudy. Every detail, from the clever hour display to the sculptural case and custom hardware, feels thought out. It doesnt try to be a daily GADA watch, and thats precisely its strength. The Labormatic Azzurro exists to remind us that watches can still surprise us in thoughtful, well-executed ways. And honestly, thats exactly what I want from a watch.My friends and colleagues will attest that this isnt the kind of watch Id usually gravitate toward, but there was something about it that caught my curiosity enough to give it a try. And Im happy I did. The Labormatic Azzurro reminded me that its good to step outside your comfort zone now and then because sometimes you end up pleasantly surprised.For more information, please visit the official Gag Laboratorio website.This is a partnership post. Learn more.Watch specifications Brand Gag Laboratorio Model Labormatic AzzurroReference LM-AZ-001Dial Light blue with polished steel sector frames, hour aperture, silver minute track, red Arabic numerals and markings, and pinion cap with Gag Laboratorio logo crestCase Material Stainless steel with brushed and polished finishesCase Dimensions 42mm (diameter) 13.3mm (thickness)Crystal Double-curved sapphire with antireflective coatingCase Back Stainless steel and sapphire crystal, affixed with four screws Movement La Joux-Perret G100: automatic with manual winding and hacking seconds, 28,800vph (4Hz) frequency, 68-hour power reserve, 24 jewels, custom rotor with Gag Laboratorio logo crestWater Resistance 5 atmStrap Light blue Saffiano leather with quick-release pins and stainless steel pin buckle with Gag Laboratorio logo crestFunctions Time (scrolling hours, minutes) and running indicatorPrice CHF 3,900 (ex. VAT)