| Brand: | Laurent Ferrier |
| Model: | Galet Traveller Prototype No.1 - LCF 007-AC |
| Movement: | automatic Cal. LF 230.01 |
| Case material: | stainless steel |
| Case size: | 41 mm |
| Crystal: | domed sapphire, front and back |
| Bracelet/strap: | brown Laurent Ferrier alligator strap with a white gold Laurent Ferrier deployant buckle |
| Functions: | Date, GMT, Chronometer, Hours, Minutes, Sub-seconds |
| Features: | Unique piece, Display Back |
| Water resistance: | 30 metres |
This is a one-of-a-kind, steel Laurent Ferrier Galet Traveller. It was created as a prototype for the new line, as indicated by the movement number, P01. In fact, the case also bears the first serial number, B007-P01 and served to house the newly developed in-house caliber LF 230.01, while it was tested on the wrist.
The movement has been upgraded with the latest improvements, to match the final production design, ensuring reliability and accuracy. This rare prototype watch is in excellent condition, has Laurent Ferrier's exceptional precision, being certified as a chronometer by the Observatoire de Besançon, and is guaranteed for authenticity. It comes as a full set, in its original box, with the certificate from Laurent Ferrier included with it.
The slate grey dial is made of solid silver, with the centre having a subtle vertical satin-brushed finish and is surrounded by the circular motif of the minute track register. The streamlined, applied teardrop hour-markers, the “assegai-shaped” hour and minute hands and the counterpoised baton seconds hand, are made of 18-carat white gold, all characteristic of Laurent Ferrier's classic fluid forms.
These free-flowing lines are only interrupted by the date aperture at three o'clock, the sub-seconds register at six o'clock, and the 24-hour home-time window at nine o'clock. The latter is not linked to the date function, making it a sensible take on what a GMT should do, referencing the home-time only, but not the date. Consequently, it is the central hands that show the local time, and these can be incrementally adjusted in both directions. This allows for the smooth and easy transition between time zones, a rare quality even amongst traveller watches. The combination of a clean design and this ease-of-adjustment, makes this unique Laurent Ferrier Galet Traveller both easily readable and easily handled.
The watch has a round case that is exceptionally, made of stainless steel. At the time of manufacture, Laurent Ferrier did not manufacture any watches in stainless steel, unless they were specially-commissioned pièces uniques. As this test-watch was never intended for sale, there was no need to make the case out of anything other than steel. It measures 41 mm and features two pushers at eight and ten o'clock, to change the central hands. The bottom one sets the time backwards and the upper one forwards, and thanks to small notches, they can be comfortably adjusted. This Galet Traveller has a ball-shaped crown and elegantly flowing lugs, distinctly in the Laurent Ferrier style. The watch comes on a brown Laurent Ferrier alligator strap with an 18-carat white gold deployant buckle.
Like the front, the case-back is covered by a sapphire crystal, to reveal the engraved "PROTOTYPE No 01" movement. The three bridges, bearing the Genevan striped motif, allow for a great view of the stunning calibre. The self-winding movement is controlled by Laurent Ferrier's unidirectional, shock-absorbing, oscillating, micro- rotor, guaranteeing a chronometer's precision and longevity. Its off-centre position immediately captures the viewer's attention, with its beautiful 18-carat gold guilloché finishing set against the backdrop of the circular grain of the main-plate.
To allow for the dual-time function, the calibre LF 230.01 took two years to design. It has 80 hours of power reserve when fully wound. Though the bridge is engraved with "THIRTY-FIVE (35) JEWELS", it is actually a 44-jewel automatic movement. The inconsistency arises from the fact that watch was created during the testing phase, but subsequently upgraded to a higher jewel count. The watch beats at a rate of 21,600 A/h and has a depth rating of 30 metres.
Prototypes are almost never put on the market by manufacturers, with most staying in the brands' museums and collections. With so few Laurent Ferrier watches leaving this Atelier d'Horlogerie, this is an extremely rare opportunity to acquire such a timepiece.
It comes with an A3 landscape graphite drawing of the watch and its movement, which took 57 hours to complete, and was created by our very talented in-house illustrator Max Resnick.
For more information about this unique timepiece, go to HODINKEE and visit WATCH LIFE.
Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.
The movement has been upgraded with the latest improvements, to match the final production design, ensuring reliability and accuracy. This rare prototype watch is in excellent condition, has Laurent Ferrier's exceptional precision, being certified as a chronometer by the Observatoire de Besançon, and is guaranteed for authenticity. It comes as a full set, in its original box, with the certificate from Laurent Ferrier included with it.
The slate grey dial is made of solid silver, with the centre having a subtle vertical satin-brushed finish and is surrounded by the circular motif of the minute track register. The streamlined, applied teardrop hour-markers, the “assegai-shaped” hour and minute hands and the counterpoised baton seconds hand, are made of 18-carat white gold, all characteristic of Laurent Ferrier's classic fluid forms.
These free-flowing lines are only interrupted by the date aperture at three o'clock, the sub-seconds register at six o'clock, and the 24-hour home-time window at nine o'clock. The latter is not linked to the date function, making it a sensible take on what a GMT should do, referencing the home-time only, but not the date. Consequently, it is the central hands that show the local time, and these can be incrementally adjusted in both directions. This allows for the smooth and easy transition between time zones, a rare quality even amongst traveller watches. The combination of a clean design and this ease-of-adjustment, makes this unique Laurent Ferrier Galet Traveller both easily readable and easily handled.
The watch has a round case that is exceptionally, made of stainless steel. At the time of manufacture, Laurent Ferrier did not manufacture any watches in stainless steel, unless they were specially-commissioned pièces uniques. As this test-watch was never intended for sale, there was no need to make the case out of anything other than steel. It measures 41 mm and features two pushers at eight and ten o'clock, to change the central hands. The bottom one sets the time backwards and the upper one forwards, and thanks to small notches, they can be comfortably adjusted. This Galet Traveller has a ball-shaped crown and elegantly flowing lugs, distinctly in the Laurent Ferrier style. The watch comes on a brown Laurent Ferrier alligator strap with an 18-carat white gold deployant buckle.
Like the front, the case-back is covered by a sapphire crystal, to reveal the engraved "PROTOTYPE No 01" movement. The three bridges, bearing the Genevan striped motif, allow for a great view of the stunning calibre. The self-winding movement is controlled by Laurent Ferrier's unidirectional, shock-absorbing, oscillating, micro- rotor, guaranteeing a chronometer's precision and longevity. Its off-centre position immediately captures the viewer's attention, with its beautiful 18-carat gold guilloché finishing set against the backdrop of the circular grain of the main-plate.
To allow for the dual-time function, the calibre LF 230.01 took two years to design. It has 80 hours of power reserve when fully wound. Though the bridge is engraved with "THIRTY-FIVE (35) JEWELS", it is actually a 44-jewel automatic movement. The inconsistency arises from the fact that watch was created during the testing phase, but subsequently upgraded to a higher jewel count. The watch beats at a rate of 21,600 A/h and has a depth rating of 30 metres.
Prototypes are almost never put on the market by manufacturers, with most staying in the brands' museums and collections. With so few Laurent Ferrier watches leaving this Atelier d'Horlogerie, this is an extremely rare opportunity to acquire such a timepiece.
It comes with an A3 landscape graphite drawing of the watch and its movement, which took 57 hours to complete, and was created by our very talented in-house illustrator Max Resnick.
For more information about this unique timepiece, go to HODINKEE and visit WATCH LIFE.
Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.
| Year: | 2011 - 2013 (prototype) |
| Condition: | A |
| Warranty: | 12 months full |
| Box: | original Laurent Ferrier box |
| Paperwork: | original paperwork from Laurent Ferrier |
| Availability: | now |
| UK Delivery: | free next day |
| Overseas delivery: | 3-5 working days |
| Returns: | 14 days |
| Price: | £50,000 |
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