Laurent Ferrier is a true independent manufacture, making only several dozen watches per year, at an exceptionally high level. It is headed by
Laurent Ferrier himself, who worked at Patek Philippe for 40 years, finishing as their creative director.
At 41mm, this Laurent Ferrier is 1mm bigger than the conventional size of a Micro-Rotor. Enamel dials have previously only featured on the Galet Traveler and Tourbillon, with no series-production Micro-Rotor ever made available in platinum. Only 2-3 grand-feu enamel dials have been produced each year since the end of 2015, and with the added size and weight of its platinum case, it wears exceptionally well on the wrist.
This Laurent Ferrier Galet Micro-Rotor has a distinctive amorphous, bevel-free shape. The case features a rounded bezel, thin lugs and the manufactures' signature onion shaped crown. The entire watch is polished and mirror finished, while the crown itself equally engraved. The watch also features a screw-down caseback, adding additional protection to the grand-feu enamel dial, which is beautifully accented by subtle blue coloration around the sub-seconds. On top of this, are inlaid black roman numerals and Laurent Ferrier’s signature ‘Assegai’-shaped hands.
Powered by the in-house, self-winding calibre LF 229.01, it has an incredibly high-quality movement that combines traditional watchmaking, with modern innovation. Interestingly, where haute-horlogerie often favours a manual-winding movement that’s not blocked by a rotor, Laurent Ferrier decided that contemporary needs, called for an automatic movement. The solution was the incorporation of a micro-rotor as a winding mechanism, allowing the architecture of the movement to be shown completely. The fan-shaped micro-rotor is made of solid gold and is suspended by a large bridge, together, intended to create the impression of a bird standing on one foot. Furthermore, it uses a pawl, allowing it to wind in a unidirectional manner, adding efficiency and reliability.
Impressively, the Laurent Ferrier Galet Micro-Rotor also utilises a double direct-impulse escapement, which improves the efficiency of the movement through its ability to use less power and maintain amplitude, achieved through the escape-lever being locked down between two escape wheels. The finishing of the movement is a major focus for the Galet Micro-Rotor, with contrasts established between the perlage backdrop and the thick circular-grained Geneva Stripes on the bridges. The incredibly precise finishing of the interior angles is achieved through the use of a burin, and the handwork of the manufacture’s skilled craftsmen.
The timekeeping of the Galet Micro-Rotor is equally impressive - it is chronometer-certified by the Besançon Observatory, outperforming its more commonly, COSC-approved peers. It also has a power reserve of 72 hours. Only 18 will ever be made, with 2-3 having been produced each year since the end of 2015.
This watch comes on its original black alligator strap, and a matching platinum tang buckle.
Viewings can be arranged in Central London.
