Laurent Ferrier has launched a number of timepieces with interesting case shapes from square, to elongated, and most recently, a shape similar to a Nautilus, but arguably the shape that’s still the best-looking is their round case, seen on their entry-level Galet Micro-Rotor.
The Galet Micro-Rotor comes is multiple different variations, and we previously covered this gorgeous limited edition version in 2015. Today, we have a very similar Galet Micro-Rotor that’s 40 mm, and has a slightly different dial, and an 18K white gold case, for about $40K less, yet it maintains the same movement, case design, and so forth. The price difference between white gold and platinum is negligible, although watchmakers often charge a significant premium for platinum, however, the dial for the limited edition version is of the Grand Feu enamel dial, which raises the cost, plus it’s limited edition.
Nonetheless, the silver-toned dial is admirable as well, with a nice texture, and a hue that looks cream, white, or silver, depending on the light and angle you view it at. Polished white gold Assegai-shaped hands and applied hour markers punctuate the clean dial, along with a snailed small seconds counter, with a polished white gold baton-shaped hand at 6 o’clock.
As we’ve mentioned before, when designing and producing the hands for this watch Laurent Ferrier contacted multiple Swiss watch hand manufacturers, focusing on creating something distinctive. He wanted a three-dimensional hand that was soft, unique, and elegant. He was originally turned down as not one company had the know-how or the technology to achieve his target. In 2009-2010 one of these hands makers brought back from retirement a master craftsman to achieve what is probably today the most complex hands in the industry, according to the company. The result, is, of course, the Assegai-shaped hands that have become a signature of the Laurent Ferrier brand.
Underneath the dial is the same caliber introduced years ago, which features a pawl-fitted, solid gold micro-rotor, capable of winding the mainspring power barrel up to its maximum power reserve of 72-hours. The movement is just 4.35 mm thin, allowing for a svelte timepiece that slides under a shirt cuff perfectly. Beating at 3Hz, the mechanical movement has 35 jewels, 186 total components, and a unique silicon lever escapement with double direct-impulse on the balance that was inspired by the “natural” escapement that was invented by Abraham-Louis Breguet. This technical design results in stable balance amplitude, and increased accuracy and efficiency.
As you would expect from timepiece costing this much, every component has been hand finished. The mainplate with perlage, the bridges with Geneva stripes, beveled and polished edges, and a mixture of brushed and polished surfaces, such as on the screw heads and balance bridge.
The Galet Micro-Rotor features a semi-flattened, ridged, onion-shaped crown which is a good size as the larger crowns tend to dig into your wrist whereas this one is small enough that it does not, yet large enough to easily set the time. Water-resistance is 30 meters. Presented on a black alligator leather strap. (Ref. LCF004.G1.GG1) Retail is $55,000.
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