The movement has remained unchanged and loyal to the stringent demands of Laurent Ferrier in the domain of mechanical horology and finishing. Meanwhile, the more distinctly rounded case comes in a 39 mm diameter to ensure a closer fit and even more comfort on a ladies’ wrist.

For the dial, Laurent Ferrier has chosen mother-of-pearl, which radiates a unique velvety feel due to its natural character. It is enriched with a stylised décor featuring voluptuous arabesque motif, delicately interwoven foliage or the  refined detail of an exquisite embroidery.

The pure, uncluttered dial is graced with a diamond at 12 o’clock to enhance its readability. 

The Lady F models are interpreted to adapt to various situations of wear.

A Tahitian mother-of-pearl dial glowing with shimmering coppery glints makes a perfect match with the 18-carat red gold. The “ball-shaped” winding crown is topped with a cabochon-cut brown sapphire echoing the dial.

The light blue version of the mother-of-pearl dial is framed by an 18-carat white gold case with a winding-crown featuring a cabochon-cut blue sapphire. This model also comes in a variation featuring a snow-set case middle.

The latter calls for a unique skill due to the delicate craftsmanship involved. The diamonds totalling 1.4 carats have been meticulously selected for their varying sizes and arranged so as to give the impression of occupying the entire case middle in a smooth, homogenous way. This technique gives the model a unique radiance.

The openworked leaf-shaped hands set a delightful finishing touch to the dial by lending a uniquely curved, light feel.

The satin straps are lined with alligator selected for its small round scales to ensure even more refined comfort, complemented by an 18K red or white gold pin buckle.

Superlative finishing

The exceptional finishing of the movement is crafted in the finest watchmaking traditions in Laurent Ferrier’s Geneva workshops. In addition to a Côtes de Genève pattern on the bridges and the circular graining on the mainplate, the flanks are hand-drawn, the wheel spokes are bevelled, the screw heads are polished and the interior angles are hand-crafted. The mirror polishing done by hand on the pawl, the  balance-clock and the micro-rotor bridge, as well as the guilloché motif on the 18-carat solid gold micro-rotor, give this model an entirely distinctive radiance. The sapphire crystal case-back provides a glimpse of the finesse of this workmanship and reveals harmonious architecture stemming from a clever combination of lines and curves.

An exclusive Laurent Ferrier movement

A subtle blend of past memories and contemporary techniques, the Galet Micro-Rotor is an impressive compendium of horological innovations. Its self-winding movement with off-centred winding micro-rotor stems from an exclusive development inspired by Abraham-Louis Breguet’s échappement naturel.

The automatic winding system was invented in the late 18^th century and takes advantage of the watch wearer’s arm movements to wind the barrel spring and thus store up the energy required to run the mechanism. The device has been constantly enhanced ever since.

The Galet Micro-Rotor features three exclusive characteristics:

• a micro-rotor pawl-fitted automatic winding system fixed between the mainplate and the micro-rotor bridge;

• a silicon escapement with double direct impulse on the balance;

• a silent-block shock-absorbing system protecting the micro-rotor

The escapement with double direct impulse on the balance

This exclusive silicon escapement with double direct impulse on the balance is inspired by the father of modern horology, Abraham-Louis Breguet. This modern construction, associated with the use of cutting-edge materials, maximises the restitution of energy. The excellent efficiency of this escapement serves to reduce the torque required to wind the mainspring and hence optimises the movement winding

What is the meaning of “double direct impulse on the balance”?

Inspired by detent escapements, this Laurent Ferrier escapement offers the advance of giving two impulses per oscillation (1 oscillation = 2 vibrations). This means that the movement frequency of 3 Hz (21,600 vph) impulses the balance 21,600 times per hour.

To use a metaphor, one might compare this principle with that of a swing:

• with a detent escapement, you push the swing once and you wait until it comes back before giving it the next push;

• with the double direct-impulse escapement, you push the swing and the other person sends it back to you when it reaches the other side.

An efficient winding system inspired by tradition

The excessively noisy ball-bearing system has been replaced by a more traditional horological mechanism with pawls. The micro-rotor is equipped with a unidirectional-winding gold oscillating weight. The latter is fixed directly between the mainplate and the upper bridge in order to ensure maximum stability compared with a conventional micro-rotor. Furthermore, the shock protection system is very innovative by using the principle of silent-blocks or shock-absorbing anti-vibration pads. Moreover, and also with a view to optimising winding power, the barrel is mounted on jewels. 

The harmonious construction and the technical performances of the Galet Micro-Rotor stem from the global approach envisaged for each of the movement parts, the goal being to optimise energy management – with the final aim of improving comfort on the wrist by means of more efficient automatic winding. 

Calibre FBN229.01 is the third exclusive Manufacture movement developed, assembled and adjusted in the Laurent Ferrier workshops.