Laurent Ferrier Galet Annual Calendar School Piece "Geneva Edition"

Laurent Ferrier, a company synonymous with technical refinement and flawless finishing, unveils a new limited-edition, user-friendly annual calendar. Restricted to just 5 pieces, the watch has been created for the high-end retailer, Boutique Montres Prestige Geneva. Housed within a 40mm steel case, the watch is endowed with an opaline autumn inspired dial.

Geneva edition, autumn inspiration

Throughout the year, each season represents a stage of life. For example, spring is youthful, immature and naive. However, with the passage of time, autumn arrives, mature and wise. Autumn has experience and has amassed knowledge, traits which resonate with Laurent Ferrier and have provided inspiration for the company's latest limited-edition watch.

The Genevan watchmaker has acquired much knowledge since his early studies in the 1960s. Over the years his eponymous company has grown, tempting other talented individuals to join its ranks, no doubt attracted to the firm's no-compromise approach to watchmaking. Throughout its history, Laurent Ferrier has enjoyed much critical acclaim. In 2010, the firm won the 'Best Men's Watch award' at the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix (GPHG). Thereafter, the company enjoyed further success at the GPHG in 2015 and 2018. The company's vast experience is manifest with each creation it makes.

Laurent Ferrier, in collaboration with Boutique Montres Prestige Geneva, has created a new limited-edition watch, aptly named the "Geneva Edition". It is housed in a 40mm stainless steel case and features an opaline autumn inspired dial.

A useful complication

The classically-styled Laurent Ferrier Galet Annual Calendar School Piece "Geneva Edition" was designed in-house and embodies an array of qualities which distinguish it as special. The prevailing time is conveyed with curvaceous ruthenium Assegai hands. A snailed small seconds display resides above 6 o'clock, tastefully imparting meaning. Two bevelled apertures, positioned in the upper portion of the dial, proclaim the day and month, while the date is indicated by a white hand circumnavigating the periphery of the dial. The dial displays much information yet remains uncluttered and free of distractions.

As its name suggests, this watch is endowed with an annual calendar. This complication recognises those months with 30 and 31 days, automatically advancing to the 1st of the month as appropriate. The only occasion necessitating manual adjustment is once per year on the 1st of March. A push piece on the left side of the case provides a simple means of adjusting the 'day' display. All other adjustments can be made easily by pulling the crown and rotating it accordingly, obviating the need for tools.

The School Piece case pays due reverence to a time when watchmakers converted pocket watches into wrist worn timepieces. The company's 'ball-shaped' crown proffers ease of manipulation and an abundance of eye appeal. The vertical flank of the crown features a domed circlet, a shape repeated on the sides of the graceful, arcing lugs. Engraved text features on the underside of the case, stating “Geneva Edition” and bearing the watch’s individual number (limited to 5 pieces).

Caliber 126.01

The Calibre n°126.01 is at the heart of the "Geneva Edition". This hand-wound movement, comprised of 235 components, incorporates a Swiss lever escapement and is capable of running autonomously for up to 80 hours. The variable inertia balance features screws affixed to the rim of the balance wheel, providing an effective means of altering the rate. It delivers superior performance when contrasted to a simple index-adjusted balance and is highly prized by purists. A power-reserve indicator is positioned on the movement, visible to the rear of the watch. The company's iconic long 'blade' type click ratchet, much loved by the brand's owners, is mirror polished with a ‘rounded-off’ finish and evinces a resplendent appearance.

Emphasis on the finishing

Laurent Ferrier is renowned for matchless finishing. Each bridge is adorned with pristine Côtes de Genève decoration and ruthenium treatment. The mainplate is embellished with perlage. The sides and interior angles are manually chamfered. All jewel sinks and screw heads are painstakingly polished to a gleaming conclusion. There are no concessions to haste, everything is refined to the highest order.

The Laurent Ferrier Galet Annual Calendar School Piece "Geneva Edition" is presented on a chestnut alligator leather strap with co-ordinating Alcantara lining, providing a sumptuous means of uniting the watch with its fortunate wearer.

Each example of this watch showcases the incredible expertise and skills for which Laurent Ferrier is known. Indeed, this is an expertise that has been amassed over many years and demonstrates the virtue of wisdom, something the opaline autumn inspired dial stylishly encapsulates.