Although a relatively young brand, Laurent Ferrier has built a strong track record at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG). Its first take on the moon phase complication recently won the Calendar and Astronomy Watch Prize at the GPHG 2024.
The Classic Moon Silver shares the poetic silhouette of the Galet Classic Tourbillon Double Spiral, which was named the best men's watch at the GPHG 2010.
"After retirement, my father co-founded the company in 2009 so that he could make watches of his dream, based on simplicity, precision and pure, uncluttered beauty. This materialised in our first creation, which won the Men's Watch Prize in our debut at the GPHG in 2010," said Christian Ferrier.
While his career started in an aerospace research lab, Christian followed in the footsteps of his ancestors. Laurent Ferrier is a third-generation watchmaker, who partnered with François Servanin to establish the atelier in Geneva.
From the very beginning, Christian has worked with his father in the creation department. He designs cases and LF calibres while fulfilling the role as head of brand patrimony.
"As an independent company, Laurent Ferrier focuses on creating products not meeting deadlines. We take the time to go so far into the details, with my father fine-tuning elements of our watches to achieve a balance so that the case, dial, movement and every parts are appreciated," he said.
The award-winning Classic Moon Silver shines in a red-gold case with a diameter of 40mm and a ball-shaped crown. The Classic case with smooth curves and delicately-curved lugs is inspired by 19th century pocket watches and pebbles in nature.
Laurent Ferrier with the GPHG 2024 Calendar and Astronomy Watch Prize.
Ferrier highlights the craftsmanship in creating the elegant case and distinct moon phase display, which has been integrated into the small seconds sub-dial at 6 o'clock.
Engraving on the rotating disc in dark blue Murano aventurine glass is complemented by details in hand-applied white paint.
The engraved double moon and stars are filled with Super-LumiNova and then fired at high temperatures. The luminescent coating is then further engraved to create craters on the lunar surface.
The design further includes a translucid petrol-blue enamel applique in tracking the moon phase observed in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Accordingly, N and S are indicated between the small second markers.
"Our very first moon phase complication is combined with an annual calendar for the Classic Moon. The gentle vertical brushing on the silver dial creates a subtle and delicate interplay of light, giving a sense of purity despite displaying various indications," said Ferrier.
At 12 o'clock, two bevelled windows indicate the day of the week and the month.
The date numerals are on the chemin de fer minute track in a petrol blue shade with 31 standing out in cherry red to match the central date pointer.
The layout echoes the Galet Annual Calendar School Piece, which earned Laurent Ferrier's the Men's Complication Watch Prize at the GPHG 2018.
The annual calendar complication distinguishes months with 30 and 31 days, automatically advancing to the 1st of the next month. Manual adjustment is only required once a year, on March 1, to adapt to the varying number of days in February.
The date and moon phase display of the Classic Moon Silver are respectively adjusted by using a setting pin via a corrector at 10 o'clock and a discreet flush fitted corrector set on the left side of the case between 8 and 9 o'clock.
Head of brand patrimony Christian Ferrier.
The timekeeping and complications are driven by calibre LF126.02, which provides a power reserve of 80 hours.
Based on calibre LF126.01, which powered the Galet Annual Calendar School Piece, the upgraded movement features more than 20 revised and 30 new components.
"The sapphire crystal of the case back reveals our hand-wound movement, characterised by the long blade ratchet pawl. Besides the design of each part, we aesthetically consider its position on the movement and the finishing that makes it even more beautiful," he said.
The calibre LF126.02 debuted in two versions of Laurent Ferrier's annual calendar and moon phase model, with the bolder Classic Moon Blue presented in a stainless steel case with a tonal grey-blue dial.
Award-winning Classic Moon Silver.
Classic Moon Blue in stainless steel.
Collaboration marks 70 years of Sincere Fine Watches
Creating limited editions is bittersweet to Christian Ferrier.
"It's rewarding to create something really special but it's sad to part from the watches. We won't see them again unless we have the chance to meet up with the owners," said Ferrier.
Manually-wound calibre movement LF619.01.
The 70th anniversary of Sincere Fine Watches puts him in this circumstances once again as Maison Laurent Ferrier has produced only 12 pieces of the Grand Sport Tourbillon Sincere Platinum Jubilee Edition.
Founded in Singapore, the retailer of luxury watches has particularly championed independent brands such as Laurent Ferrier. The strong partnership is underlined by the commemorative timepiece, whose dial boasts a wavy guilloché pattern with translucent petrol green lacquer and a black gradient finish.
The marine motif is inspired by waves of the South China Sea, which borders countries where Sincere Fine Watches has established a strong presence. The distinctive shade of teal symbolises vitality and resilience, reflecting on qualities that define the retailer over the seven decades.
"We took time in designing and crafting the dial to achieve a beautiful balance. The choice of this green hue and a black gradient harmonise with the mesmerising guilloché, playing with the light in a way that evokes the dynamic nature of the ocean floor," said Ferrier.
Laurent Ferrier Grand Sport Tourbillon Sincere Platinum Jubilee Edition.
Assegai-shaped hands and drop-shaped indices, treated with ruthenium and filled with white Super-Luminova, as well as a finely-snailed small seconds counter complete the design of the dial, embraced by a cushion-shaped bezel.
Satin-brushed and mirror-polished components enhance the beauty of the red-gold case with a diameter of 44mm. The Grand Sport case echoes curves of fast cars, reminiscent of those drove by Laurent Ferrier, when he was an auto racer in the 1970s.
The special edition is driven by LF619.01 -- the same engine that powers the Grand Sport Tourbillon Pursuit, which earned Laurent Ferrier the Tourbillon Watch Prize at the GPHG 2023.
The sapphire crystal caseback reveals the tourbillon and the calibre, which delivers a power reserve of 80 hours.
Laurent Ferrier's manually-wound movements are characterised by a long-blade ratchet pawl, which produces a soft and melodious murmur when winding the watch.
Every component of the movement undergoes meticulous hand-finishing. For instance, the tourbillon cage bridge features chamfered edges, bassinage, mirror polishing, and over 30 interior angles, executed by hand at Laurent Ferrier's workshops in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva.
The guilloché dial with the motif and colours reminiscent of the ocean floor.
Engravings of "one of twelve" on the caseback and the 70th anniversary logo on the sapphire crystal further signify the Grand Sport Tourbillon Sincere Platinum Jubilee Edition.
In Thailand, Sincere Fine Watches operates via its subsidiary Pendulum, and Laurent Ferrier's timepieces are exclusively available at SHH Pendulum on Siam Paragon's M Floor.
Tourbillon cage bridge with meticulous hand-finishing.
