Manufacturer: Laurent Ferrier Year: Circa 2011 Movement No: 377 Model Name: Galet Micro-Rotor 40mm Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Automatic, FNB 229.01, 35 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Laurent Ferrier pin buckle Dimensions: 40mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Laurent Ferrier fitted box, undated and un-stamped guarantee, instruction booklet, loupe, polishing cloth and outer packaging. Literature: Laurent Ferrier and the Galet Traveler are prominently illustrated in Watchmakers, The Masters of Art Horology by Maxima Gallery pp 136-159.
Catalogue Essay
With their exquisite hand-finished movements and superbly classical styling, Laurent Ferrier’s timepieces have become one of the most desirable of the modern independent watchmakers.
Laurent Ferrier began his eponymous brand in 2010 - after 35 years spent at Patek Philippe- and immediately captured the heart of purists with his Galet Classic Tourbillon Double Spiral. Notable for the subtle sophistication of his timepieces, the Galet Micro-Rotor was unveiled in 2011. The sinuous contour and flowing turned lugs resembles a river stone, hence the name “Galet” meaning pebble in French.
Traditional timekeeping in its simplest form, the reference features a pair of white assegai-shaped hands stretching across a deep blue dial. Housed underneath the dial is the incredibly high quality self-winding calibre FBN 229.01. Taking inspiration from the natural escapement invented by Abraham-Louis Breguet, the movement utilises a double direct-impulse escapement using two nickel phosphorous escape wheels and a silicon lever to ensure better distribution of energy. The movement is further hand decorated lavishly to the nth degree with a beautifully tapered rotor bridge, polished angles and Geneva waves.
Introducing its first watch to critical acclaim in 2010, Laurent Ferrier was founded by long-time Swiss watchmaker of the same name. Following a 37-year career at Patek Philippe, Ferrier founded the brand in 2008, creating timeless wristwatches inspired by the finest wrist and pocket watches from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Revered by collectors around the world for their genuine innovations and understated elegance, the brand specializes in exquisitely hand-finished movements featuring state-of-the-art watchmaking technology. Galet, or "pebble" in French, describes the signature feature of the brand's cases used across its collection — with soft curves, domed crystals and rounded edges reminding one of a smooth pebble.
Key models include the Galet Classic Tourbillon Double Spiral and the Galet Micro-Rotor, with stunning movement architectures designed after prestigious observatory chronometer movements of the twentieth century.