Galet Annual Calendar School Piece
Made with the support of Laurent Ferrier
SIHH 2018: Introducing Laurent Ferrier Galet Annual Calendar School Piece
For SIHH 2018, Laurent Ferrier adds a stunning annual calendar complication to their popular Galet Montre Ecole line.
By Josh Shanks
Contributor
For almost a decade, Plan-les-Ouates based Laurent Ferrier has been producing some seriously stunning watches that have captivated collectors around the globe – including myself. This kind of momentum is rarely seen within our industry and only supplemented by this latest addition.
Featuring the NEW Annual Calendar movement dubbed LF.126.01 which is the brand’s first new caliber in over five years. This makes the 5th in-house designed caliber out of the brand’s Plan-les-Ouates workshop.
Minimalist calendar
For designers, displaying the date, day, and the month in a balanced – yet legible way, can sometimes be a hard task. The sheer technical requirements needed to adjust for 365 days of reliable timekeeping (with a single adjustment March 1) can drive designers and engineers mad. We’ve seen brands try and fail but in my humble opinion Laurent Ferrier nailed this one. Smooth yet refined touches like the dial contrast and minimalistic layout further add to the enjoyment I felt with this timepiece.
The Galet Annual Calendar School Piece is available with a brushed silver-toned or slate-grey dial. Each dial is punctuated by 1940s inspired numerals. The day and month is viewed through beveled windows below the 12 o’clock marker while the date is presented by a hand that indicated the date printed on a circular satin outer ring.
Finishing, Finishing, Finishing
Like all Laurent Ferrier timepieces, finishing takes center stage. Starting with the 40mm pebble shaped case (available in steel or red/” desert sand gold” gold, a special blend made for Laurent Ferrier) – punctuated by beautiful, yet silky smooth rounded finishes with long lugs that complement the contemporary case designs you’ve come to know from Laurent Ferrier.
As we mentioned before, the dial is really something special. Opting for a bushed satin finish over galvanic dial, adds a crescendo that compliments the spectacular case design and of course, the movement.
What more can be said of Laurent Ferrier movements? They’re beautiful and outrageously well designed and finished. The Galet Annual Calendar School Piece is no exception in that department. Starting with a Côtes de Genève motif with ruthenium treated bridges and rounded out by LF’s signature circular-graining on the mainplate. Like all LF movements, all angles are hand-beveled and even the screw heads are hand polished.
In a subtle nod to his watchmakers, Mr. Ferrier included a sunburst backdrop to the power-reserve area indication located on the back of the movement. As Mr. Ferrier well knows, the watchmaker is the real power that keeps any brand running.
Technicality
The watch is powered by Laurent Ferrier’s caliber LF126.01. This in-house designed caliber boasts a power reserve of 80 hours! While attractively finished, the movement is far greater than the sum of its 235 components. With a Laurent Ferrier on the wrist, you’ll impress novice and experienced collectors alike.
Furthermore, setting the various time indications has never been easier. With a simple push of a button on the left side of the case you can set the days of the week. While all other adjustments can be made via a simple pull and twist of the crown turning clockwise and/or anticlockwise. A notable feature is the ability to set the date and month forward and backward without the need to cycle through an entire year or month, a feature not seen on other annual calendars. No additional tools are needed.
If you look closely, you’ll see that Laurent Ferrier has used 18 carat white gold hands that are “Assegai-shaped” which lends a neo-vintage vibe. The date hand is painted in red or burgundy depending upon which case material you go with.
Summary
Further elevating their status amongst collectors and enthusiasts, Laurent Ferrier has hit a horological home run with their new Galet Annual Calendar School Piece. Measuring at 40mm diameter with a thickness of just 12.80mm this watch fits comfortably on most wrists. Seeing a Laurent Ferrier on the wrist of a collector is always a special treat, but taking it a step further and surprising your friends with the exacting time an Annual Calendar can produce, you’ll be sure to be the talking point of any party.