Some secrets are best shared: due to requests from customers and collectors eager to savour the view of the Galet Classic Tourbillon's spectacle not only from the movement but also from the dial, Laurent Ferrier worked on a unusual view of the tourbillon itself, visible from the bottom cage. For Laurent Ferrier, it was a challenge because he always strives to be consistent in both his horological values and aesthetic codes.
To further showcase the raison d'être of the Galet Classic Tourbillon, the task was to offer this view through the dial side, with the tourbillon remaining in its initial position. By turning around the tourbillon mechanism, we found that a new look has resulted, providing an unusual take on the most elegant of watch features.
And yet it is a truly subtle exposé, one to be appreciated by connoisseurs of tourbillons. A tourbillon's mechanical ballet is too beautiful to be hidden away, as our clients have advised us. Equally, it is too precious, too rare a creation to be presented in any manner other than one of understated grace.
For Laurent Ferrier, the only way to achieve this goal was to keep the original design intact, while creating a space to unveil the tourbillon cage from the dial-side. Through insisting that the tourbillon remain in its initial position, he was able to create a subtle and elegant version that aspired to greater transparency. This demanded a specifically-developed bridge with two arms supporting the regulating organ. This part has such a singular shape, combined with a strong functional role, that it is extremely difficult to finish: this tiny component features vertical satin-brushing, shot-blasting and hand-polishing of the sink and angles.
In a Galet Classic, the finishing on the tourbillon cage takes up to fifteen hours just for the bottom cage bridge because of the seventeen interior angles. With this new version, the decoration achievement is seen from the two sides so the interior angles are decorated on both sides. The cage, too, is extremely light and thin, providing the quest for greater transparency with another opportunity to better reveal the technicality and the high standard of decoration of the tourbillon. It achieves this by increasing the mount of space and light for the regulating organ.
Technical Specifications:
The case, in 18kt white gold (non-rhodium plated), measures 41mm x 12.7mm. It has double sapphire crystals and it is water resistant to 30 meters.
Movement is the Swiss manual-wind Laurent Ferrier in-house caliber LF 619.03 with 23 jewels, 21,600 vph and a power reserve of 80 hours. It is chronometer-certified. Tourbillon, two top-to-tail balance springs. Two Geneva-type balance-spring stud-holders. Swiss lever escapement with steel escape-wheel and lever. Variable-geometry balance with gold adjustment screws, and a peripheral tourbillon carriage driving system.
The dial has a circular satin-brushed chapter ring, silver-toned vertical satin-brushed finish in the center, accented further by a railway minutes track painted in slate grey. Roman XII in a raised, powdered silver-toned grey transfer. Whitegold with black ruthenium treated hands, Assegai-shaped.
It comes on a dark blue hand-sewn alligator leather strap with Alcantara lining, and an 18kt white gold folding clasp.
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