Laurent Ferrier Galet Traveller LF 230.01, White Gold

This Laurent Ferrier Galet Traveller Micro-Rotor is sized at a contemporary 41mm, and has a distinctive amorphous, bevel-free shape. The white gold case features a rounded bezel, thin lugs and the manufactures' signature onion-shaped crown, which work proportionately well together. The entire watch is polished and mirror finished, while the crown itself engraved with a pattern. Integrated on the left side of the case are two oblong push-buttons, which adjust the local time.

The subtly textured blue dial is accented with white-painted, white-gold, applied index markers - corresponding harmoniously with Laurent Ferrier’s ‘Assegai’-shaped hands that are finished in the same way. The index markers and hands are subtle in form, and correspond harmoniously in shape. Between the applied indexes, a light blue tone is used to mark the minutes on the outer track.

These free-flowing lines are only interrupted by the date aperture at three o'clock, the sub-seconds register at six o'clock, and the 24-hour home-time window at nine o'clock. The latter is not linked to the date function, making it a sensible take on what a GMT should do, referencing the home-time only, but not the date. Consequently, it is the central hands that show the local time, and these can be incrementally adjusted in both directions. This intuitive system allows the Galet Traveller to be quickly and easily adjusted. On a flight from London to New York, five pushes of the lower button would set the watch to the exact local time upon landing.

Powered by the in-house, self-winding calibre LF 230.01, the watch has an incredibly high-quality movement that combines traditional watchmaking, with modern innovation. Interestingly, where haute-horology often favours a manual-winding movement that’s not blocked by a rotor, Laurent Ferrier decided that contemporary needs, called for an automatic movement. The solution was the incorporation of a micro-rotor as a winding mechanism, allowing the architecture of the movement to be shown completely. The fan-shaped micro-rotor is made of solid gold and is suspended by a large bridge, together, intended to create the impression of a bird standing on one foot. Furthermore, it uses a pawl, allowing it to wind in a unidirectional manner, adding efficiency and reliability.

Impressively, the Galet Micro-Rotor also utilises a double direct-impulse escapement, which improves the efficiency of the movement through its ability to use less power and maintain amplitude, achieved through the escape-lever being locked down between two escape wheels. The finishing of the movement is a major focus, with contrasts established between the perlage backdrop and the thick circular-grained Geneva Stripes on the bridges. The incredibly precise finishing of the interior angles is achieved through the use of a burin, and the handwork of the manufacture’s skilled craftsmen. It took two years to create the fully-integrated, dual-timezone mechanism and date, the calibre LF 230.01.

The timekeeping is equally impressive - it is chronometer-certified by the Besançon Observatory, outperforming its more commonly, COSC-approved peers. It also has a power reserve of 80 hours.

This watch comes on one of our Oslo grey suede straps. It also comes with its original dark-blue alligator strap and corresponding white-gold tang buckle, as well as its accompanying box and original paperwork.

Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.

Closer look

Brand:	Laurent Ferrier
Model:	Galet Traveller Micro-Rotor
Movement:	mechanical automatic Cal. LF 230.01
Functions:	dual-timezone, date, hours, minutes, sub-seconds
Features:	display back, blue dial
Case:	41 mm white gold
Crystal:	sapphire, front and back
Bracelet:	Oslo suede strap, dark-blue Laurent Ferrier alligator strap with Laurent Ferrier white-gold tang buckle
Year:	November 2016
Box & papers:	original box and papers from Laurent Ferrier

This self-winding Laurent Ferrier Galet Traveller Micro-Rotor comes as a full set, with box and papers. The overall condition of the watch is good, with minor scuffing throughout consistent with regular wear (most noticeable on the bezel and lugs). It is guaranteed for authenticity and comes with a two-year warranty from A Collected Man.