Worth Reading
The Laurent Ferrier Galet Traveller was first shown at Baselworld in 2013, complementing the Galet Micro-Rotor collection with a modern reinterpretation of the classic travel watch. The Galet Traveller uses a natural escapement, much like the Galet Micro-Rotor, with a power reserve of 80 hours.
This model, has two dials. The one fitted to the watch, is an original prototype dial shown at Baselword 2013, with a lighter outer-track, that never went into production. This is confirmed by a 'Letter of Authenticity' from Laurent Ferrier, which accompanies the dial. The second dial, is from the standard collection. It comes in mint condition, as a full-set, with its original box and paperwork from the manufacture.
This Galet Traveller features a 41mm rose-gold, bevel-free case, thin lugs and Laurent Ferrier’s signature onion-shaped crown and rounded bezel. 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 slate-grey dial, with rose-gold, applied index-markers, seems inspired by classic Patek Philippe references from the 1940s and 50s. It has a satin-brushed finish on parts of the dial, a “sector” small-seconds sub-dial, and a fine, railway minute track around the outer-edge. The arrow-shaped hour and minute hands are enhanced with Superluminova, with a baton-shaped seconds-hand at 6 o’clock.
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.
Like the front, the case-back is covered by a sapphire crystal, to reveal the movement. The three bridges, bearing the Genevan striped motif, allow for a good view of the stunning calibre. The self-winding movement is controlled by Laurent Ferrier's unidirectional, shock-absorbing, oscillating, micro-rotor, guaranteeing a chronometer's precision and longevity. 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, this Laurent Ferrier Galet Micro-Rotor utilises a double direct-impulse escapement, that improves the movement through its ability to use less power and maintain amplitude, achieved through the escape-lever being locked down between two escape wheels. Its excellent efficiency guarantees a high amplitude for the balance, operating at a frequency of 21,600 A/h, with a depth rating of 30 metres. It took two years to create the fully-integrated, dual-timezone mechanism and date, the calibre LF 230.01.
The finishing of the movement is a major focus for the Galet Traveller, with contrasts established between the perlaged backdrop and the thick circular grained Geneva Stripes on the bridges. When viewed under a loupe, the incredibly precise finishing of the interior angles are shown, which are uniformly achieved through the use of a burin, and the handwork of the manufacture's skilled craftsmen.
The timekeeping of the Galet Traveller is impressive - chronometer-certified by the Besançon Observatory, outperforming its more commonly, COSC-approved peers. It has a power reserve of 80 hours.
This watch comes on its original brown alligator strap, and a matching rose-gold tang buckle.
Viewings can be arranged in Central London. A Collected Man is the recommended, pre-owned retailer for Laurent Ferrier.
