First shown at Baselworld in 2013, the Galet Traveller complements the Micro-Rotor collection with a modern reinterpretation of the classic fromLaurent Ferrier, a true independent manufacture. It is headed byhimself, who worked atPatek Philippefor 40 years, finishing as their creative director.

The design

The Laurent Ferrier Galet Traveller Boral, with luminous sector dial, wasreleasedin early 2016, incorporating all of the practical elements of a travel time. Sized at a contemporary 41mm, it has a distinctive amorphous, bevel-free shape. With a rounded bezel, thin lugs and the manufactures' signature onion-shaped crown, the design elements are proportionate and workwell together. The case is polished and mirror finished throughout, with the exception to the crown, which is engraved with a pattern. Integrated on the left side of the case are two oblong push-buttons, which adjust the local time.

The black sector dialis inspired bytimepieces from the late 1930s, with Superluminova applied for the chapter ring and a vertical satin-brushed finish on the dial. The sub-seconds features a circular pattern, with a fine, slate-grey minute track around the outer-edge. The arrow-shaped hour and minute hands are also enhanced with Superluminova.

These free-flowing lines are only interrupted by the date aperture at three o'clock and 24-hour home-time window at nine o'clock. The central hands shows 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.

The movement

Powered by the in-house, self-winding calibre LF 230.01, the movement combines traditional watchmaking elements, with modern innovation. Interestingly, where haute-horology often favours a manual-winding movement (uninterrupted by a rotor),Laurent Ferrierdecided 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-Rotoralso 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 interior angles are achieved through the use of a burin, and the handwork of the manufactures skilled craftsmen. It took two years to create the fully-integrated, dual-timezone mechanism and date,forthe calibre LF 230.01.

The timekeepingis equally impressive - it is chronometer-certifiedby theBesanon Observatory, outperforming its more commonly,COSC-approved peers. It also has a power reserve of 80 hours.

The set

This watch comes on one of our .It also hasitsoriginal Laurent Ferrierblack strap with green stitchings,a tan extra leatherstrap and the corresponding stainless steeltang buckle. It its accompanyied by the original inner and outer boxes and the stamped paperworkfrom Laurent Ferrier.

The watch was recently serviced by Laurent Ferrier in Geneva, in November 2020, and comes with the manufacture's full servicing warranty.

Viewings are currently suspended for the time being.

Closer look

This self-winding Laurent Ferrier Galet Traveller Micro-Rotor comes as a full set, with box and papers. The overallcondition of the watch is excellent and the movement recentlyserviced by Laurent Ferrier inNovember 2020.It comes with the manufacture's full servicing warranty, as well as a lifetime guarantee for authenticity fromA Collected Man.