The new workshop and current collection reveal Laurent Ferrier's current position

Laurent Ferrier has attracted the attention of watch enthusiasts around the world for their watches that combine high precision and aesthetic beauty. They recently moved their atelier from a single-family home to one floor of a larger, more modern building. What is the reason behind this move? We explore their intentions and delve into the heart of Laurent Ferrier's watchmaking, which is not only precise and beautiful, but also highly practical.

Laurent Ferrier's new home for practical and aesthetically pleasing timepieces

　Laurent Ferrier, a skilled watchmaker, spent 37 years at a famous, long-established Geneva watchmaking house. After retiring from his job, he founded the independent watchmaker Laurent Ferrier in 2009 with his old friend François Servanin and his son Christian, a mechanical engineer. The following year, they released their first product, the Galet Classic Tourbillon Double Spiral, making their presence known to watch enthusiasts worldwide.

　The production base was a house in the Plan-les-Ouates district on the outskirts of Geneva. This atelier is the ideal place for a watch enthusiast. Just imagining the skilled watchmakers working tirelessly to produce watches in a room in this old mansion makes your heart flutter.

　However, the company recently moved its atelier to a larger building in the same Plan-les-Ouates area. What does this mean?

　The reason is very clear. While a standalone atelier certainly seems ideal, in reality, each department, from component design to finishing, assembly to precision inspection, was spread out across different rooms, making smooth production difficult. The new atelier they moved to is a modern, spacious one-floor studio. Moreover, the watchmakers themselves have considered the flow of movement, creating a streamlined and comfortable environment.

　However, the basics of the production system remain the same. The principle of one watchmaker assembling and adjusting a watch from start to finish is firmly adhered to. The decoration department is crucial here. Of the 42 staff members currently employed in the atelier, 12 are specialists in decoration and 16 are watchmakers, but these watchmakers also spend 30% of their working time on finishing touches. When considering this in the context of the atelier's overall workload, approximately 70% of the team is involved in decoration work. This means that movement decoration at Laurent Ferrier occupies an extremely important position as a brand.

The barrel bridge of the Caliber LF126.02 is finished with Côtes de Genève and rhodium plating. Perlage decoration is also applied beneath the power reserve indicator, which is not visible to the owner.

The balance cock of the "Classic Origin" (Cal. LF116.01) is microblasted and then black rhodium-plated, creating a beautiful contrast with the smoothly polished edges.

　In fact, Laurent Ferrier's in-house movements, while essentially the same caliber, are available in two versions: a classic Côtes de Genève finish and a more modern version with a satin-brushed and ruthenium-plated finish, each tailored to the individuality of each model. This method of highlighting the individuality of a model through movement finishing is something rarely seen before. Furthermore, all watchmakers rotate through the process, ultimately assembling all of the company's calibers with the goal of becoming familiar with every caliber. Furthermore, depending on the caliber, two to six watches are assembled simultaneously, and quality comparisons are made between them to ensure high quality is maintained throughout the entire production process. Furthermore, all watches are assembled twice to improve precision and quality. During this process, all products are inspected several times by the watchmaking manager before completion.

The platinum micro-rotor of the Classic Auto Horizon (Cal. LF270.01) is engraved with a chevron pattern that indicates the winding direction.

A specialist in decoration polishes the edge of the bridge of the "Classic Moon" (Cal. LF126.02) by applying diamond paste to a polishing stick.

　The move to a new atelier was undertaken to realize this thorough manufacturing system at an even higher level. Laurent Ferrier apparently has a saying that serves as the brand's basic philosophy: "Happy watchmakers make the best watches." The new atelier is truly an ideal new home for watchmaking, where "happy watchmakers" can work.

The true value of nine models as seen through their movement structure

　Laurent Ferrier's in-house movements have many features, including a highly efficient natural escapement, a platinum micro-rotor, a highly accurate tourbillon, and a long-blade ratchet system modeled after classic watches. We will explain the features of these in-house movements and introduce nine models equipped with each caliber. Please use this guide to help you make informed purchase decisions and determine the model that's right for you.

Cal.LF270.01
An automatic movement with the finest aesthetics and performance

　This is Laurent Ferrier's second automatic movement, featuring a durable Swiss lever escapement. The off-center platinum micro-rotor, supported by a bridge, uses a ball bearing for unidirectional winding, ensuring high stability. The rotor is engraved with a chevron pattern indicating the winding direction or the Le Mans race record set by the brand's third-place finish. The bridges are meticulously beveled through multiple handwork processes. Features a date display. Two finishes are available: Côtes de Genève, satin-brushed, and ruthenium. Automatic winding. Swiss lever escapement. 215 components. 31 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 72 hours. Diameter 31.60mm. Height 4.85mm.

[Recommended for these people]
・Winding at the same time every day is a hassle → Automatic
・Suitable for any style, on or off → Simple round classic case
・Date display is necessary → Date display window with slope for improved visibility
・I like designs that are modest but not sober → A luxurious finish using traditional techniques, a refreshing ice blue, and a central cross line on the dial

[Recommended for these people]
・I want to use it for off-time activities such as outdoor activities → 120m water resistance, screw-down crown
・Stress-free comfort → Lightweight titanium bracelet with delicate curves
・The watch does not stand out too much on the wrist → The design is all curved and fits comfortably on the wrist
・There's a secret story behind the development that you'll want to tell everyone about → A tribute to the car's third place finish in the 24 Hours of Le Mans

Cal.LF116.01/LF126.02
A hand-wound movement with a classic watch aesthetic

　The Caliber LF116.01 is simple yet combines the highest levels of precision and aesthetics. The bridges are microblasted and black rhodium-plated. The screw balance employs a Breguet hairspring for improved isochronism. The barrel is secured with a long-blade ratchet system, providing a satisfying winding feel. The Caliber LF126.02, the first manual-winding caliber to feature a moon phase, also features a reverse-winding annual calendar. Manual winding. Swiss lever escapement. 150 components. 21 jewels. 21,600 vph. Power reserve approximately 80 hours. Diameter 31.60 mm. Thickness 4.35 mm. The Caliber LF126.02 has 266 components, 25 jewels, is 6.30 mm thick, and features Côtes de Genève and rhodium-plated finishes. A power reserve indicator is located on the back of the movement.

[Recommended for these people]
・Attractive mechanical tradition → Ball-shaped crown, long blade ratchet system
・Long power reserve is good → Power reserve of approximately 80 hours
・The design is modern and stylish → Titanium case + gradient blue dial (Classic Origin)
・For those who want to use the watch without worrying about adjusting the calendar → User-friendly annual calendar (Classic Moon)
・Attractive craftsmanship → Equipped with an elaborate moon phase display (Classic Moon)

Cal.LF619.01
A highly functional tourbillon hidden on the back of the movement

　Developed as a homage to classic high-precision timepieces from the 19th century, the Caliber LF619.01 is the foundation of the Maison. The tourbillon, supported by a gracefully curved bridge, features two opposing balance springs that compensate for the balance's shift in center of gravity, ensuring high precision. This manual-winding movement features a long-blade ratchet system for a light feel. Available in two finishes, ruthenium-coated satin finish and rhodium-plated Côtes de Genève, depending on the model. Manual winding. Swiss lever escapement. 188 parts. 23 jewels. 21,600 vph. Power reserve approximately 80 hours. Diameter 31.60mm. Thickness 5.57mm.

[Recommended for these people]
・Want to own the brand's top model? → Equipped with a GPHG award-winning tourbillon
・A unique feature not found in other brands → Double balance spring mechanism
・Attractive classic design → Classically finished dial with Grand Feu enamel (Classic Tourbillon)
A traditional complicated mechanism with a modern design → All-titanium case and bracelet + salmon pink dial (Grand Sport Tourbillon)
・There is a secret story behind the development that you will want to tell others about → A tribute to the third place finish in the 24 Hours of Le Mans (Grand Sport Tourbillon)

Cal.FBN229.01/ LF230.02
High-performance automatic movement with natural escapement

　The Cal. FBN229.01 features a unidirectional winding micro-rotor with a ratchet mechanism, and the delicate decorations on both the bridges and rotor are captivating. At its heart is a natural escapement, which maximizes energy efficiency by giving the balance two direct impulses, allowing it to restart the balance twice with one vibration. The gold rotor is a sure sign of a natural escapement. Automatic winding. 186 parts. 35 jewels. 21,600 vibrations per hour. Power reserve approximately 72 hours. Diameter 31.60mm. Thickness 4.35mm. The Cal. LF230.02 is an integrated movement incorporating a dual time mechanism. It has the same diameter, frequency, and power reserve, but has 288 parts, 44 jewels, and is 5.80mm thick.

[Recommended for these people]
If you already own a complicated mechanism with a lively dial, such as a chronograph, choose a simple dial with only delicate hands and indexes (classic or square micro-rotor).
・But I like complicated movements → Natural escapement
・The charm of artisanal craftsmanship → Champlevé enamel dial (Classic Traveler)

Laurent Ferrier store list

[Tokyo] Takashimaya Watch Maison, Tokyo Nihonbashi Tel. 03-3211-4111
Hourglass Ginza Tel. 03-5537-7888
[Kobe] Kamine Tel. 078-321-0039
[Takamatsu] Ii Isuzu Main Store Tel. 087-864-5225
[Fukuoka] Daimaru Fukuoka Tenjin Store Tel. 092-712-8181