Galet Classic Square – Double Balance-Spring Tourbillon

Hunter-type, cushion-type, tonneau-shaped: these words are all part of the shared vocabulary of watchmaking, but the term Galet (pebble) is inextricably entwined with the world of Laurent Ferrier. Galet is the name of the brand’s first collection, unveiled in 2010 with the first model: The Galet Classic Tourbillon Double Hairspring. The latter has proved its worth since its first presentation as it was awarded by the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix in 2010.

Five years later, polished by time and shaped by experience, the ‘pebble’ is being reinterpreted. At Baselworld 2015, Laurent Ferrier unveiled the Galet Square, hosting a Micro-Rotor with a natural escapement, it was immediately awarded with the Horological Revelation Prize by the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix. On the occasion of SIHH 2016, Laurent Ferrier unveiled a new model, perfect fusion between his two creations: The Galet Classic Square Tourbillon Double Hairsping.

The brand continues to be driven by a determination to never rest on its laurels, pushing ever further its quest for independence, devoting extreme care to each detail and seeking out new arguments so as to offer only the best in all respects.

The movement’s identity

Inspired by expertise now over 200 years old, the Galet Classic incorporates an avant-garde technique that ensures exceptional precision. It is equipped with a tourbillon device conceived by Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1801, complemented by two head-to-tail mounted balance-springs in the centre of the balance. The main advantage of this construction developed by Laurent Ferrier lies in maintaining the centre of the balance firmly on its axis, while compensating for the effects of gravity. This approach guarantees the extreme reliability of the regulating system.

The calibre construction is inspired by 19th century chronometry models with their manual-winding system featuring a long-blade-type ratchet pawl system distinguished by the delicate mechanical clicking sound emitted during winding. The movement is finished with extreme care, as evidenced by the manual decoration on the tourbillon carriage bridge.

A pure horological artistry

As in the previous version, the Galet Classic maintains its trademark design features inspired by the large 19th century chronometers: the manual-winding system appears without the modern winding-stem pull-out piece spring, replaced by a “long blade” ratchet pawl with a smoothly round-polished finish hand-crafted in the in-house workshops.

This component may be admired through the back of the case, protected by a sapphire crystal that also provides views of the manual finishing of the calibre – performed in harmony with the most demanding standards of traditional Fine Watchmaking. The bridges are adorned with a Côtes de Genève motif, the mainplate is circular-grained, the sharp edges and interior angles are chamfered and hand-polished, and the screw heads are also polished.

A design in which every details is honed to perfection

Its evolution has been gentle and gradual, like the curves of minerals polished by the waves. The pebble, stemming from centuries of the incessantly repeated work of nature, embodies the purest expression of gentle shapes. For Laurent Ferrier, the Galet is the perfect integration of all parts of a case, as if one were holding a pebble in one’s hand. The whole challenge lay in preserving the spirit of the Galet, and of interpreting this new shape into the initial project without making a break with the past.

Laurent Ferrier humbly decided to approach his original Galet by starting with a blank page. Purpose and design (dessein and dessin in French) met and mingled under the swift strokes of his pencil, until a whole new shape was reached that is a first in the brand’s collections. The Galet Square is not a culminating point, but instead a new step in the ongoing affirmation of the Laurent Ferrier style. Technically speaking, the original Galet has become a square leaning towards a cushion shape. Laurent Ferrier has devoted particular attention to the aesthetic harmony of the model.

A refined aesthetics

The new Galet Classic Square Tourbillon features a subtly decorated white grand feu enamel dial. It is punctuated by a hollowed small seconds at 6 o’clock swept over by “assegai-shaped” gold hour and minute hands, along with a baton-type seconds hand. Like all Laurent Ferrier timepieces, it is perfectly readable thanks to the graphic arrangement of the roman numerals black painted.

The Galet Classic Square Tourbillon is equipped with a black alligator leather strap with Alcantara lining and finished with a pin buckle or folding two blades 18K white gold.