New: Laurent Ferrier École Annual Calendar Navy

Laurent Ferrier revisits his École Annual Calendar, offering a new variation in a resplendent in a new blue dial with splashes of orange, coupled with a bright orange or blue Nubuck strap. Offered in a limited edition of only ten pieces, each of them numbered and engraved as “Série Atelier II”.

Press Release information with commentary in italics

Commentary

The Laurent Ferrier Galet École Annual Calendar was first introduced in Baselworld 2018, as a steel watch in a new (to LF) case. The 2018 release comprise of 2 case variations in either pale yellow gold or white gold, as well as in stainless steel. The series was limited to 50 movements in total.

Laurent Ferrier won the Men’s Complication prize at the 2018 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. This watch was inspired by Laurent’s original montre école.

A further 3 case variations was released in 2019 in 18K / 750 5N red gold, 18K / 750 yellow gold or stainless steel with two dial options in opaline black or white. A further variant in a galvanic blue dial exists.

This new release is another limited edition in a steel case, with a blue dial, coupled with a brilliant orange strap.

Everything else remains the same as earlier renditions. Which can be a bad or a good thing. Bad because it is just a variant, with no new horological innovation. Good because it uses the same highly decorated and finished Calibre 126.01. And also good because it provides collectors another opportunity to acquire a Laurent Ferrier Annual Calendar, and in a rather beautiful colour way. And at a price which is the same as for the 2018 release. After all, it has been 3 years, and Laurent Ferrier has taken no measures to account for inflation. Add to this the relative rarity of a 10 piece limited edition, that we think keeping the CHF 50k asking price at an even keel is a commendation to manufacture

Also interesting as an afternote that in these pandemic times, where travel and even visits to local brick and mortar shops may not always be one’s best interest, the new Laurent Ferrier École Annual Calendar Navy is offered only via their internet shop.

Introducing the Laurent Ferrier École Annual Calendar Navy

Retail price Laurent Ferrier École Annual Calendar Navy Ref. LCF025.AC.C2WO is set at CHF 50,000 before taxes. Limited Edition of 10 pieces in stainless steel case. The 2018 edition had a retail of CHF 55,000 for the gold models, and CHF 50,000 for the stainless steel case. However, the 2019 models were priced at CHF 50,000 for all models, regardless of the case material.

LF SWITCHES TO SUMMERTIME.

This most recent creation is housed in the École-shaped case of the Maison. The name derives from the case made by Laurent during his studies at watchmaking school, which inspired him to create a new version, many years later.

The two-zone blue dial of this new reference features a contrasting vertical satin-brushed centre, and circular satin-brushed hour ring. Blue, often associated with dreams and peace of mind, but also a symbol of the sky and sea, is ultimately a colour widely used in both traditional and contemporary watchmaking. Here, it is the product of a galvanic metal treatment process. One of Laurent’s favourites, most of his collection showcases this colour. As always with Laurent Ferrier timepieces, the intensity of the colour varies with the light. Shades are at times dark and captivating, while at others, clear and refreshing, while further enhanced by intense reflections.

In the wake of its big brother, the Grand Sport Tourbillon, the École Annual Calendar Navy offers a more contemporary and sporting appearance compared to earlier versions. Quintessentially associated with aviation or the navy, vibrant orange here adorns the 18K white gold hands, providing the timepiece with optimal legibility and a compelling look.

The École Annual Calendar Navy boasts a long list of features which together make it a unique timepiece. The time is indicated with LF iconic hands stamped in “Assegais” shape. A snailed small seconds dial placed at 6 o’clock gives character to the composition, while two bevelled apertures, positioned at 12 o’clock, display the day and the month. Finally, the date is indicated by a hand coated in white accompanied by vintage-inspired numerals, on the edge of the dial. The whole offers the full array of information required for daily life while remaining uncluttered and with no unnecessary adornment.

A USEFUL COMPLICATION

As the name suggests, this watch is equipped with an annual calendar. This complication recognises months with 30 and 31 days, progressing automatically to the 1st of the month as appropriate. Manual adjustment is required only once a year, on the 1st of March. The day display is easily set through a pusher on the left side of the case, at 10 o’clock. All the other settings are easily controlled by a pull of the crown and rotating it accordingly, with no need for any tools.

THE LATEST EDITION OF THE “ÉCOLE” CASE

The École case, inspired by Laurent’s studies while a younger man, also pays tribute to period pocket watches, from the time when pioneer watchmakers began transforming them into wristwatches. The “Série Atelier II” will be the last reissue of this case, since Laurent Ferrier has decided to realign his collection by focusing on iconic cases: the Classic, the Square and the Grand Sport.

As always, the “ball”-shaped crown, the emblematic signature of the Maison, offers all the ease of a smooth and very pleasant winding.

Calibre 126.01

The calibre 126.01 is at the heart of the “Série Atelier II”. This hand-wound movement incorporates a Swiss lever escapement and offers a power reserve of up to 80 hours. The power reserve indicator is placed on the movement and visible on the caseback. Much appreciated by purists, the long-blade ratchet, characteristic of Laurent Ferrier manual movements, here boasts a polished bassiné finish, handcrafted in the brand’s own workshops.

Laurent Ferrier is renowned for unmatched finishes. The sapphire crystal on the back of the École Annual Calendar Navy reveals both the mechanism and the finesse of its state-of-the-art manual finishes, carried out according to the most demanding criteria of traditional fine watchmaking. Each bridge is adorned with spotless Côtes de Genève decoration, and ruthenium plating. The plate is embellished with beading while the edges and inner edges are chamfered and then polished by hand, just like the screw heads. The art of watchmaking in its purest form.

The École Annual Calendar Navy is presented on a hand-sewn bracelet in orange or navy Nubuck leather (based on your choice) with a navy Alcantara lining.

Designed to be worn on any occasion, the “Série Atelier II” limited edition of only ten pieces will be available exclusively from Atelier Laurent Ferrier on their website via the address in this link.

Laurent Ferrier École Annual Calendar Navy Specifications

Série Atelier II – Limited edition of 10 pieces
REF: LCF025.AC.C2WO

TECHNICAL DATA
Movement
⦁ Manual-winding LF126.01 calibre
⦁ Swiss lever escapement
⦁ Screw balance
⦁ Indicators: central hours and minutes. Small seconds at 6 o’clock, power reserve indicator on the movement side. Date:
⦁ Central hands for the date
⦁ Day disc and month disc (automatic adjustment for 30- and 31-day months). Only one correction necessary on 1 March)
⦁ Semi-instantaneous calendar. Semi-instantaneous counters for days and months.
⦁ Clockwise and anti-clockwise calendar adjustment in the middle position
⦁ Diameter: Ø 31.60 mm (14’’’)
⦁ Thickness: 5.80 mm
⦁ Frequency: 3Hz (21,600 vibrations/hour)
⦁ Power reserve: 80 hours
⦁ Number of components: 235
⦁ Number of jewels: 23

AESTHETIC DATA
Case
⦁ Stainless steel
⦁ Dimension: Ø 40 mm diameter
⦁ Thickness: 10mm (12.64 mm on sapphire)
⦁ Water resistant to 30 metres
⦁ Crown: stainless steel “Boule”-shaped

Dial
⦁ Galvanic blue vertical satin-brushed in the centre and circular satin-brushed hour ring
⦁ Vintage-inspired date numerals and grey powder-coated hour ring and “31” in light blue
⦁ Small seconds at 6 o’clock, with circular satin-brushed outer ring and fine azurage in the centre
⦁ Bevelled counters for days and months at 12 o’clock

Hands
⦁ 18K/750 white gold 210 Pd
⦁ Hour and minute: orange-coated, ”Assegai”-shaped
⦁ Seconds: orange-coated, “Baton”-type
⦁ White-coated, ”Assegai”-shaped date

Strap
⦁ Choice of hand-sewn navy or orange Nubuck leather, navy Alcantara lining
⦁ Stainless steel pin buckle