Laurent Ferrier’s Galet Micro Rotor is a timepiece that distinguishes itself by offering genuine horological innovations to devotees of fine mechanisms. The watch features an in-house movement of atypical and visually gratifying technical attributes. The Galet Micro Rotor cultivates this distinction by featuring three exclusive characteristics – a micro rotor pawl-fitted automatic winding system fixed between the main plate and the micro rotor bridge; a silicon escapement with double direct impulse on the balance; and a silent block shock protection system for the micro rotor.
The harmonious construction of this new timepiece stems from the global approach envisaged for each of the movement parts, from development through to realization. The technical specifications are extremely rigorous, since Laurent Ferrier refuses any compromises in this domain.
The automatic winding system was invented in the late 18th century and takes advantage of the watch wearer’s arm movements to wind the barrel spring and thus store up the energy required to run the mechanism. The device has been constantly used and enhanced ever since.
The current trend towards reducing the thickness of cases calls for even slimmer movements, which implies finding technical solutions that are thinner but just as efficient. Hence the value of examining the architecture of a smaller-sized micro rotor type automatic- winding system. The challenge facing Laurent Ferrier was to define a functional balance between the limited thickness of an automatic movement and a high degree of efficiency for winding the barrel.
Achieving this required, finding a system ensuring perfect winding, in order to compensate for the lower inertia of a small oscillating weight. In fact a micro rotor needs as twice as many rotations (300 vs. 150) needed for one complete turn of the ratchet wheel.
The curve of the solid white or red gold case reflects the pure, restrained Laurent Ferrier style. It echoes the smooth pebble shape of the large understated and sophisticated models of 19th century horological history, and particularly that of pocket-watches. It is fitted with a ball- shaped winding-crown to facilitate handling. The case back is snap-fastened and can be removed by the watchmaker thanks to the olivette. Its water resistance is guaranteed to a depth of 30 meters.
