SIHH 2019:

Laurent Ferrier Launches the Bridge One with a Brand New Caliber and Case Construction


Laurent Ferrier has revealed two timepieces at SIHH 2019 that feature a completely new case construction and movement. The septuagenarian watchmaker, who won the Men’s Complication prize at the GPHG 2018 for the Galet Annual Calendar School Piece, is known throughout the watch industry for his technical mastery as well as the certain level of horological whimsy he injects into each one of his designs.

The new watch, officially released this morning, hints at the start of a new line of timepieces for the watchmaker. Given the name Bridge One, the watch is directly influenced by the Passerelle de I’Ile, a bridge in Geneva that Mr. Ferrier had a view of from his childhood bedroom.

A quick glance at the case structure of the new watch reveals its unusual construction. The middle area is directly influenced by the dynamic structure of the bridge, while the non-linear appearance of the lugs aid in the watch’s on-the-wrist feel as well as its overall neo-classic look. Based off its architectural inspiration, the watch uses stainless steel as its primary material. The crown is, as is typical of a Laurent Ferrier timepiece, fluted and shaped like a globe. The sapphire crystal is domed and has a slight smoked finish to it, adding a dash of vintage appeal to the watch.

As mentioned, the caliber inside this unique timepiece is entirely new and developed in-house by Ferrier and his small team to fit within the rectilinear case. Given the name LF107.01, the manually winding 137-piece, 21-jewel caliber offers up an 80-hour power reserve with a Swiss lever escapement and beats at 21,600 vph. As always with Laurent Ferrier’s work, the finishing is meticulous and is perfected to his superlative standards. In addition to Côtes de Genève with a ruthenium treatment adorning the bridges and the circular graining of the main plate, the sides and interior angles are hand chamfered and the screw heads are polished.

Two different iterations have been unveiled at SIHH 2019. One model features an enamel Grand Feu white dial with slate-gray enameled Roman numerals and no seconds indicator. The second model has a grained slate-gray dial with a raised marker at 12 o’clock and a baton-shaped small seconds made of white gold at 6 o’clock for to-the-second timekeeping. Both models feature assegai-shaped hour and minute hands. You have your choice of either a Honey Timberland leather or Honey alligator strap with Alcantara lining with either a pin buckle or double blade folding clasp.

The Laurent Ferrier Bridge One is sized at 30 mm by 44 mm and has a water resistance rating of 30 meters. The price has not yet been confirmed.

Click here to read our in-depth profile on Laurent Ferrier.

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