SpotlightJet-Set-Go With Laurent Ferrier’s All-New Classic Traveller Globe Night Blue
The all-new Laurent Ferrier Classic Traveller Globe Night Blue is the result of precise endeavour, combining complex micro-mechanics with miniature painting and immaculate finishing—befitting the 15th anniversary of the brand
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There are very few names in the world who have excelled in their fields to attain the stature of a legend. Laurent Ferrier is one such person, having claimed this reputation in more than one walk of his life. The third-generation watchmaker, who grew up around his father’s workshop, is acclaimed for his exceptional contributions to horology, whether during his 37 years at Patek Philippe or as an independent watchmaker. Additionally, he has also left a mark on the world of motorsport—his other passion—finishing just behind the legendary Paul Newman in the 1979 ’24 Hours of Le Mans’. Both names are well-known in the world of horology. Laurent Ferrier also acknowledges that his experience in motorsport has helped him hone his skills and attention to detail as a watchmaker.
Celebrating 15 Years Of Laurent Ferrier: The Classic Traveller Night Blue
The all-new Classic Traveller Globe Night Blue is the result of precise endeavour, combining complex micro-mechanics with miniature painting and immaculate finishing—befitting the 15th anniversary of the brand. The maison’s Classic Traveller series has seen several interpretations over the years, with various finishes, materials, and colourways. Each of these has caught the eye of watch connoisseurs, and the same is true for the latest version—the Classic Traveller Globe Night Blue. Needless to say, it is an exceptional piece of haute horlogerie, and you expect nothing less from a legend who won the prestigious GPHG ‘men’s watch’ prize for his first-ever independent creation—the Classic Tourbillon Double Hairspring
Gold Dust In The Night Blue Sky
Among all the impressive details of this timepiece, what draws the most attention is the stunning dial, which takes inspiration from the 2016 Galet Traveller Globe Night Blue. In the 2016 version, the oceans were presented in translucent blue enamel, and the continents were highlighted with gold. The latest edition takes it a step further by incorporating an exquisite combination of the age-old champlevé technique and miniature painting. In the champlevé technique, the surface of the metal is etched by hand to create crevices, which are then filled with enamel to produce a stunning visual effect. The central part of the dial is crafted from a convex piece of white gold, mimicking the curvature of the Earth. The oceans are covered in opaque deep blue enamel, and specks of enamelled gold sparkle like city lights in the night sky on the blue-enamelled continents.
The outer ring of the watch face is hand-finished with a circular satin-brushed surface in slate grey, creating the impression that it’s sliding toward the central sphere, accentuating the illusion of a raised globe hovering above the dial.
The Dual-Time Function Of The Classic Traveller Night Blue
The Classic Traveller Globe Night Blue features a unique dual-time display. Time in the current time zone is indicated by the central hour and minute hands, which are controlled by two oblong pushers on the left side of the case. The top pusher moves the central hour hand forward by one hour, while the bottom pusher moves it backward by the same interval. The window at three o’clock displays the date, while the aperture at nine o’clock keeps track of home time.
Understated In 18-Karat White Gold
The watch is housed in a 41mm case, measuring 49mm from lug-to-lug and only 12.64mm thick. Made entirely of 18-karat white gold, it is topped with domed sapphire crystal. Water-resistant to 30m, it features an exhibition sapphire crystal caseback. The watch wraps around the wrist with a hand-stitched Nubuck leather strap, featuring tone-on-tone deep grey stitching. The strap also includes an Alcantara lining for improved durability and is secured with an 18-karat white gold pin buckle.
Beautifully Crafted, Brilliantly Engineered
The self-winding LF 230.02 calibre is not only an epitome of technical superiority but also a work of art. Not surprisingly, the pioneer of neo-classicism opts for traditional finishes and methods of movement decoration, executing them with utmost intricacy and attention to detail. The bridges are adorned with highly pronounced rhodium-plated Côtes de Genève, while the mainplate (ébauche) is decorated with a deep, uniform Perlage, hand-polished screw heads, and hand-bevelled interior angles. Among all these details, the 18-karat solid gold micro-rotor steals the show with its immaculately executed, intricate guilloché pattern. Upon closer inspection, another minute detail comes into play: the micro-rotor is expertly placed vertically between the geartrain to keep the watch’s thickness to a minimum.
The LF 230.02 calibre beats at a frequency of 21,600vph, regulated by a Natural escapement with double direct impulse. It features a silicon pallet-lever, while the escape wheels are made of phosphorous nickel alloy. The movement can power the watch for 72 hours, or three days, of inactivity. It is wound by an off-centred, pawl-fitted unidirectional micro-rotor with increased efficiency.
