Baselworld provided WorldTempus with a chance to talk to some of Switzerland’s independent watchmakers, of which Laurent Ferrier is one. Laurent Ferrier, the son and grandson of watchmakers, produced his first timepiece in 2010. Today the craftsman develops his own watches, overseeing everything from design to manufacture. The Geneva-based watchmaker eschews the popular quest for unusual designs and the ceaseless search for originality, advocating a return to basics, through conservative, understated design paired with mechanical innovation. We were delighted to be able to interview company CEO Vanessa Monestel.
How has 2016 started off for Laurent Ferrier?
Very well. We ended 2015 with satisfactory sales figures, and the start of 2016 has been positive so far. Thanks to our presence in the SIHH Watchmakers’ Square in January, our order book is in very good shape. And that’s great, because in previous years we haven’t achieved this level of pre-orders until at least April. Our clients and potential clients appreciated the opportunity to be able to consider their investment between the SIHH and Baselworld and, if necessary, come back to us at Basel to finalise their order.
So sales are going pretty well?
Let’s just say that our problem is being able to deliver the requested models to our clients in a timely fashion. We have to adjust the quantity we produce in order to ensure our clients can have the models they want quickly. That is our priority at the moment. Apart from that, yes, we are happy with sales for the first quarter.
What projects are in the pipeline for the rest of the year?
There are no new calibres waiting in the wings this year. But there will be plenty of creativity!
What can you tell us about being a woman CEO in a male-dominated environment?
Becoming CEO was a natural progression, given that I have been with the company for a number of years. But I agree that my career profile is somewhat unusual. I wasn’t born into the watchmaking world: I didn’t have a father, brother or husband to introduce me to this milieu. That might come as a surprise to some people. But I get results, and that’s what matters! Being CEO means being able to put yourself in the client’s shoes, understanding what they want in terms of both the products and their relationship of trust with the brand.
What can you tell us about this new interpretation of the Galet Classic Square Tourbillon Double Balance Spring Sector Dial?
This is a new version of the Galet Classic Square, a contemporary reinterpretation of pocket watches from the turn of the 20th century. The most distinctive feature of the Galet Classic Square Tourbillon Double Balance Spring Sector Dial is its square-shaped case. The dial combines a soft opaline finish in the centre with the silvery shimmer of the circular satin-brushed hour chapter.
Fitted with a tourbillon, which was designed by Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1801, along with two inverted balance springs in the centre of the balance wheel, the reinterpreted Galet Classic Square is driven by a manually-wound chronometer-certified mechanical movement. The timepiece provides hour, minute and second functions along with a tourbillon, and runs at a frequency of 3 Hz giving a power reserve of 80 hours. The diameter of the inset small seconds register at 6 o’clock, with snailed finish, has been slightly enlarged. Fitted with a hand-stitched anthracite grey alligator strap, the newest iteration of the Galet Classic Square is absolutely stunning.
