Galet Secret Genève

This one-of-a-kind edition of the Galet Secret offers a splendid demonstration of the skill of Laurent Ferrier, always extremely sensitive to artistic craftsmanship. At its heart beats the reliable and efficient double balance-spring tourbillon calibre, chronometer-certified by Besançon Observatory and housed within a solid white gold case. A first opaque black sapphire dial opens onto a second secret dial revealing a painting on mother of pearl highlighting a white gold applied steamboat symbol of the Leman lake with an engraved sapphire showing the lake surface with waves. The case is also engraved on both sides at 3 and 9 to give the impression of waves.

An ingenious complication

The Galet Secret is equipped with the famous double balance-spring tourbillon designed, developed, assembled and adjusted in Laurent Ferrier workshop. The double balance-spring, serving as a complement to the tourbillon mechanism that compensates for the effects of gravity, ensures extreme rating accuracy.

An ingenious device serves to open and close the dial by a fan-like rotation of two opaque sapphire crystals. The window opens à la demande: by pressing a push-button placed on the crown, the two opaque sapphire crystals instantly pivot to reveal all the beauty of the dial. The window may also open au passage: the mechanism is activated daily at a predefined time that is chosen by the owner and set by the watchmaker during movement assembly. Like a sunrise or sunset, it takes a full hour for the dial to be entirely unveiled or concealed.

Meticulous attention to details

The movement finishing is equally meticulous. The main plate and bridges are decorated, the screws are polished, the calibre features no less than 30 hand-crafted interior angles – a finish performed in keeping with the finest watchmaking traditions. The finesse of this work is revealed exclusively through the sapphire crystal case-back, confirming a deliberately subtle and discreet attitude.
This transparent case-back also reveals the tourbillon mechanism, which thus remains protected from daylight and placed in a position ensuring its ideal operation. The movement is hand-wound and guarantees an over 80-hour power reserve, corresponding to over three days.

Finally, the solid white gold case echoes the “pebble” (galet in French) shape of the large, refined and understated models of 19th century watchmaking, notably the pocket watches. Witness the ball-shaped crown as well as the disappearance of the winding-stem pull-out piece spring, replaced by a lever. This aesthetic feature has become a trademark feature on all watches bearing the Laurent Ferrier signature.