If there’s one positive thing that’s come from the pandemic – horologically speaking that is – it’s the adoption of online selling from some serious heavy hitters of the watch world. Even Patek has started offering a few pieces from a distance and now it’s the turn of Laurent Ferrier. In fact, digitally is the only way you can grab their latest release.
For Laurent Ferrier, this is a relatively big step. The watchmaker’s finishing is up there with the best, but finishing is something much better appreciated in person, no matter how high resolution your imagery. Fortunately, the École Annual Calendar is a handsome enough watch to speak for itself, especially with its new, online-exclusive navy dial.
For a brand that usually favours champagne, salmon and white dials, the more classical aisle of potential colour gradients, the navy is a nice change. What’s perhaps cooler are the flashes of bright orange across the board, from the central minutes and hours and small seconds hands to the orange nubuck strap.
It’s the brightest École Annual Calendar to date, but it’s still the same watch, meaning a mix of charming, vintage-inspired numerals, a peripheral date read off the white central hand and a sector dial splitting the navy dial into four. Date and month are in nicely sized windows just above the maison’s name either side of the 12 o’clock sector line.
Inside is the LF126.01 manual-wind movement with its 80-hour power reserve that’s finished with the kind of lavish attention to detail only a serious horologist can muster. I’m not going to say it’s better-looking than the dial, but it’s a close run thing.
Paired with the 40mm stainless steel case with those striking lugs and oversized crown, this is a welcome, contemporary twist on a Laurent Ferrier classic. Unfortunately, there are only 10 of them available.
While I appreciate the equal access approach to Laurent Ferrier offering some serious watchmaking online, 10 pieces is very much a toe in the water. Hopefully, these sell and hopefully Laurent Ferrier commit a little more next time, because if it’s anywhere near as handsome as the École Annual Calendar Navy, I’ll want it. A lot.
Price & Specs:
Model: Laurent Ferrier École Annual Calendar Navy
Reference: LCF025.AC.C2WO
Case/Dial: 31.60 mm diameter, stainless steel, galvanic blue vertical satin-brushed dial
Water resistance: 30m (3 bar)
Movement: Calibre LF126.01, manual winding, 23 jewels, 235 parts
Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)
Power Reserve: 80h
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds at 6 o’clock, power reserve indicator, central hands for the date, day/month display
Strap: Navy or orange Nubuck leather
Price/Availability: CHF 50,000 (excl. taxes), limited to 10 pieces
More details at Laurent Ferrier.
