Laurent Ferrier took the watch world by storm with the introduction of the Galet Classique, a superbly classical yet suave timepiece with a phenomenally gorgeous and painstakingly hand decorated tourbillon movement that could be admired from the back.
Ferrier spent almost all his professional career at Patek Philippe as technical director in charge of product development, but at an age where his colleagues were leaving on a well-deserved retirement, decided to embark on a new adventure filled with adrenaline: creating his dream watch with no shred of compromise.
The present Galet Secret has the complete Ferrier genetic codes and more. The large curvaceous case has a tactile elegance, the tourbillon movement features a double hairspring balance, which consists of two hairsprings one atop the other but beating in opposite directions, one spring erasing the variations of the other permitting greater accuracy. This particular lot also features an integrated loupe in the sapphire crystal of the back enabling one to better admire the superlative finish of the tourbillon.
The dial side nevertheless has nothing to shy from as it is a true work of art in all senses. As the name implies the present watch hides a secret behind the tinted sapphire dial. A complex device pivots the dial’s two opaque crystals at a full 240° like a fan opening to reveal a grand feu enamel dial representing Mikhail Vrubel “Demon Seated”.
The dial aperture can open or close on demand or at the time the owner wishes, in this case at 8 o’clock the system starts switching over the display until its complete unfold in 60 minutes. The enamel dial will remain visible for twelve hours until the sapphire apertures start closing. The time of opening of the dial can be modified at the request of the owner.
“Demon Seated” one of Vrubel’s (1856-1919) masterpieces which is on permanent exhibition at Moscow’s Tretyakov Gallery. The Demon has been central in Vrubel’s work, a character representing not evil but love and death. In “Demon Seated” (1890) Vrubel depicts a solitary and sensitive demon in angular traits and vibrant colors.
To reproduce this masterpiece the enamel artist used the grand feu enamel technique, a painstaking and difficult task requiring immense dexterity and expertise.
It is important to note that Laurent Ferrier offers a full complementary servicing of this Galet Secret to the new owner.
The present lot is a marvel of finesse and a bold declaration of the functionality of art and has its place in any collection as the proud representative of contemporary independent watchmaking.