Independents

kykw
493

• Show profile
• Show other posts

Getting my feet wet

Greetings to forum members. This is my first post here, and this is about my first independent purchase.

The journey to my Laurent Ferrier was a bit of coincidences. I randomly read about the brand a few years ago as I was researching for information on what would only be my second watch purchase, which certainly wouldn’t have been an independent. Naturally impressed by Mr Ferrier’s pedigree at Patek and google images I could find, I nevertheless looked up the dealer list and found that there just happened to be one near my office. I was shown the Galet classic (tourbillion double spiral). Being a novice in the collecting world then, I was nowhere near to having sufficient technical appreciation of the watch that it deserved. Still I undoubtedly walked away from the shop mesmerized by its sheer elegance. It’s remarkable something that appeared so ‘simple’ could be that nice. The brand left a very strong impression.

Fast forward to a few years later (hours of nerding out on forums and books, as well as making some acquisitions along the way). I came across this present watch as I was attending an overseas wedding. I’d learnt about the micro-rotor model already, but its other variations hadn’t quite pushed me over the edge (to be more precise, resources have been allocated to different pieces in a world where there has to be fiscal constraints). Loving the movement in this watch was a given. It’s the blue rail track and sub-seconds on the enamel dial that would seal the deal for me though. The fact that this was a limited edition to 18 was just icing on the cake. There I was with the same feeling as I did when I first encountered a Laurent Ferrier piece, except this time I’d actually done my homework.

This watch has been getting more wrist time than I’d anticipated. It looks formal but never seems out of place as long as I’m wearing a shirt. The platinum case is a little heavy, but the watch is still very comfortable and well-balanced on the wrist. The slightly domed sapphire crystal gives it a more masculine presence.

It’s a very satisfying experience to think that I’ll always be the one who enjoys this watch the most, free of meaningless judgments from those who don’t necessarily share this same passion as we do. People who see me wearing this piece don’t need to know that it has a micro rotor, natural escapement, or how well it’s finished. It’s a peace of mind that I don’t always feel with my other watches.

I’m glad to have finally contributed to my first post, and I’m looking forward to exchanging views with you guys on our hobby in the future.

Ken