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Why I gave up on my Laurent Ferrier
I had the limited edition LF micro-rotor with an enamel dial. The watch was my prized possession at the time, it's the one that compelled me to sign up to this wonderful forum after years of lurking around. Sadly it didn't survive the next 12 months in my watchbox. Having praised the watch in the past, it'd be disingenuous for me to not share the second part of the story.
Happier times
A few months into my ownership, I realized that the watch fell short in meeting the chronometer accuracy and the power reserve wasn't quite up to specs. It's no big deal as it probably had been sitting in the AD for a while. A quick tune-up should solve the issue. The watch was sent back to Switzerland for repair via the local AD (I bought it from an overseas AD since it's a LE for that shop). 4 weeks later, much to my disappointment, the watch was returned to me in much poorer state where there're noticable scuffs to the case. It's unclear if the scuffs were obtained during the service or through transfer. The local AD obviously had never bothered to inspect the watch prior to passing it back to me. Another service would be the only option. That was the first time I started questioning if this watch would be a keeper. Haute horlogerie is all about attention to details.
Then there's the bombshell!
Photo credit: Instagram (This is not my watch)
Photo credit: Google image (This is still not my watch)
Apparently, Laurent Ferrier had done a piece unique in steel for a client in the US. If the enamel dial on that piece wasn't a like-for-like replica to mine, let's just say it's 95% similar. Same colour tone, same blue rail track and small seconds counter, it even has the same set of hands. When I bought my watch, I bought into the notion that the design would only be shared by me and the other 17 owners of the LE of 18 platinum micro-rotor series. I had nothing against the owner of the steel piece- he's getting a fantastic design, but I just couldn't help but felt betrayed by LF for it'd killed the exclusiveness of my watch.
After a few more weeks, my watch was returned to me once again. This time it's in flawless condition. I'd maintained some communication with an executive at LF during the wait, but I never got an explanation on what'd gone wrong with the watch. By that point, there really wasn't much passion left.
Then the nail to the coffin came when I saw another steel piece with the same enamel dial.
Photo credit: Martin Pulli
What I thought was an LE might as well be a regular production piece... A deal was soon made, and I was done with my Laurent Ferrier phase.
This happened nearly a year ago. I've been withholding on sharing this encounter publicly because I genuinely would like to see the brand succeed, but enough time has passed. While I don't regret having fallen for my old LF (it's still one of the finest automatic 'simple' watch in my opinion), I just don't miss owning it.
Wish I could love this brand again in the future.
Ken
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Why I gave up on my Laurent Ferrier
I had the limited edition LF micro-rotor with an enamel dial. The watch was my prized possession at the time, it's the one that compelled me to sign up to this wonderful forum after years of lurking around. Sadly it didn't survive the next 12 months in my...
Luxury's disappointments
I personally do not give a bit to "exclusivity". It is all a marketing tool and nothing else. In your case I fail to see your disappointment fully: an enamel dial can't stay limited in use. I feel you had too high expectations? Best Moritz
I can see the OP’s disappointment perfectly – the other dials could’ve had black printed minute track and seconds sub-dial.
And even if the OP was under the impression that the enamel part of the dial was to remain exclusive to those 18 watches, why isn’t that reasonable? White dials can be achieved without enamel (LF has already done a porcelain LE Gallet Square), so it could...
The use of enamel dial certainly wouldn't be exclusive to my old watch
My disapointment was about how similar the 2 dials looked between my LE and the other non-LE. In fact, LF first used enamel dials in its galet classic series (the tourbillon), but I haven't seen any that had the same colour tone. Thanks for your comment, ...
Thanks for sharing
Your experiences, good and bad. I’m curious...you mentioned accuracy in your comments...was this issue resolved during the service? What was performance like before/after? Best, Brandon
The issue was completely resolved the second time around
Prior to the first service, the watch was about 10 seconds slow per day. It had about a day and a half power reserve. The specs was 72 hours. The watch was within 2 seconds per day with full power reserve post service. Ken
I understand your position
a wouldn’t be pleased at all. But times are tough for all watch companies including the Independents. I remember the same happened with Voutilainen when he introduced the “bridge” for a he peseux 260. In the end the question is 1. Did you pay a premium fo...
It was a combination of factors that led to the disappointment
Thanks, Dirk. 1. Yes. I did pay a premium, regardless of whether it's a 'marketing ploy' that I'd fallen for... never bought the watch for the value retention purpose, but it did hurt. 2. Wouldn't call the LF a grail watch just because there're too many w...
Thank you for sharing this story, and yes, such should not happen...
Neither the service issue (ok, we're all humans), but certainly not the over-proliferation of your limited dial. I could imagine a theoretical answer by the manufacturer stating that technically no regular watch with your specific combination of movement/...
Laurent Ferrier is still a brand I admire, maybe someday...
Thanks for your understanding, Magnus. Credit to to LF, the watch was restored to its full capacity at its second attempt. Ken
None of those others posted look as good as your ex.
...but I can see why you might be a bit put off to the watch. On to something new/different!
You're correct. Good eye! But I find the level of similarity unacceptable.
Thanks for making the observation, Raymond. I'm aware that this makes me sound petty. I only wish the differences would be more noticeable. Ken
No, you're not petty....I can understand the special feeling of exclusivity....
But sometimes, the subtle and minor details can bring some surprises and that is nice too. Anyway, you have move on and there will always be special watches available. Rgds Raymond
I can understand
but I would not be too disappointed with the LE issue. Yours is still a limited issue as it is in platinum and the dial is not exactly the same as in the others. My main concern would be the damage to the watch after the initial service and the accuracy n...
Yes, the accuracy issue was resolved.
Thanks for the comment, Poky. I can understand your argument. My view is that LF being an indepedent with a small production, I expected its LE to count for a liltt more. Let's put it in another context, could we foresee LF reproducing the Hodinkee LE lay...
I can see your point now;
a limited edition for a small independent brand should be limited not similar to the others. We are not talking about little money here either.
I can understand your feeling about these other timepieces even if they’re not exactly the same than yours (indexes and metal). For me, you own a true LE but ok, LF is not really fair here with you and the 17 other owners
Regarding you service experience, the main thing for me is that everything ended well. I think we have all suffer bad experiences sometimes with our beloved watches. But, in the end, everything returned to normal and that’s the main thing. Best wishes Alk...
If I didn't find out the steel pieces, I'd probably still have mine.
Thanks for your comment as always, Alkiro. It wasn't my objective to highlight how LF might have done me wrong. I just wanted to document how I fell out of love with a piece that I'd previously adored. I'm sure other collectors must have similar disappoin...
I feel your thoughts , but like others also say i dont care about all that LEs .
Its all a tool to sell watches , for me its about what feeling a watch gives me , if its good it stay , if not its gone . Ofcourse the service from the brand is also importent . Still the mean part is the watch itself imho .
If I didn't go in with the mindset that it's a LE, it most likely would've stayed.
Thanks for your comment. Another lesson learned about watch marketing... Ken
I also find the limited edition not really compromised...
... the dial is still distinctive due to the Roman numerals. The damage can easily have happened at the AD, whoever has been responsible, it should not have found the way back to you in that condition without being detected. However, besides all factual e...
Parting ways is the best solution- that's exactly my thought
Thanks for your comment, Henrik. The LF is a mighty fine watch. Like I said before, I definitely don't regret owning it. Getting to know the watch and to observe it up close was a huge pleasure. But once the passion is gone, it's time to move onto the nex...
In this day, and in this market, your expectations were unrealistic.
I am not criticizing you in any way. But LF is not, by any means, the only brand to make subtle changes to its LEs to sell more watches. "LE" is marketing only. It means nothing as far as as the amount of watches a brand may manufacture, which are in ever...
Live and learn
Thanks for the savvy words, Padj. Now I'll be more careful with so called LEs in the future. I guess marketing does work... Ken
On the bright side, the turnaroud for the service was pretty quick.
It only took about a month each time. Thanks for the comment, Ronald. Ken
Ken...I think
you should consider getingt the Credor eichi 2 Super accurate and somewhat similar vibe with your LF.
The eichi 2 is definitely on my radar.
Thanks for the very nice suggestion, CL. Unfortunately I've yet to see one in metal.
I think LE are pointless when it comes to Independants
because most of them are willing to customize your watch for you, for a modest fee or if you are lucky, free of charge. most important was the customer service and the watch was fixed and in good condition when you got it back. Glad you have moved on but ...
Commitment goes both ways
Thanks for your comment, Winston. The fundamental argument lies in whether I should've expected the piece to remain 'relatively unique' when I paid a premium for what was sold to me as such. Customization/creating my piece unique would be an option, and i...
Gronefeld makes some very fine watches.
Thanks for the suggestion! I have a slight preference for the parallax tourbillon over the remontoire in its lineup, too bad it won't fit me as I wear my watch on the right wrist. Ken
They are a business after all
They don't charge the prices to make a truly piece unique on a time only enamel dial. We all know the story about Kari too and how the brand grew. It's the difference between getting a one off piece from an artisan (say, for example, customizing a newly c...
There're different ways to running a business
Thanks for your comment. Of course it's a business. In spite of my disappointment, I truly hope that they make a healthy profit from selling their pieces, because it's the only way they'll keep creating new ones. One of the appeals for indies (to me anywa...
Just saying
I guess my comments is worthless when I have a WG DayDate with a Platinum dial. LOLOL
Very big disappointment
I'm sorry about your situation. Thanks for sharing. Lesson learned for me.
It's good that we all share good, and some not so good experience.
Thanks for reading, Jim.
Thanks for posting your story..here is my view on this matter and LE in general
I like the idea of limited pieces and I can see how you feel betrayed but what happened. This said I can tell you from my own experience (from a piece unique) that LE are not that much fun after all. The idea to have something that only a few selected num...
It isn't just because of the steel piece.
Thanks for sharing your view, Christian. You're right that the chance of meeting someone with the same LF (platinum or steel) would be slim. It'll most likely lead to a fun conversation even in such case. The key issue for me here is commitment (on both s...
There are many reasons why we fall out of love with a watch, and I think these are valid ones
1. white dial in steel looks an awful lot like white dial in platinum (no longer limited but much cheaper too) 2. service issues twice 3. general sense of disappointment and disillusionment with the brand I've had these feelings several times and in both ...
Collecting is made more interesting because we all have different views and preferences.
Thank you for the great summary, Cazalea. We definitely don't buy watches just to tell time! Ken
Thanks for sharing your story!
I understand how you feel. Once the “magic feeling” goes - the mojo is lost.
Sympathy
Hello, I fully understand your disappointment. Limited editions are limited editions and so they should be. There aren't any longer "limited" if what constitutes their exclusivity is reproduced thereafter. Your sensitivity to this dimension was probably a...
Going directly to a source is definitely an option worth considering in the future. Will be in touch for your advice.
Thanks Z. As for ADs, there're good ones, and others that frankly add very little value. For example, the dealer who sold me the LF was instrumental in helping me understand independent watchmaking. He showed me pieces that I would only see online, and se...
I had similar experiences
with many top brands. Attention to detail is often not there. I gave up on watches in the early 90's too many headaches. Got back in around 2010 and it seems better.
There are two things in your post which are very interesting.
1/ The Fact that LF took care of your watch. Good point. There are too often disappointments on that matter that when a normal treatment happens, it seems extraordinary while it is just normal. 2/ The notion of exclusivity. I do get your point, but I lear...