Ask collectors who some of the best independent watchmakers today and chances are you will hear ‘Laurent Ferrier’. Famed for working at Patek Philippe as creative director for 40 years and for placing third at the 1979 24 Hour Le Mans race, today he is known for his Haute Horlogerie with his eponymous brand. Making several dozen pieces only a year, to own a Laurent Ferrier is quite a special experience.

The Gallet Square was a follow up to the hugely popular and more traditional, round cased, Gallet Micro-Rotor. Featuring the same impressive movement, the Square came with a brand new cushion style case design that was a bit more unusual. Nevertheless, on the wrist at 40mm, this Gallet Square sits excellently and is just as appropriate as a dress watch as it is for something more casual. This particular example is special as it houses one of the more beautiful dials that Laurent Ferrier produces. It is very hard to photograph or to describe as one must really see it shimmering in the light to appreciate it, but the closest I can get is that it is some sort of a sunburst straw color. With a sub-seconds at 6 o’clock, a ghosted logo subtly placed above and only four long applied hour markers, this particular Galet Square is an exercise in minimalism. Furthermore, this example was custom ordered by the previous owner with additionally applied dots added to each hour to improve legibility. The normal production models do not feature this and I do think it makes it just that bit more special.

While I can hark on about how beautiful the dial is, it is the movement that really made people fall in love with Laurent Ferrier in the first place. The finishing and architecture of his watches are some of the best in the business and with this example, it is no different. The Cal. 229.01 micro-rotor movement is what made Laurent Ferrier famous when they first launched and to this day, it is still one that I admire. I don’t think I have to explain too much, the photos will do the talking and show how amazing the finishing is.

Laurent Ferrier makes some of the most beautiful and understated dress watches in the market today, and not many people will know what it is. It only takes someone to feel and try the watch to know that it is pure quality.