When you think of Laurent Ferrier, you likely envision compact, classic, sleek, and very elegant watches in neutral, soft colors. This is understandable, as this concept has been the foundation of the brand for about 10 years. However, LF recently released the Grand Sport Tourbillon - a much bolder model in a sporty style with more daring colors. Following the presentation of these watches, Laurent Ferrier aims to offer lighter, less traditional models by introducing the new colorful Montre Ecole Annual Calendar with a bright, summer combination of navy blue and orange.
As for the watch itself, there is nothing new technically or design-wise. The new Montre Ecole Annual Calendar Navy is essentially a color variation, with the same case and movement as before. Introduced in 2018, these watches were a significant step forward for the brand; they not only introduced the brand's first calendar complication but also a new base movement that would serve as the foundation for future developments.
Housed in a 40mm stainless steel case with soft and polished surfaces (like most LF watches), this new version of the Montre Ecole Annual Calendar retains the same proportions and features the same straight lugs adorned with cabochons and a round "bullet-shaped" crown.
The novelty this year is a limited edition of 10 pieces with a bold color scheme. The galvanic navy blue dial, still with a satin-finish center and circular satin-finished hour ring, is combined with orange accents on the dial and hands. Indeed, the signature Assegai hands in white gold are coated with orange lacquer, and the same color can be found on the small seconds hand and some hour indexes. Unexpected for LF, yet refreshingly so.
The same tone can be found on the orange nubuck leather strap - for a subtler look, a blue strap can be ordered.
Regarding the display and calendar module, nothing has changed. It still features the remarkable annual calendar function, which requires only one adjustment per year as it can calculate months with 30 or 31 days. The display consists of central hours/minutes, a small seconds hand, a peripheral date indicator, and two beveled windows for the day of the week and month. Laurent Ferrier Montre Ecole Annual Calendar watches are equipped with a proprietary hand-wound caliber with classic Swiss lever escapement. Powerful, with an 80-hour power reserve, it is also elegantly decorated with fine Geneva stripes, hand-polished angular bridges, and a blade for the barrel. The power reserve indicator is discreetly located on the side of the movement.
Availability and Price
The Laurent Ferrier Montre Ecole Annual Calendar Navy & Orange will be released in a limited edition of 10 pieces. The exact price has not been confirmed, but it is expected to be the same as previous steel editions of these watches, around 50,000 Swiss Francs.
More detailed information can be found on the website laurentferrier.ch.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – LAURENT FERRIER MONTRE ECOLE ANNUAL CALENDAR NAVY & ORANGE
Case: Diameter 40mm x Height 12.64mm – Polished stainless steel – Steel "bullet-shaped" crown – Sapphire crystal front and back – Water resistance 30m
Dial: Galvanic blue with vertical satin finish in the center and circular satin-finished hour ring – Assegai-shaped hands in white gold with orange or white coating
Movement: Caliber LF126.01, proprietary – Hand-wound – 31.60mm x 5.80mm – 23 jewels – Frequency 3 Hz – Power reserve 80h – Swiss lever escapement with screw balance – Hours, minutes, small seconds, power reserve on the back, annual calendar with date, day of the week, month indicators
Strap: Handcrafted nubuck leather in navy blue or orange with dark blue Alcantara lining – Stainless steel clasp
Reference: LCF025.AC.C2WO
Availability: Limited to 10 pieces
Price: Expected around 50,000 Swiss Francs
