Insider: Laurent Ferrier Classic Moon Silver and Classic Moon Blue. One of the Most Beautiful Annual Calendars.
The Classic Moon by Laurent Ferrier, designed with meticulous attention to detail, showcases the brand's unparalleled craftsmanship. This timepiece features an elegant annual calendar, complemented by the horological marvel of a moon phase complication, a first for Laurent Ferrier. Beyond its technical prowess, the Classic Moon embodies the essence of traditional watchmaking, presenting a harmonious blend of sophistication and innovation. Each model —one in 5N 18K red gold and the other in 18K white gold— of this exquisite series highlights the intricate skills and dedication to excellence that are hallmarks of Laurent Ferrier.
Laurent Ferrier, a distinguished name in the horology world, is celebrated for its commitment to traditional watchmaking and exquisite craftsmanship. The Classic Moon Phase, one of the brand's hallmark timepieces, embodies this philosophy with its elegant design and meticulous attention to detail. Featuring a beautifully crafted overarching moon phase display, the watch harmonizes functionality with aesthetic appeal, showcasing a deep appreciation for classic style. The clean dial, paired with a refined case, illustrates the seamless integration of artistry and technical precision, making it a coveted piece for collectors and enthusiasts alike. Laurent Ferrier continues to honor the heritage of watchmaking while incorporating modern innovations, solidifying its reputation in the luxury watch segment.
Things to Know About the Watches
The Classic Moon features a round case with a classic shape measuring 40 mm in diameter and 12.90 in thickness. The cases are highly polished throughout and the Classic Moon Silver is equipped with a 5N 18K red gold case, while the Classic Moon Blue features an 18K white gold case. The watch is water resistant to 30 meters and the crown is the signature ‘Ball’-shaped crown that Laurent Ferrier uses in its Classic collection.
Now let’s focus on the Classic Moon Silver model which is our favorite from this pair. The silver vertical satin-brushed dial features Roman numerals a7 9, 12, and 3 o’clock, a double aperture at 12 o’clock for the day of the week and the month, a double moon-phase indicator for the Northern and Southern hemisphere, and a vintage-inspired peripheral date indication with numbers in petrol blue and the "31" in cherry red, just like the pointer date indicator hand.
An annual calendar watch is a sophisticated timepiece that automatically adjusts the date for each month, requiring only one manual adjustment per year, typically at the end of February. This mechanism distinguishes it from a standard calendar watch by knowing which months have 30 or 31 days, and from a perpetual calendar, which accounts for leap years and does not require any manual correction at all.
The annual calendar typically displays the date, day, and month, often presented through sub-dials or apertures on the watch dial like in the case of this Classic Moon. This feature combines practicality with elegance, making it a popular choice among watch enthusiasts who appreciate functionality without the complexity of perpetual mechanisms.
The peculiarity of the moon phase indication in this watch is that the bridge supporting the seconds’ hand is made out of a dark blue translucent Murano glass. This glass bridge features two lenses that partially or fully block the moon discs underneath serving as the indication of the different phases of the moon in both hemispheres. Additionally, the moons and stars are filled with SuperLumiNova for incredible visibility in low light conditions.
Assegai-shaped, 18K white gold hour and minute hands complete the super elegant design of the Laurent Ferrier Classic Moon timepiece. A small running seconds hand also in 18K white gold is located over the moon phase indication aperture at 6 o’clock.
The Movement
Turning the Laurent Perrier Classic Moon Silver and Classic Moon Blue reveals the exquisite in-house 266-part calibre LF126.02 powering these two watches. This manual wound movement with 25 jewels incorporates a Swiss lever escapement and offers a power reserve of up to 80 hours while beating at a frequency of 21,600 vph. The power reserve indicator is placed on the movement and visible on the case back. Much appreciated by purists, the long-blade ratchet, characteristic of Laurent Ferrier manual movements, here boasts a polished bassiné finish, handcrafted in the brand's workshops.
Each bridge is adorned with spotless Côtes de Genève decoration and rhodium treatment. The plate is embellished with beading while the edges and inner edges are chamfered and then polished by hand, just like the screw heads.
On the Wrist & Price
On the wrist, the Laurent Ferrier Classic Moon Silver wears impeccably, but we have a softer spot for the silver version as the contrasting blue and red accents on the dial make things pop a little bit more. The SuperLumiNova underneath the Murano glass moon disc indicator is the icing on the cake, however, we feel that the price of this watch is somewhat high considering this is an annual calendar and not a perpetual calendar.
The Laurent Ferrier Classic Moon Silver is delivered on a brown calf, hand-sewn, Alcantara lined strap with an 18K red gold pin buckle.
The Laurent Ferrier Classic Moon Silver presents a refined presence on the wrist, balancing elegance with comfort. With a case diameter of 40 mm and its sleek profile, it sits comfortably, making it suitable for both formal and casual occasions. The silver dial, enhanced by subtle red and blue accents, is easy to read while exuding a sense of sophistication. Its handmade leather strap complements the overall aesthetic, providing a snug fit that feels secure yet unobtrusive. The watch's weight feels reassuring without being cumbersome, allowing the wearer to appreciate its craftsmanship throughout the day.
Sticker Price CHF 80,000 Swiss Francs —approx USD 91,000. For more info on Laurent Ferrier click here.