Introducing: The Laurent Ferrier Classic Traveller Globe Night Blue

February 22, 2025

Your favorite watchmaker's favorite watchmaker, Laurent Ferrier, celebrates the 15th anniversary of his eponymous brand with a new iteration of what we at Hodinkee see as his flagship modelthe Classic Traveller. It is one of the industry's most visually captivating, classically styled world-time watches and the platform on which we created a Hodinkee Limited Edition in 2017. While we have not had a chance to go hands-on with this new edition, I am quite familiar with that 2017 LE, and I can confidently say it is among the best fifteen modern watches I have ever handled. Like that Hodinkee LE, today's Globe Night Blue riffs on a blue dial and white metal case motifwhich makes sense given Laurent Ferrier's traditional, buttoned-up styling. It differs from the Hodinkee piece and previous top-tier Traveller iterations, like the original U.S. Limited Edition and Globe Night Blue, in the handcrafts exhibited on the dial. Rather than simple champlev enameling, Laurent Ferrier has reworked the Traveller-fitting map with a mix of miniature painting and that same enameling process to enhance realism and depth. The dial's center portion is made of gold and convex in shape to enhance the globe-esque feel further and generally draw your eye. All five continents and the oceans are depicted in blue and deep blue enamel, respectively, using the classic champlev technique. As seen from space, the Earth's city lights are hand-painted in enameled gold. The brand notes that five different firing stages are required to craft this central portion of the dial. Of course, as a Traveller, the new Globe Night Blue features dual time zone functionality. Subtly integrated on the left side of the case, the pushers allow for adjustment of the local time forward and backward in one-hour jumps. Your "home" or "travel" time is displayed in the date-esque aperture at 9 o'clock. The case is crafted in 18k white gold, measures 41mm in diameter, 49mm lug to lug, and 12.64mm thick. Turning the watch over, we are presented with Laurent Ferrier's true greatness. The caliber 230.02 beats for 72 hours at 21,600 bph. The 18k solid gold micro-rotor jumps out immediately, as does the large and beautifully crafted bridge supporting it. Beyond the micro-rotor, Laurent Ferrier's signature "natural" escapement is present. Otherwise called a double-direct impulse escapement or chappement naturel by its inventor Abraham Breguet, the natural escapement is a high-precision escapement with the escape lever locked between two escape wheels for better-regulated amplitude. There are advantages over the lever escapement here, but it's seldom used today due to the difficulties in constructing it, especially in a wristwatch. It is seldom used, especially by anyone other than Laurent Ferrier. The Classic Traveller Globe Night Blue is offered as a standard catalog model, meaning that it is not a limited edition. The price is CHF 90,000. What We Think While the overall idea of this watch is almost precisely the same as the 2016 Globe Night Blue Limited Edition, I find this variant far more appealing than the last. The dial changes are welcome, especially the upgrades on the continents. The varying blue tones here and the golden city lights work quite well.?I am dying to see this dial in person. I can imagine its depth and drool over the photos for only so long! Further, it is excellent news that this new Globe Night Blue is not a limited edition, unlike the previous iteration, which was only made in five pieces and available through a single retailer in London. As the watch world pendulum continues to swing away from stainless steel sports watches and towards "dress" or traditionally-styled watches, a brand like Laurent Ferrier only needs to do what it does best and wait. That's exactly what I have observed the brand doing over the past few years. After a foray into luxury sport with the Sport and Grand Sport, it's clear LF is now getting back to the basicsand that is music to my ears. I said the same thing last August, but this is a "if you build it, they will come" brand. There is no reason to go chasing trends when you're Laurent Ferrier. With the Classic Traveller Globe Night Blue and last year's Classic Auto Sandstone, Laurent Ferrier is building it. The Basics Brand: Laurent FerrierModel: Classic Traveller Globe Night BlueDiameter: 41mmThickness: 12.64mmCase Material: 18k 210 Pd White GoldDial Color: Blue enamelIndexes: White goldWater Resistance: 30mStrap/Bracelet: Deep grey Nubuck leather, hand-stitched, with white gold pin buckle The Movement Caliber: Calibre LF 230.02, natural escapement, micro-rotorFunctions: Hours, minutes, small seconds at 6 o'clock, date at 3 o'clock, dual-time function with home time at 9 o'clockPower Reserve: 72 hoursWinding: Micro-rotor automaticFrequency: 21,600 bph Pricing & Availability Price: CHF 90,000For more information, visit www.laurentferrier.ch.