Why I Sold My Laurent Ferrier Micro-Rotor — WatchProSite Forum Digest

kykw · 2017-11-28T09:39:45Z

Kykw shares why he sold his Laurent Ferrier micro-rotor enamel dial. Discusses service issues, exclusivity concerns, and the emotional side of collecting independent watches.

kykw

WPS member · Independents forum

57 replies20447 views5 photos

Kykw candidly shares his journey with a Laurent Ferrier micro-rotor with an enamel dial, detailing the reasons he ultimately decided to part with his prized possession. His account delves into the complexities of luxury watch ownership, from service disappointments to the perceived erosion of exclusivity in limited editions.

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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

Key Points from the Discussion

The concept of limited editions providing true exclusivity is often a myth; each watch becomes unique to its owner. The probability of encountering someone with the exact sub-variation of a dial is extremely low, even among watch enthusiasts.
The contributor fully understands the disappointment, emphasizing that limited editions should maintain their exclusivity. The erosion of perceived quality due to service issues and the subsequent reproduction of the exclusive dial design can destroy trust in the product and brand.
The author clarifies that the core issue was a perceived lack of commitment from Laurent Ferrier regarding the exclusivity of the limited edition design, compounded by service issues. He views watch collecting as an emotional hobby and chose to learn from the experience rather than keep a negative souvenir.
The experience highlights common reasons for disillusionment with a brand: perceived dilution of exclusivity, repeated service problems, and a general sense of betrayal. These emotional factors are crucial in a discretionary hobby like watch collecting.
The author acknowledges that LF is a business and hopes for its success. However, he felt that LF adopted 'big brand' practices by diluting the exclusivity of his limited edition, which contradicted his expectation of a closer brand-collector relationship with independent watchmakers.
It is argued that independent brands like Laurent Ferrier do not charge prices that allow for truly unique, one-off designs for common elements like a white enamel dial. Expecting such a common design to remain exclusive for a business is unfair.

The Discussion

COUNT DE MONET

Nov 28, 2017

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

anonymous09

Nov 28, 2017

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 be argued that SS models should’ve came with a painted or chemically created one, which would’ve satisfied all parties.

kykw

Nov 28, 2017

That would've been a very satisfying solution.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Ken

kykw

Nov 28, 2017

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, Moritz. Ken

brandon1

Nov 28, 2017

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

kykw

Nov 28, 2017

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

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