By Jovan Krstevski
It seems not long ago but we all have quite a hangover from the Baselworld 2016. As for Perrelet we all have our eyes fixed on their newly introduced brand new collection named Lab that maintains the signature rotor of the automatic winding movement on the dial with a little surprise, we don’t see it anymore unless we look for it. Are you a fan of Perrelet? Even if you are not, I’m pretty much confident that you have heard of the signature rotor observable on the dial as time is read. This is nice for less technical people but those buying the watch for prestige seems to not care so I think Perrelet listened and now we have a more discreet Lab. Like it or not, it is a great watch and worth looking at after the break.
The Lab collection is especial in the case that Perrelet actually combines many ideas in one timepiece such as a high-quality manufacture movement that includes the in-house production of components like escapement, regulating organ and balance-spring together with the innovative and original design of the brand. Needless to say, we get the best of both worlds such as chic looks with fascinating classic character.
The Lab comes with a 42 x 42 mm stainless steel case surprisingly small but just perfect for that chic look. The design is cushion like with killer polished bezel and lugs. The polished bezel also sports a satin-brushed profile making it look more adorable from a distance.
If you look sideways, you will also see the vertical decorative case bars composed of tiny raised rectangles. To me, it seems like a conveyor belt carrying the brand’s logo on the beautiful and discreet crown. The overall appeal is metallic but very nice when combined with the leather strap and the majestic dial. Nonetheless, we also get a caseback sporting a sapphire crystal for our viewing satisfaction of the signature rotor of the automatic movement.
The multi-level dial looks fascinatingly cool. This cool architecture also allowed the designers to incorporate seemingly floating hour markers. The variety of finishes and decorations are everywhere such as the fine vertical lines seen on the central portion of the dial and the brushed rim surrounding the central plate. The Super-LumiNova coated applied hour markers are suspended on the sapphire crystal ring giving an awesome impression of floatation but what this ring really serves is to display the brand’s signature feature of the Lab which is the oscillating weight decorated with a screw-down plate and sporting slanted lines. It is very nice indeed to see part of the movement on the dial while reading time in such a discreet way.
The Lab derives its power from the in-house Perrelet Manufacture Calibre P–411 beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour and sporting 42 hours of power reserve. The design of the movement is unique to the Lab where the oscillating weight is fixed to a toothed wheel. The gearing mechanism is inside otherwise called as a couronne. It is then placed on the movement meshed up with a pinion located outside the movement making it possible to display the rotor piece on the dial.
The Lab also comes on three dial models namely silver-toned (ref. A 1100/1), anthracite (ref. A 1100/2) and black (ref. A 1100/3). Although they all come on a black alligator leather strap sporting a stainless steel folding clasp with the brand’s logo. For more info, please visit perrelet.com
JOVAN KRSTEVSKI – FOUNDER, PROPRIETOR & EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Jovan Krstevski has been collecting watches every since his father bought him an Omega Seamaster back when he was just a teenager. He launched Watchgeek back in 2011, which is now known as WristReview and is one of the most widely read watch blogs on the Web. He quotes ’WristReview is a site to help people find, explore, discover and enjoy wristwatches.’ Besides WristReview, he also writes for a number of publications. Read his articles here
