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Meissen Italia and Laurent Ferrier announce strategic partnership in the field of haute horlogerie

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March 2013


Meissen Italia, the Italian subsidiary of the traditional porcelain manufactory, and the Swiss company Laurent Ferrier have announced a cooperation in the field of haute horlogerie.

At BaselWorld, the two companies will present the first fruits of their cooperation: two one-of-a-kind Galet Secret watches with a tourbillon double balance spring calibre, whose dials are made of razor-thin Meissen porcelain, refined by hand. If they wish, in the future, clients around the globe will be able to have their own dials designed individually. For 2014, the companies announced plans for their first joint watch collection.

Galet Secret with Meissen porcelain by Laurent Ferrier
Galet Secret with Meissen porcelain by Laurent Ferrier

Meissen Group’s CEO Christian Kurtzke stressed the strategic dimension of this partnership: ‘Through the cooperation with Laurent Ferrier, we are securing for us watchmaker competence in the top segment – independently of the large luxury groups. That opens up numerous strategic options for our subsidiary Meissen Italia for developing its Meissen Joaillerie portfolio.” Mr Kurtzke was particularly enthusiastic about Mr. Laurent Ferrier’s almost 40 years of experience, as well as his creativity. “Both companies honour tradition, but both are also committed to innovation,” explained Christian Kurtzke.

“For us, it is very exciting to cooperate with this brand that has been famous for more than 300 years,” explains Olivier Müller, Laurent Ferrier’s CEO. “We now stand apart not just technologically, but even from companies whose dials are finished in enamel – we can offer our clients real works of art in the ‘métiers d’art’ segment. Once you have experienced the great skill, precision, and incredible attention to detail with which the dials are painted by the artisans at Meissen, you understand why our two companies are suited perfectly to one another, why there is such harmony between us.”