This year, Revolution turns 20. Two decades of chronicling watches, people and ideas have given us a front-row seat to a remarkable story: how an age-old craft has both preserved its soul and reinvented itself for the 21st century. To celebrate, we’ve chosen over 100 names and milestones that, for us, define the era so far. From leaders to watches, you can see the whole list here.

Last one of the most respected independent watchmakers. That reputation began from day one: the brand’s very first watch, launched in 2010, immediately won the Men’s Watch Prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.

The man behind the name is Laurent Ferrier himself, a veteran of Geneva watchmaking. He spent nearly four decades at Patek Philippe, rising to Technical Director and mastering the quiet discipline of traditional craft. In 2009, he left that comfortable orbit to build something of his own, and a year later unveiled his first creation, the Classic Tourbillon Double Spiral.

That debut set the template for the brand. Its Galet case — galet being French for “pebble” — looks simple at first but rewards close inspection. Ferrier wanted the smooth, rounded feel of a river stone shaped by time and water, and the result is a case with an addictive, organic profile. The dial is equally restrained, with fine markers and ultra slender Assegai-shaped hands that taper to a needle point. The overall impression is classical yet unmistakably Laurent Ferrier: timeless, elegant and quietly original.

Laurent Ferrier Galet Classic Tourbillon Double Spiral

Inside, the movement is every bit as compelling. Its multi-plate architecture recalls old pocket watches but is laid out with modern clarity. The steel tourbillon cage is beautifully slim and black polished, while the bridges feature sharp internal angles and meticulous finishing. Beyond the finishing, the real technical highlight is the double spiral. Two opposing balance springs breathe in opposite directions to cancel out positional errors, improving chronometry on top of the natural benefits of a tourbillon.

This combination of classical design and subtle innovation set Laurent Ferrier apart from the start. Winning the GPHG Men’s Watch Prize at the very first attempt announced that this young independent was already playing at the highest level, and 15 years on, the Galet Classic Tourbillon Double Spiral still defines the brand’s vision of modern Swiss watchmaking.

Tech Specs: Laurent Ferrier Galet Classic Tourbillon Double Spiral

Movement: Manual winding Caliber LF 619.01; 80-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds and tourbillon
Case: 41mm × 9.5mm; 18K yellow gold; water resistant to 30m
Dial: White grand feu enamel
Strap: Leather with 18K yellow gold pin buckle