The passion for sports racing and haute horology set Laurent Ferrier and Servanin on a common destiny beyond the race tracks. In 2019, Servanin invested in Ferrier’s roots and experience in watchmaking, and the eponymous independent maison, Laurent Ferrier was born.

Laurent Ferrier, Servanin and Trisconi’s No.40 would come in at 3rd position, just a little behind Paul Newman and ahead of 57 other cars consisting of both professional and amateur teams in the 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans.

At Geneva Watch Days 2023, Laurent Ferrier presented the Sport Auto 40, a new edition of the “Série Atelier ” collection paying homage to the brand’s historical relationship with motor racing and more specifically, the viridian green Porsche 935 Turbo that both founders of the brand co-droved at the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1979. 

Inheriting the aesthetic codes of Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto collection, most notably the soft-barrel case design, the small onion crown and the air intake-like recess into the date aperture, unique to this model is the viridian green gradient dial in opaline finishing, combined with the orange Super-LumiNova on the white gold indexes and hands, and the emblematic cross-hair in purple, recreating the powdery, period-accurate paint job of the 1979 Kremer Porsche 935 T N°40. No. 40 appears subtly on the white opaline subsidiary dial, slightly embossed in white.

Other consistent features with the Sport Auto collection includes the 41.5mm grade 5 titanium case is satin-finished in general, and polished at the edges to further elaborate on Laurent Ferrier’s streamlined silhouette and the grade 5 titanium bracelet which is also satin-finished, is light and soft to the skin and wears comfortably on the wrist even on a sweltering day out on the race tracks in June. The choice of satin over brushed finishing on most of the titanium parts are most probably indications of what 1970s sports car finishing looks like – muted.

Under the hood, the micro-rotor powered Caliber LF270.01 drives the Sport Auto 40 at 28,800 VPH for 72 hours. Access the engine through the back for a rear-wheel drive sports car and just like any other Laurent Ferrier timepiece, the level of attention to aesthetics is as extensive as the dial side. The movement alone sae more than 139 hand-finished operations. The almost three-quarter bridge on the Cal. LF270.01 is satin-finished and ruthenium-treated, creating a grey overall that combines with gold and rubies to project a highly modernistic appeal. The anglage on every bridge is manually finished, including the unique bridge setting the micro-rotor in place, which is finished with gentian wood or diamantine. On the 950 platinum micro-rotor, one will find intricate hand-decorated lines of achievements set by N°40 in the 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans race, from the drivers’ names, date, miles achieved, recorded timings etc.

It is indeed a memorable and unforgettable race that deserves to be recorded in any way possible.

The Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto 40 is essentially the Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto introduced a year earlier, with stylings of the very car Laurent Ferrier and François Servanin raced in and thereby, a direct tribute to the founders of the brand. For any fans or existing collector of Laurent Ferrier watches, the Sport Auto 40 is clearly a must-have collectible. While not all may share a common passion for sports racing, porsches or the number 40, the limited production Sport Auto 40 does present a uniqueness that cannot be replicated on any other brand and models; the green opaline dial.

Honouring the spirit of the 1979 24 Hours of Le Man race is also what this limited edition watch does and somehow, it got to me, not because I am a fan of autosports racing, but because of the spirit of competition behind the story. An amateur team was able to come in 3rd position, beating the odds against a pool of professional drivers and their team. It is a race of merit with equal opportunity for all and the honour is anyone willing to put in the extra effort, and perhaps, with the help of a little talent. 

If the gradient viridian green dial appeals to you, or if my sentiments on this watch somehow resonates, you might want to quickly check put your name to the list as only 40 pieces of this watch will ever be produced.

Technical Specifications

Model Number: Série Atelier Sport Auto 40

Collection: Série Atelier

Water Resistance: 120m

Case Shape: Barrel

Case Length (mm): 41.5mm

Thickness (mm): 2.70 mm

Case Material: Grade 5 Titanium

Crystal: Domed sapphire crystals

Caseback: Screwed-down Sapphire case back

Dial:
Gradient viridian green opaline dial with green and anthracite transfers
Matte white opaline small seconds at 6 o’clock with semi-glossy opaline “40”

Indexes:
18K/750 white gold 210Pd with orange Super-LumiNova

Functions:
Time & Date

Power Reserve: 72 hours

Movement: LF270.01, 31 jewel, 28,800 VPH, micro-rotor

Strap/Bracelet:
Grade 5 Titanium Integrated Bracelet with deployant buckle of same material

With this being said, the one element that has been the talk of our industry, especially in the first half of 2020, was that of the tradeshow. Adi Soon, our editor has written extensively about his opinions on the demise of Baselworld (see his article: The Golden Goose (Baselworld) is Finally Dead), as well as the writer of this article (see Martin Goh’s article: Opinion – Baselworld’s Demise and the Meaning of Privilege).

The future of the watch industry tradeshow seemed very much in doubt last year, with cancellations and “postponements” being a result of the global health crisis – however, one tradeshow went ahead, and showed the possibility that brands bring the impetus needed to a digital version of a tradeshow, and this was Watches and Wonders, formerly the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH).

Four brands that arguably have the largest pull factor to the show – Chanel, Chopard, Patek Philippe and Rolex effectively heralded the death of Baselworld, with many of their executives expressing their dismay at the fair. In particular, Thierry Stern of Patek Philippe summed up their feeling as such: “Today Patek Philippe is not in line with Baselworld’s vision anymore, there have been too many discussions and unsolved problems, trust is no longer present”. As Wined Dined and Timed has written, much of the industry is based on gentlemen’s agreements, agreements that were very much violated during the “postponement” phase of Baselworld during the pandemic.

However, the 2020 edition of Watches and Wonders proved that a digital watch tradeshow can exist, and be successful. Furthermore, a press release dated in November 2020 from the organising committee of Watches and Wonders also shows the future of the watch tradeshow – with the continued pandemic raging in Europe, a digital version of the show was a no-brainer. Curiously, the 4 brands that were supposed to have a show concurrent to Watches and Wonders have now signed on to exhibit at Watches and Wonders – Chanel, Chopard, Patek Philippe and Rolex. This not only demonstrates the viability of the digital tradeshow, but also the level of trust between the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie and the 4 brands that left Baselworld. There is also no doubt that these brands will bring many more visitors to the digital tradeshow, given that their presence at Baselworld drew most of the crowds for watches.

There is no doubt that brands have changed their ways of communication during the pandemic, and rightfully so. However, I do not believe that a digital-only tradeshow or unveiling will be the way of the future. There will always be a place in the luxury industry for physical gatherings, and where possible, these will occur so that journalists and enthusiasts can touch, feel and experience the product. Watches are a part of the luxury industry that still needs physical presence for the watch to have an effect on the viewer, and so I believe that tradeshows will go back to being physical tradeshows when possible, but include much more digital interactivity than ever before. Unveilings may be made live, like with the recent Hublot x Murakami piece that was released at LVMH Watch Week in 2021, and keynote speakers may feature again, like at SIHH 2019 (recommended viewing: https://youtu.be/M9Pqi-QMoQw – Max Busser’s Keynote at SIHH 2019). 

The operation of a simultaneous digital and physical tradeshow will bring much more attendance through the following means – journalists and enthusiasts are brought together in one place to broadcast the new releases, and watch connoisseurs on far-flung sides of the Earth can enjoy the media and created content at their convenience. In this way, it is really a win-win situation for all parties involved – even the brands get more impressions on their pieces. Now, it just comes down to how much the brands are willing to invest into such an omni-channel experience. We can only hope that the brands see the value in this omni-channel method, from first viewing (online through watch media or through advertising) all the way to final purchase that can occur months or years down the line.

As the watch was handed to me, I could see why I had been so warned. You see, the new Grand Sport Tourbillon was mounted, not on a leather strap as one would typically expect of watches from the brand. Instead this time, it was on a rubber strap, the first ever that a watch from Laurent Ferrier had been so appointed.

To be honest, it did feel a little strange as I put the watch on my wrist, but after looking a little closely at it, and having the idea behind it and the new collection that it is part of was explained to me, the whole thing started to make sense.

This new watch forms the first introduction of a brand new collection, called “Grand Sport”, a line that as the name implies, celebrates motor-racing.

Some of you might not know this, but the brand’s namesake founder, Laurent Ferrier, was a racing car driver in his younger days during the 70’s. It was during this time that he met François Servanin, currently a well-known industrialist, and they become good friends. The pair raced together (along with a third driver, Francois Trisconi) at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1979, placing third for the Porsche Kremar Racing Team in the no.40 Porsche 935. Much later on of course, the pair would come together to start Laurent Ferrier, the watch brand that we know of today.

Along with the commemoration of the 1979 Le Mans race, and also with 2019 being 10 years since the conception of the brand’s very first tourbillon, we find the watch engraved with the words “Le Mans 40th Anniversary” on the caseback, as well as being introduced with the well regarded calibre LF 619.01, coming with a Besançon chronometer certified tourbillon.

Laurent Ferrier has been expanding their offerings this year, introducing new collections of watches that deviate from the typical dressy round ones that make up one’s first impression of the brand. The first, the rectangular Bridge One that was presented at SIHH 2019 was the first expression of a new case design. Now as we approach the middle of 2019, we have yet another new collection, with a new case shape in the form of the Grand Sport Tourbillon, that comes presented on a brown rubber strap, expanding the offerings to collectors in aesthetics and emotional resonance to the founder.

Certainly, it was about time that this portion of Laurent Ferrier’s past be put in the spotlight a little more as it provides an exciting counterpoint in the form of motor-racing to the traditional dressy round classical watches that the brand already does so well. I mean, looking at the pictures above of a younger Laurent Ferrier racing in Le Mans does make him much cooler than he already is as a first rate watchmaker.

The Grand Sport Tourbillon comes with a 44mm stainless-steel case, that might remind you of the Galet Square watches that we have seen from the brand before, but look closer and the differences become apparent. Instead of a round bezel against a cushioned shaped case, we have a cushion-shaped bezel against a slightly tonneau middle case. The lugs are also integrated with the case, presenting a stronger looking and more sporty construction. Lastly, have a look at the orange Superluminova lume on the brown gradient dial, the crown-guards, as well as the automotive looking bolts on the caseback. These are details that certainly bring to mind the era in which the watch is meant to recall.

The overall effect of the case and rubber strap, makes for a comfortable watch on the wrist, balancing the weight of the case well. Viewable from the caseback of course is the calibre LF 619.01, featuring and 80 hour power reserve 3Hz Tourbillon, finished to the high standards we’ve come to expect from Laurent Ferrier.

This watch is available in a limited edition of 12 pieces and comes in at a price of 172,000 CHF.

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New for SIHH 2019, the brand adds a new case shape to their portfolio, in the form of the Bridge One, which while technically being rectangular, is more of a 3 dimensional form, with gently curving surfaces from lug to lug.

This new watch is certainly very different from what you would expect a rectangular case to look like, and it’s worth noting the source of its inspiration.

This new case shape is inspired by the “Passerelle de l’Ile”, a small pedestrian bridge in the heart of Geneva, and formed part of the view that Mr Laurent Ferrier himself was able to see from his room as a child. It’s plain to see, as you look at the picture below, where the inspiration for the case shape is derived from.   With the industrial aspect of such an inspiration, the watch will come with a similarly industrial case material – stainless steel in both the launch variations of the watch. The first, comes with a white dial in Grand Feu enamel with slate grey enamelled roman numerals. The second, in contrast, comes with a grained slate grey dial with a raised XII marker at 12 o’clock. It’s interesting to note that the first variation does not come with a small seconds sub-dial while the second one does, and I’m curious to know the reason for the differences in both the variations, and also why the curved sapphire crystal is tinted. Rounding off the aesthetics are the ball-shaped winding crown, which looks comfortable enough to help with the hand winding of the new Calibre LF107.01 with its 80 hour power reserve. Interestingly, this new movement is rectangular shaped, and not a standard movement that is existing that is cut down to fit a rectangular case. Kudos to Laurent Ferrier for doing things the right way, as they have always done.

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