The new LAURENT FERRIER SPORT AUTO 40 model from the brand’s iconic Série Atelier collection pays homage to the history of the Geneva Maison and its passion for motor racing.
LAURENT FERRIER was co-founded by François Servanin and Laurent Ferrier in 2009. Both are veteran racing car drivers and their friendship dates to back the 1970s.
In 1979, along with François Trisconi, both of them participated in the 47th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race in the legendary Porsche 935 Turbo and secured third position in the overall rankings.
Limited to 40 pieces, the LAURENT FERRIER SPORT AUTO 40 watch takes inspiration from the Porsche 935 Turbo No. 40, with a dial in the colours of this legendary racing car.
A domed sapphire crystal reveals the bright colours of the Porsche No. 40 at the time. The gradient viridian green dial, with an opaline finish and a semi-glossy lacquer, is decorated with a fuchsia transfer that forms a cross in the middle and runs around the cleverly chamfered date aperture at 3 o’clock.
The minute track is indicated by a green transfer in the same shade as in the centre of the watch. Orange Super-LumiNova on the white gold indexes and hands adds extra character to this new timepiece. Recalling the sticker of the racing car, a tone-on-tone “40” proudly sits on the opaline white small seconds dial at 6 o’clock.
The exterior of the Sport Auto 40 recalls the aerodynamic design of racing cars by cleverly blending round curves with arched lines.
The LAURENT FERRIER SPORT AUTO 40 watch has a 41.5mm diameter case in grade 5 titanium. The rounded tonneau-shaped case is topped with a contrasting softer-looking bezel, inspired by the Square case. The bezel spotlights a circular satin-brushed finish that contrasts with the mirror-polished sides and the vertical satin-brushed case middle.
The integrated three-link metal bracelet is also made of grade 5 titanium. It also features vertical satin-brushed surfaces accentuated by mirror-polished angled sides.
The iconic ball-shaped crown is screwed in and elegantly incorporated into the case middle. The generously sized crown is pleasant to operate when first starting up the self-winding movement. The watch is water-resistant up to the depth of 120 metres, making it practical for everyday wear.
Inside the Sport Auto 40 lies the LF270.01 calibre, the brand’s second self-winding movement with a calendar. It incorporates a Swiss pallet escapement and an off-centred micro-rotor self-winding system.
This movement has been entirely designed, decorated, assembled and adjusted in LAURENT FERRIER’s workshops. To significantly improve its resistance to impacts and vibration, it has been fitted with a unidirectional ball bearing.
Like a balance wheel, the micro-rotor has an oscillating weight in 950 platinum positioned directly between the main plate and the rotor bridge to give optimum stability and maximum winding power. When fully wound, this calibre offers a power reserve of more than 72 hours.
The sapphire crystal case back reveals the immaculate finishes of the movement with horizontal satin-brushed and ruthenium-treated bridges. Its components are meticulously hand-decorated, such as the rotor bridge: the angles are softened then finished with gentian wood and diamantine, while the surface is mirror polished.
The movement also features several internal angles, multiple zinc-polished surfaces and numerous satin-brushed and circular-grained finishes, all carried out by hand in the brand’s workshops.
With a retail price of 51,000 CHF (excluding tax), this new “Série Atelier” watch is available exclusively on the Laurent Ferrier website.
Technical details
Model: LAURENT FERRIER SPORT AUTO 40 Limited Edition, Reference LCF040.T1.v1gco
Movement
Calibre LF270.01
Self-winding movement
Diameter: 14’’’ (Ø 32.50 mm)
Thickness: 4.85 mm
Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)
Power reserve: 72 hours
215 components/31 jewels
Horizontal satin finishing and ruthenium treatment on the bridges
Functions
Central hours and minutes
Small seconds at 6 o’clock
Date at 3 o’clock
Case
Grade 5 titanium
Dimensions: 41.5 mm (3-9 o’clock)
Thickness: 12.70 mm
Screw-on case back, middle and bezel
Sapphire case back, visible movement
Water-resistant to 120 metres
Domed sapphire crystals
Circular satin-brushed bezel, polished sides and vertical satin-brushed case middle
Special screws on the case back
Dial
Gradient viridian green opaline dial
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
Aperture at 3 o’clock, white discs and anthracite date
Hands
18K/750 white gold 210Pd
Hours and minutes: “Sagaie-shaped” with orange Super-LumiNova
Seconds: baton-shaped
Bracelet
Integrated three-link grade 5 titanium bracelet
Grade 5 titanium deployant buckle
