The story of Laurent Ferrier is fascinating and unusual. Mr. Ferrier started his own brand in 2009 at the respectable age of 63 and after a successful career as a watchmaker and amateur racing driver. In the 1979 Le Mans 24 hours Ferrier and his co-driver Francois Servanin finished third in their Porsche 935, and this amazing result created an unbreakable bond between the two friends, resulting in the foundation of the Laurent Ferrier brand 30 years later.
While having established a highly successful brand, known for its’ impeccable finishing and amazing watchmaking capabilities (the micro-rotor can be regarded as a 21st century high-end indie icon) the visible connection between the watches and motor racing only started last year, when the Sport Auto was launched, the brands take on a sports watch. The Sport Auto perfectly combines the brand DNA with a sportier look. A grade 5 titanium 41,5mm case with integrated bracelet and the automatic calibre LF270.01, naturally with micro-rotor, ticking inside. Combining the brands’ reputation with a watch in the most popular and crowded segment resulted in a hit: waiting lists for the Sport Auto run now well into 2025.
Today the brand unveils a new limited edition in their Serie Atelier, taking the Sport Auto as a basis. The Sport Auto 40 strengthens the connection with the founders’ racing heritage even further: the gradient viridian green dial with an opaline finish is a direct reference to the green color livery of the Porsche 935 Turbo, the very car that brought Ferrier and Servanin their great result in 1979. And number 40, you’ve guessed it, was the start number connected to the Porsche and is now subtlely visible in the small seconds dial at 6 o’clock.
The combination looks very attractive, even if you’re not into motorsports. The green dial is paired with orange Super-LumiNova on white gold indexes and within the well-designed round curves of the case we see an attractive watch that could easily go as a daily beater.
40 numbered pieces will be available to the public at a price of CHF 51,000 (excluding taxes), which is slightly higher than the regular blue-dial version. And those 40 pieces are directly available online, but given the demand I advise you to go to the Laurent Ferrier website with Le Mans winning speed…
