A Titanium Sport Watch From… Laurent Ferrier? Introducing the Sport Auto!
There are few independents that consistently get it right like Laurent Ferrier. The 30+ year veteran watchmaker of Patek Philippe started his own brand and the influence is uncanny. We recently covered the brands Homage II - an ultra limited edition specifically for Phillips Auction client. In stark contrast, let us introduce the Sport Auto - a non-limited edition Titanium sports watch that I believe could scratch the itch of the wildly out of control sport watch craze.
THE BASICS:
Brand: Laurent Ferrier
Model: Sport Auto (Ref. LCF040.T1.C1GC5)
Case Material: Grade 5 Titanium
Case Size: 41.5mm x 12.7mm
Water Resistance: 120m
Crystal: Sapphire Crystal
Movement: LF 270.01 calibre
Strap Options: Integrated Titanium Bracelet
THE JUICE:
Lets start with a basic, but very important aspect of the Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto - It’s available. Yes, you can actually buy this sports watch.
The watch takes inspiration from a race in 1979, where Laurent Ferrier barely lost to none-than everyone’s favorite watch darling - Paul Newman in Le Mans. The story goes, the Laurent, who worked for Patek Phillippe, gifted his teammate a stainless steel Nautilus after the race. A few decades later, they’ve built their own watch, and you’re looking at it.
The Titanium case measures in at a modest 41.5mm, and shares striking similarities to the Nautilus, without at all copying it. There is a playful mix of curved and straight edges that give the case an odd, but charming shape. The watch comes with a 120 meter water resistance rating.
The dial showcases Laurent Ferrier’s penchant for a striking blue, while white gold indices and hands are filled with cool green lume. It gives the sharp indices an overall softer aesthetic, and displays a damn-near-perfect date window. The sloped wedge shape flanks the bright white date window and makes the date display pop like few other date windows I’ve ever seen.
Inside the Sport Auto is an all-new Calibre LF 270.01. The 72 movement features a really cool micro-rotor, a 72 hour power reserve, and is hand-decorated in the LF atelier. There are well over 140 parts to finish, and the movement displays them beautifully.
Overall, the Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto is a solid sport release from the brand. I have noticed a lot of enthusiasts comparing it to the Nautilus, which, is fair, but a little exaggerated. One of the things I’ve always appreciate about Laurent Ferrier is that he always brings his own ideas to the table, and they’re always executed as close to perfect as possible. The Sport Auto is no different here.
How much is the Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto?
Price for the watch will come in at a fairly reasonable $47,700 USD. Read more about the watch at laurentferrier.ch