Laurent Ferrier Upgrades Its Série Atelier Collection With The Launch Of Sport Auto 40 With A Green Dial - Geneva Watch Days 2023

 

Catering to an audience of automotive purists, Laurent Ferrier’s Série Atelier collection gets a new addition: the Sport Auto 40 at Geneva Watch Days 2023. Founders of the brand, François Servanin and Laurent Ferrier crossed the checkered flag in their Porsche 935 Turbo at the biggest motorsport spectacle, the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1979 placed third overall, an exceptional feat for an amateur team racing against 60 competitors. The latest Sport Auto 40 draws inspiration from the Porsche as it is dressed in its green color.

The Sport Auto 40 features the bright green colors of the Porsche No. 40 which raced at LeMans on 9 June 1979

Automotive Inspired Details Enveloped In Haute Horlogerie Excellence

Much like its companions within the collection, this exquisite piece echoes the sensuous lines of Sport Auto, its form accentuated by a gracefully domed sapphire crystal, revealing the vivid hues reminiscent of the Porsche No. 40 from that era.

The dial, a captivating gradient viridian green, bestows an opaline texture with a touch of lustrous lacquer, adorned by a fuchsia transfer elegantly forming a cross at its heart, gracefully encircling the ingeniously beveled date aperture at the 3 o'clock position.

A tone-on-tone "40" proudly sits on the opaline white small seconds dial at 6 o'clock

The passage of minutes is traced by a green transfer, mirroring the shade at the dial's core. Meanwhile, the hands and indexes sculpted from white gold come alive with a flourish of orange Super-LumiNova, imparting an air of distinct character to this newfound horological gem. A tribute to the racing car's emblem, the opaline white small seconds dial at 6 o'clock proudly bears the "40" in a subtle, harmonizing tone-on-tone fashion.

A Poised Aesthetic

The 41.5 mm diameter grade 5 titanium case on the Sport Auto 40 orchestrates a symphony of aerodynamic aesthetics, masterfully intertwining curved contours of its tonneau shape with sweeping arches, much akin to the fluid design of racing cars. An integrated grade 5 titanium bracelet marries the case and offers a sturdy fit on the wrist.

The 41.5 mm grade 5 titanium case is water resistance tested to 120 meters

Every facet of the case is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship as each surface is bestowed with a unique finish. Satin-brushed parts stand in a glorious contrast with the polished brilliance of case surfaces. The innovative case construction contributes to water resistance tested to a depth of 120 meters, rendering the timepiece not only captivating in design but eminently practical for everyday endeavors.

A Mechanical Marvel

Generating the requisite horsepower to propel timekeeping elements with an unrivaled symphony of precision and reliability is the LF270.01 caliber. This off-centered micro-rotor self-wound system with calendar complication serves the timepiece an autonomy of 72 hours.

The LF270.01 caliber is the brand's second self-winding movement with a calendar

Elevating the caliber’s resilience against the rigors of impact and vibration to an exceptional degree, a unidirectional ball bearing has been deftly incorporated. Akin to the rhythmic motion of a balance wheel, the micro-rotor boasts a 950-platinum oscillating weight, meticulously nestled between the main plate and the rotor bridge, creating a harmonious equilibrium that ensures unparalleled stability and an abundance of winding prowess.

A Resplendent Treat For Aficionados Of Classical Haute Horology

Adhering to the exacting standards that define Laurent Ferrier's artistry, the movement unfolds in a panorama of flawlessly executed finishes. Through the lens of the sapphire crystal case back, a tableau of horological elegance is unveiled. The bridges, exquisitely adorned with a horizontal satin-brushed texture and enriched by the allure of ruthenium treatment, imbue the movement with an undeniably dynamic spirit.

Each element on the Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto 40 gets a haute horlogerie finish execution

Although the integrated bracelet sport watch segment is a crowded one, groaning with options, timepieces like the Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto 40 in Green cement an unhindered reputation and truly stand out to be special.

TECHNICAL DATA

Movement: 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
Central hours and minutes
Small seconds at 6 o'clock
Date at 3 o'clock
Horizontal satin finishing and ruthenium treatment on the bridges
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 meters
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