In a harmonious fusion of precision engineering and automotive fervor, the LAURENT FERRIER Sport Auto 40 “Série Atelier”. This extraordinary timepiece pays homage to the brand’s history while honoring the founders’ profound passion for racing, echoing the essence of “Sport Auto 40” throughout.
The story takes place on the hallowed grounds of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, an event that transcends motorsport boundaries. On June 9, 1979, visionary entrepreneurs François Servanin and Laurent Ferrier embarked on an unprecedented journey. They surpassed expectations with the classic Porsche 935 Turbo, finishing third out of 60 vehicles. This key success cleared the way for their shared goal of establishing an exceptional horological company.
The Sport Auto 40 is not just a watch but a vessel of history. It salutes the legendary Porsche 935 Turbo No. 40, adorning a gradient viridian green dial with opaline texture and semi-glossy lacquer. The fuchsia transfer gracefully forms a cross around the cleverly chamfered date aperture at 3 o’clock. A coordinating green transfer marks the minute track, recalling the car’s essence. The opaline white small seconds dial at 6 o’clock bears the tone-on-tone “40”, a nod to the car’s emblem.
Aesthetics complement form, reflecting the aerodynamic elegance of racing automobiles. The 41.5 mm grade 5 titanium case complements the integrated grade 5 titanium bracelet well. Dynamic balance is represented by a rounded tonneau-shaped case midsection that converges with a Square case-inspired bezel. Contrasting finishes, such as a round satin-brushed bezel set against mirror-polished sides and a vertical satin-brushed case centre, emphasize precision. The polished angles contrast with the vertical satin-brushed surfaces of the three-link metal bracelet. The useful and aesthetically pleasing integrated ball-shaped crown ensures water resistance up to 120 meters.
Underneath lies the LF270.01 calibre—a self-winding movement enriched with a calendar, reflecting LAURENT FERRIER’s devotion to refinement. Swiss pallet escapement and off-centred micro-rotor self-winding system echo precision. The unidirectional ball bearing enhances durability, while the oscillating weight in 950 platinum ensures stability and winding efficiency. With over 72 hours of power reserve upon full winding, the calibre underscores resilience.
The sapphire transparent case back displays the LF270.01 calibre—a canvas of horizontal satin-brushed and ruthenium-treated bridges—a cornerstone of LAURENT FERRIER. Each of the over 139 manual finishing activities contributes to the production of hand-decorated components. Angles on the rotor bridge are smoothed with gentian wood and diamantine. The brand’s studios exhibit artistry in finishes ranging from satin-brushed to circular-grained.
The LAURENT FERRIER Sport Auto 40 “Série Atelier” reverberates with motorsport heritage and horological finesse. Limited to 40 numbered pieces, it encapsulates racing’s spirit within an exquisite timepiece. This ode to passion and precision awaits collectors and enthusiasts, available exclusively on their website https://laurentferrier.ch/
