The world of watchmaking has always been influenced by external worlds but, certainly, first of all, we cannot fail to mention the world of motor racing.
Suffice it to say that the first sports watches with chronographs, so much loved and sought after today, were born precisely with the aim of providing a tool of fundamental importance to the drivers whizzing around in their racing cars.
Nowadays, despite continuous research and development aimed at creating ever more precise and useful chronograph systems, these watches are used for everything except for the original purpose for which they were conceived.
To the detriment of this, it is good to underline that on board their racing cars, the drivers have the possibility of having any type of information directly from the car thanks to the technological development that has taken place in the sector, thus making the use of a watch superfluous regarding information on speeds and lap times.
Despite this, beyond the “tool” watch, the world of Motorsport has made it possible to create watches not for specific needs but which, “simply”, were inspired by racing cars in terms of mechanics and design.
In this regard, the famous independent watchmaker Laurent Ferrier has always loved motorsport and throughout is carrier he drew inspiration from it time after time.
Created through the union of forces of a watchmaker who loved to race, Laurent Ferrier, together with an industrialist and driver, François Servanin, the Maison in just 12 years of activity has been able to churn out a masterpiece of haute horology after another (if you are interested in learning more about the history of the brand, I leave you this article by our editor Benedetta).
And it is precisely from the skill of this watchmaker that the new Laurent Ferrier Grand Sport Tourbillon Golden Brown was born, on the occasion of the 12th anniversary of the brand.
Inspired by the two founders’ shared love for motor racing, this watch represents a new interpretation of the steel Grand Sport Tourbillon launched in 2019.
So, dear friends of IWS, I just have to tell you to fasten your seat belts and… when the traffic lights go out, crank up the engines to go full speed to discover the new Grand Sport Tourbillon Golden Brown.
Design and engine of a racing car
Two main elements play a central role in every racing car: the bodywork and the engine.
Making a comparison between the new Laurent Ferrier Grand Sport Tourbillon Golden Brown and these cars, we find these two elements respectively in the case and in the movement.
Indeed, in the new Grand Sport Tourbillon, the integrated 5 N red gold case is designed and inspired by the bodywork of a beautifully elegant car that combines clean lines with timeless elegant curves, typical of the racing cars that Laurent Ferrier drove.
To complete the design and “bodywork” of this Grand Sport Tourbillon we find the three-link bracelet in 5N red gold with a unique design that ensures a comfortable and secure fit, despite the weight and generous dimensions of the watch: 310 grams and 44 mm in diameter.
Perfectly match with the typical warm colors of autumn, emanating from the red gold case and bracelet, we find the chocolate-colored dial.
Characterized by an opaline finish that gives the watch a soft and discreet appearance, typical of the creations of the brand, this dial hosts on its surface drop-shaped indexes and hands in the shape of Assegai (a spear representing the typical signature of Laurent Ferrier ).
Both the indexes and the hands are in red gold and are complemented by the presence of white Super-LumiNova.
Protecting the dial is a domed sapphire crystal, which gives the watch a rounded appearance when viewed from the side.
Through the sapphire crystal caseback we find, in perfect match with the bodywork of this watch, a high-performance engine: the tourbillon caliber LF619.01 with double hairspring.
This movement, housed in the 13.40 mm thick case, can be observed in all its beauty for hours without ever getting tired and represents a real masterpiece of mastery by one of the best watchmakers of all time, in my opinion. .
Powered by the same movement as the Classic Tourbillon model, with which Laurent Ferrier won the men’s watch award at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), the caliber of the new Grand Sport Tourbillon features a more modern finish.
The double-spiral tourbillon carriage, visible through the sapphire crystal caseback, is worthy of the highest-performing automotive engines.
For lovers of the “B-side” of watches, this movement represents a real work of art with a beauty that is matched only by its precision.
Going into some more technical details, this “engine” that moves the new Grand Sport Tourbillon at full speed, features a long-blade ratchet system which, in addition to the aesthetic value of its hand-worked curves, emits a sweet and reassuring sound when charging the watch.
As for the finishes, Laurent Ferrier has further embellished the movement with a horizontal satin finish and a ruthenium treatment, which reinforce the sporty style of this timepiece.
The bridge of the tourbillon carriage has been meticulously decorated by hand and the movement is also highly polished and features 30 hand-crafted internal corners.
Born as a sport watch, this Grand Sport Tourbillon represents a more sophisticated and elegant timepiece than other traditional sport-chic watches.
Price and availability
Sold at a list price of CHF 225.00, corresponding to approximately EUR 230,000, the new Laurent Ferrier Grand Sport Tourbillon Golden Brown is a limited and numbered edition of 24 pieces.
For more information about Laurent Ferrier visit their official website.
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