After a demanding 24 hours covering 3988 km, Laurent Ferrier, François Servanin and François Trisconi crossed the finish line to take third place overall in the legendary Le Mans race. A real achievement for three amateur drivers. The friends received a trophy that day, as well as a gift: a watch. It was then that a bigger dream was born – that of creating a watchmaking company faithful to traditional values, passion and elegance. The very first foundational stone of the company that would be built many years later was laid on 10 June 1979.
Sport Auto 79: With this new edition of the Sport Auto, Laurent Ferrier far transcends the simple reiteration of a timepiece. To mark the brand’s 15th anniversary, this Sport Auto 79 pays tribute to a timeless moment, an understated victory etched into history. That moment was the podium at the 1979 Le Mans 24 Hours. That victory – third place in the overall rankings – forever sealed the fate of the two founders and set in motion the watchmaking odyssey we know today. This new Sport Auto 79 perpetuates a seminal memory and captures the essence of a trophy that was as unseen as it was decisive. In the end, it is the embodiment of a turning point in life, a transition from one passion to another.
The Art of Detail: This Sport Auto model in 5N red gold features the LF270.01 movement, an automatic calibre with a micro-rotor, which was designed, decorated and assembled in the Geneva workshops. This robust and precise motor, inspired by the micro-rotor with natural escapement, is exquisitely finished by hand and is equipped with a 950-platinum oscillating weight. This micro-rotor features a laser engraved decoration which discreetly reveals numerical nods to the 1979 race – visible only to the most discerning eye.
In keeping with Laurent Ferrier’s reputation for impeccable finishes, the movement showcases a true masterpiece of mechanical craftsmanship, which fans will be delighted to admire through the sapphire crystal case back. The entire movement reverberates with energy thanks to the bridges featuring subtle horizontal ruthenium-treated satin-brushed finishes.
A great many finishing stages are carried out by hand in the heart of the LF finishing workshop. Among them, the decoration of the rotor bridge stands out for its remarkable precision: the bevelling of the corners, polishing with gentian wood and diamond paste, and the mirror-polished surface finish or “brouillage” (a scratch-brushing technique) on the main plate side.
In all, it takes 2 to 3 hours to complete all the finishing stages on this component alone. This expertise is also showcased throughout the movement’s components, with their highly complex interior angles, black zinc-polished surfaces, and ruthenium satin-brushed or circular-grained finishes — all orchestrated in-house in the manufacture’s workshops.
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