Laurent Ferrier: Grand Sport Tourbillon Golden Brown

To mark the 12th anniversary of the brand, Laurent Ferrier presents a new interpretation of the Grand Sport Tourbillon. This model, initially released in 2019, was inspired by the two founders’ shared love of motor racing. Its case is designed like a beautifully sleek car body, combining clean lines and generous curves with a high-performance engine: the LF619.01 tourbillon calibre with double balance spring.

SHADES OF CHOCOLATE

This new version of the Grand Sport Tourbillon presents a sublime dial in graduated shades of chocolate brown moving from lighter in the centre to darker at the edges. Featuring 5N red-gold appliques and white Super-LumiNova, the dial has an opaline finish that gives the piece a soft and discreet appearance characteristic of the brand’s creations. As on previous versions as well as on the latest Sport Auto, the famous drop-shaped hour-markers as well as the Assegai-shaped hands – a LF signature – both in 5N red gold in this instance, have been enlarged to accommodate the white Super-LumiNova. The dial is protected by a domed sapphire crystal, which gives the whole timepiece a rounded appearance when viewed from the side.

A PRECIOUS BODY

The structure of the Grand Sport case evokes the elegant, timeless curves of racing cars similar to those that Laurent used to drive. Crafted from 5N red gold, the Grand Sport Tourbillon Golden Brown seeks to be more sophisticated and elegant than other more traditional sport-chic timepieces.

The Grand Sport Tourbillon Golden Brown weighs approximately 310 grammes and measures 44 mm in diameter, asserting a strong presence on the wrist. The unique design of its three-link 5N red-gold bracelet ensures a comfortable and secure fit. The case of the Grand Sport Tourbillon consists mainly of satin-brushed components along with numerous mirror-polished parts. The cushion-shaped bezel, complete with a circular satin-brushed finish, features contrasting mirror-polished sides. Similarly, the middle-case, offering a new interpretation of the barrel shape, also plays with several finishes: vertical satin-brushed on the top, with a horizontal satin-brushed profile and contrasting mirror-polished sides. 

The bracelet is made up of three-link rows with a vertical satin-brushed finish, while the central links are bevelled with contrasting mirror polish. It is these details that give the bracelet-case pairing its vibrant appeal.

A POWERFUL ENGINE

In 2010, LAURENT FERRIER won the Men’s Watch prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) for its Classic Tourbillon. This watch was equipped with an ingenious manually wound movement complete with a tourbillon and a double balance spring. The new Grand Sport Tourbillon is driven by this exact same movement, although it has been given a more contemporary finish.

The carriage holding this double-balance-spring tourbillon, visible through the sapphire crystal case back, is worthy of the most high-performance automobile engines. The complex mechanics of the tourbillon movement pay tribute to centuries-old expertise. Patented by Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1801, the tourbillon countered the adverse effects of gravity on the regulating organ of a pocket watch when it was held upright. By equipping the balance with two reverse-assembled balance springs, the lateral displacement of the balance’s axis is also neutralised. Integrating these two systems combines their respective advantages for excellent accuracy and a power reserve of over 80 hours. 

The movement incorporates a long-blade ratchet system, which, in addition to its aesthetic value with its hand-worked curves, emits a gentle, reassuring sound when the watch is wound. LAURENT FERRIER has embellished the movement with a horizontal satin-brushed finish and ruthenium treatment, which reinforce the sporty style of this timepiece.The tourbillon carriage bridge has been meticulously decorated by hand. The movement is also mirror-polished and has 30 hand-worked interior angles.

As with all Laurent Ferrier creations, the beauty of this exceptional timepiece resides in the smallest of details, where each element has been meticulously crafted to perfection. As a result, the highly exclusive Grand Sport Tourbillon Golden Brown is issued in a limited edition of just 24 timepieces at the price of CHF 225,000.