Introducing Laurent Ferrier's New Porsche-Inspired Sports Watch

What We Know

Passionate automotive driver-turned indie watchmaking legend Laurent Ferrier is back with a Série Atelier (limited edition) Sport Auto watch inspired by Ferrier's racing past. Playing off an iconic 1970s car and using the brand's sporty framework, the new Sport Auto 40 has a lot going for it.

We're talking about a 41.5mm by 12.7mm grade 5 titanium case with integrated titanium bracelet and 120 meters of water resistance, exquisitely-finished caliber LF270.01 micro-rotor movement with 72 hours of power reserve, and a beautiful gradient viridian green opaline dial. But what about the "40" in the name?

Let's go back to 1970. Laurent Ferrier was a third-generation watchmaker in Switzerland but had a passion that caused him to leave the watchmaking world in 1968 (at the age of 22), and start selling automotive components, with the hope of participating in some motor races along the way, before being drawn back to watchmaking by 1974. But in 1979, Ferrier decided to have a bit of "fun" – as one does – and enter the 24 Hour of Le Mans with friends François Servanin and François Trisconi, in the Porsche 935 Turbo No. 40. Their version of "fun" was to try to place as high as possible, but they did better than expected. The team placed third overall, won second place in Group V, and François Servanin (founder and President of Laurent Ferrier) was named best French driver of the competition.

The dial color, lume, and accents are all inspired by the livery of that Porsche 935 Turbo No. 40, making it a perfect watch to encapsulate Ferrier's circuitous path across both watchmaking and automotive history. The watch is available only on the Laurent Ferrier website and is limited (appropriately) to 40 pieces for 51,000 CHF.

What We Think

I sadly rarely get a chance to go "hands-on" with Laurent Ferrier's watches but I get the impression I could have a lot of fun with this watch. It's sporty, sleek, and great high-end watchmaking. What more could you want?

I've only met Ferrier himself in person once and he seemed like a fun, happy, and passionate guy and that comes through in his watches. I love the personal reason behind the watch and its ties to Ferrier's history in automotive racing. The car that the watch is based on is pure 1970s colors slathered all over crazy 1970s Porsche engineering. With that in mind, I'd have loved to see Laurent Ferrier lean into those colors a bit more. Slightly more teal green, louder punches of pink-ish purple. I mean, look at this thing. Give me the '70s on a watch, full throttle.

The Porsche 935 Turbo No. 40.

Everything else is exactly what you'd want and expect from Laurent Ferrier. A signature micro-rotor movement, great finish, sporty and yet bold design like the other Sport Auto releases. While 12.7mm reads slightly thick on paper, I'll have to try one on in person. And, with that said, I give credit to Laurent Ferrier for making a sports watch with 120 meters of water resistance and a display caseback. I hate that such a thing is worth celebrating nowadays, but there's a heck of a lot of "sports" watches on the market without actual sporty specs.

I'm going to do a bit of "manifesting" here. I'm not sure what happened to the Porsche 935 Turbo No. 40, but if it's out there, please, automotive and watch gods, I'm praying to you. Let me take this new Laurent Ferrier for a spin in that car. Best Week on the Wrist yet? I can hope.

The Basics

Brand: Laurent Ferrier
Model: Série Atelier Sport Auto 40

Diameter: 41.5mm
Thickness: 12.7mm
Case Material: Grade 5 titanium
Dial Color: Gradient viridian green opaline dial with green and anthracite transfers and matte white opaline small seconds at 6 o'clock with semi-glossy opaline "40"
Indexes: White gold with lume
Lume: Orange Super-LumiNova on indices and hands
Water Resistance: 120m
Strap/Bracelet: Integrated three-link Grade 5 titanium bracelet with Grade 5 titanium deployant buckle

The Movement

Caliber: LF270.01
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date at 3:00
Diameter: 32.50 mm
Thickness: 4.85 mm
Power Reserve: 72 hours
Winding: Automatic micro-rotor
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations/hour
Jewels: 31 Jewels
Additional Details: Horizontal satin finishing and ruthenium treatment on the bridges