This year, Laurent Ferrier has unveiled three watches with green dials. Two are “Evergreen” models featuring the house’s “Micro-Rotor” movement, the self-winding FBN 229.01 calibre. The third is an exclusive limited edition honouring the pivotal motorsport success that eventually led to the founding of the brand.
Square & Classic Micro-Rotor Evergreen Models
The two new Micro-Rotor models are the Square Micro-Rotor Evergreen and the Classic Micro-Rotor Evergreen. These two new timepieces are equipped with the FBN 229.01 calibre, a Laurent Ferrier signature. This self-winding movement is equipped with a micro-rotor with natural escapement, a technical innovation that has been particularly well-received by enthusiasts. Characterised by a unidirectional ratchet-type micro-rotor, it boasts a three-day power reserve.
This in-house movement is equipped with a silicon escapement with a double direct impulse to the balance wheel – an innovation that allows the balance to be restarted twice per oscillation, requiring two escapement wheels and a pallet-lever with adjusted geometry. This escapement’s efficiency ensures a high-amplitude balance wheel. Since less mechanical force is needed for winding the barrel spring, the movement’s winding mechanism is optimised.
The Square Micro-Rotor Evergreen model has a cushion-shaped stainless steel case combined with a delicate deep green dial with a vertical satin-brushed finish. The Square model’s case, measuring 41mm x 41mm, provides a more assertive presence on the wrist compared to the Classic model. With its aerodynamic curves, symmetry, and elaborate lines, it exudes sophistication.
The Classic Micro-Rotor Evergreen features the same green dial with its refined finishes but is nestled in the round case of the Classic collection. Made out of 18-carat red gold, this 40mm case design draws inspiration from the elegant, understated pocket watches of the 19th century.
Both cases feature drop-shaped indices and spear-shaped hour and minute hands. On the Square model, the indices and hands are in 18-carat white gold, while the Classic has 18-carat red gold. The small seconds at 6 o’clock is finely snailed with matte white markers.
Both cases also feature a ball-shaped winding crown, allowing for smooth handling. The hooked case back, topped with sapphire crystal, allows the wearer to admire the movement in all its beauty without distraction. Both the Square and the Classic cases are water-resistant up to 30 metres and are fastened with a brown calf leather strap, hand-stitched, with matching Alcantara lining.
Sport Auto 40
On June 9, 1979, François Servanin and Laurent Ferrier, the brand’s two founders, started the 47th edition of the race in the legendary Porsche 935 Turbo. In an exceptional achievement for a team of amateur drivers, they placed third in the overall rankings despite being one of 60 cars on the starting line. In addition, the team also won second place in group V, and Servanin was named Best French Driver of the competition. This feat created a bond between the two men that eventually led to the founding their own watchmaking house – Laurent Ferrier.
Inspired by Ferrier and Servanin’s Porsche 935 Turbo No. 40, the watchmaker presents the new Série Atelier Sport Auto 40. This limited edition of just 40 numbered pieces has the same dial colour as the racing car.
The gradient viridian green dial, with an opaline finish and a semi-glossy lacquer, is decorated with a fuchsia transfer that forms a cross in the middle and runs around the cleverly chamfered date aperture at 3 o’clock. The minute track is indicated by a green transfer in the same shade as the centre of the watch. Orange Super-LumiNova on the white gold indexes and hands adds extra character to this new timepiece. Recalling the sticker of the racing car, a tone-on-tone “40” proudly sits on the opaline white small seconds dial at 6 o’clock.
The exterior of the Sport Auto model recalls the aerodynamic design of racing cars by blending round curves with arched lines. The 41.5 mm-diameter square-ish case in grade 5 titanium is juxtaposed by a tonneau-shaped case middle with a softer-looking bezel. The case is paired with an integrated grade 5 titanium bracelet.
Each of the case’s surfaces are finished in a different way. The bezel has a circular satin-brushed finish that contrasts with the mirror-polished sides and the vertical satin-brushed case middle. The three-link metal bracelet features vertical satin-brushed surfaces accentuated by mirror-polished angled sides.
The iconic ball-shaped crown is screwed in and elegantly incorporated into the case middle. The crown’s generous proportions mean that it is pleasant to operate when first starting up the self-winding movement. This component provides water resistance up to 120 metres, making it practical for everyday wear.
The Sport Auto 40 is powered by the LF270.01 calibre, the brand’s second self-winding movement with a calendar. It incorporates a Swiss pallet escapement and an off-centred micro-rotor self-winding system. This movement has been entirely designed, decorated, assembled, and adjusted at Laurent Ferrier’s workshops.
To significantly improve its resistance to impacts and vibrations, it has been fitted with a unidirectional ball bearing. Like a balance wheel, the micro-rotor has an oscillating weight in 950 platinum positioned directly between the main plate and the rotor bridge to give optimum stability and maximum winding power. When fully wound, this calibre offers a power reserve of more than 72 hours.
In keeping with the watchmaker’s standards, the movement presents immaculate finishes. The sapphire crystal case back reveals the full beauty of the calibre to truly delight lovers of traditional haute horology. The horizontal satin-brushed and ruthenium-treated bridges make it particularly dynamic.
Each LF 270.01 calibre requires more than 139 manual finishing operations. The components are meticulously hand-decorated. For example, the rotor bridge’s angles are softened and then finished with gentian wood and diamantine, while the surface is mirror polished. The movement also features several internal angles, multiple zinc-polished surfaces, and numerous satin-brushed and circular-grained finishes, all carried out by hand in the brand’s workshops.
This new “Série Atelier” is available exclusively on the Laurent Ferrier website.
