Geneva Watch Days 2023: Laurent Ferrier Unveils the Fifth Watch of the Iconic Série Atelier Collection

Time and again it has been proved that the world of horology and automobiles share an unshakeable bond. On 9 June 1979, François Servanin and Laurent Ferrier, the brand's two founders, took part in the 47th edition of the 24 Hours of the Le Mans race in the legendary Porsche 935 Turbo, a racing version of the legendary Porsche 911 Turbo. Given the restriction of a four-cylinder engine, the German auto giant was able to fit a 2.9-litre engine to produce close to 600 bhp. Servanin and Ferrier, both amateur drivers, were placed third in the overall race rankings. Inspired by the vehicle that brought them the ultimate glory, Laurent Ferrier has unveiled at the ongoing Geneva Watch Days the Sport Auto 40 (Ref. LCF040.T1.V1GCO), the fifth watch in the Série Atelier collection.

During the 24 hours of Le Mans race, the car that covers the greatest distance in 24 hours is declared the winner — it is the ultimate endurance test for man and machine. This doesn’t mean that a single driver will drive for a full 24 hours, several drivers can take turns. According to the rules, no driver can spend more than 14 hours driving the racing car concerned; most drivers spend at least six hours behind the wheel in a team of at least three drivers. Teams swap drivers when they schedule pit stops for refuelling and tyre maintenance.

The new 41.5 mm titanium watch is inspired by the Porsche 935 Turbo No. 40, with a dial featuring the colours of this legendary racing car. The watch also gets a tonneau-shaped case with a bezel that has rounded edges; a gradient viridian green dial with an opaline finish; a green-anthracite transfer; and a semi-glossy lacquer. At the centre of the dial, there are fuchsia lines that intersect and create an outline for the date window at 3 o’clock. The minute markings are indicated in green while white gold can be found on hour markers. The hour, minute hands are "Sagaie-shaped" with orange Super-LumiNova. The sticker of the racing car No. 40 sits on the opaline white small seconds dial at 6 o'clock, with a baton-shaped hand. The ball-shaped crown at 3 o’clock is screwed-in and incorporated into the case middle.

Powering the watch is the self-winding LF270.01 calibre with 72 hours of power reserve. The movement gets horizontal satin finishing and ruthenium treatment on the bridges. Turning the watch over reveals the sapphire crystal caseback with four visible screws and an off-centred micro-rotor; one can also spot an oscillating weight in 950 platinum, positioned directly between the main plate and the rotor bridge. The rotor bridge is hand-decorated and angular, and then finished with gentian wood and diamantine while the surface is mirror-polished. The watch is finished on an integrated three-link grade 5 titanium bracelet with a grade 5 titanium deployant buckle.