Hands-On With The Decadent Yet Tasteful Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto 79
Laurent Ferrier is one of my favorite modern watchmakers, so when a new LF model comes out, it always piques my attention. This time, I got the chance to go hands-on with the latest creation, the Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto 79. And that, my dear Fratelli, is a chance I wouldn’t dream of passing up.
The new Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto 79 is made of 5N rose gold, providing a luxurious successor to its titanium predecessors. Let’s take a closer look!
Rooted in the 24 Hours of Le Mans
The new Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto 79 is, in essence, a rose gold version of the existing Sport Auto 40 in titanium. You would be forgiven for thinking that “40” refers to the case diameter, but it doesn’t. In fact, the model was inspired by the Porsche 935 Turbo donning number 40 that Laurent Ferrier and François Servanin (the founder and president of the Laurent Ferrier brand) drove in the 1979 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Laurent Ferrier made his living in the automotive industry from 1968 until 1974, between watchmaking stints. After having returned to watchmaking, he decided to take part in the 1979 edition of Le Mans. Ferrier and Servanin, together with François Trisconi, unexpectedly came in third overall and second in Group V. None too shabby, Mr. Ferrier!
So, while the Sport Auto 40 is named after the starting number of Ferrier’s Porsche, the 79 is named after the year of the event, 1979. The Sport Auto model, in general, is a subtly motorsport-inspired watch.
The new Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto 79’s specs
So, the Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto 79 has a 41.5mm diameter, just like the Sport Auto 40. Paired with the 12.7mm thickness, this makes for a substantial modern sports watch. Unlike the Sport Auto 40, the proportions aren’t offset by lightweight titanium. Rather, the Sport Auto 79 accentuates its assertive stance with a weighty rose gold build. The case retains its 120m water resistance rating and screw-down onion crown. As expected, you will find sapphire crystals up top and in the case back.
Inside ticks caliber LF270.01. This micro-rotor automatic movement does not feature Ferrier’s signature natural escapement but, instead, a Swiss lever escapement. It runs at 28,800 beats per hour and offers 72 hours of autonomy on a full wind. Laurent Ferrier designs, assembles, and finishes the caliber in-house.
Speaking of movement finishing, the LF270.01 offers a distinctly modern aesthetic. Its plates appear dark due to their ruthenium finish. Traditional Côtes de Genève striping makes way for satin-brushed surfaces. Still, you will find plenty of traditional finishes too, such as the beautiful anglage on the plates and perlage underneath. The balance bridge is of particular beauty, taking up to three hours to finish with gentian wood and diamond paste.
The Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto 79’s new dial
A particular highlight for me is the new dial inside the Sport Auto 79. Its cream-colored surface displays a silver-rose galvanic treatment and opaline finish. The result looks powdery matte with a beautiful texture. This dial exudes warmth and looks distinctly high-end and even dynamic for a matte dial.
Laurent Ferrier executes the crosshairs and minute track in powder gray. I find this a particularly good choice, as it provides an ever-so-slightly softer contrast than the more typical black. A concentric-grained sub-dial and Ferrier-typical sloped date window sit well within the overall dial layout.
The house managed to find a clear and characteristic design language, even if it hasn’t been around for long. The pointy droplet hour markers of different lengths and the similarly shaped hands are now instantly recognizable. For the Sport Auto 79, Ferrier executes them in the same 5N rose gold alloy as the case and bracelet.
Wearing the Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto 79
While the Sport Auto traces its roots to motor racing and is said to be inspired by automotive design, I don’t necessarily feel that when wearing the watch. The exterior design, for instance, isn’t nearly as sleek as I would associate with sports cars. To me, it looks and feels a bit plump. That might sound like criticism, but it is actually one of the (many) things I like about it.
The dial and the overall execution of the Sport Auto 79 are extremely elegant and subtle. The case and bracelet, in terms of shape and proportions, are much bolder and more muscular. This combination often leads to the most beautiful sports watches, in my humble opinion. I am delighted to report that this is the case here too. It doesn’t appear aerodynamic but is all the more attractive for it. It looks strong and tough on the wrist without appearing flashy, even in full gold.
Having worn the titanium Sport Auto 40 before, I can attest that this rose gold version appears larger. The weight and color of the gold play tricks on the mind, conspiring to make the watch look and feel larger. Still, the fit is highly ergonomic, making this a very wearable gold sports watch.
Closing thoughts
Spending time with the Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto 79 left me thoroughly impressed. I like that the Le Mans inspiration is subtle so that it doesn’t feel like a themed watch in the slightest. Only the keen observer will note that the rotor is engraved with details of the 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans. This is done so subtly that you cannot even see it without a loupe.
I simply love Laurent Ferrier’s design language, and it translates here very well. I do get a very slight feeling of a split personality in the Sport Auto 79. In all honesty, that is probably down to me being used to seeing this model in titanium. The jump from sporty, modern titanium to classical rose gold is significant, and it radically alters the nature of the watch. So, would I change anything? Well, maybe the gaps between the bracelet links could be smaller. This, of course, is a design choice rather than a tolerance issue, but I would prefer it to look tighter.
All of this, however, comes together in a beautifully elegant package. I don’t usually like full-gold sports watches; most are a bit too gaudy for my liking. You can trust Laurent Ferrier, though, to steer clear of that vibe, resulting in a gold watch that is simultaneously deliciously decadent and elegantly tasteful. And that, my dear Fratelli, is a rare combination. The new Sport Auto 79 has a price tag of CHF 79,000, which certainly aligns with its luxurious golden ambitions.
What do you think of the new Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto 79? Let us know in the comments below!
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