Independent Swiss maison Laurent Ferrier is introducing a new edition of its Grand Sport Tourbillon, this time in ‘golden brown’. The warm-toned, autumnal-looking watch, which is a limited edition of only 24 pieces, marks 12 years of the Laurent Ferrier manufacture, which swiftly became a world renowned watchmaker following its founding in 2009. This was partly due to the creation of its double spiral tourbillon, which also makes an appearance in the new golden-brown Grand Sport model.
For the Grand Sport Tourbillon Golden Brown‘s integrated case and bracelet, the manufacture solely uses 18-carat 5N red gold. This gives the watch a warmer touch in comparison to its all-steel predecessors, with the launch of the first Grand Sport Tourbillon model taking place in 2019. Just like its siblings, however, the case shape draws inspiration from the timeless and elegant curves of racing cars. This makes sense given that the Grand Sport collection stems from the two founders’ love and knowledge of motorsport.
In addition, the 44 mm case features a screw-down middle case, bezel, and caseback, guaranteeing water resistance to 100 m. Furthermore, Laurent Ferrier decorates the cushion-shaped bezel with a circular satin-brushed finish, alongside contrasting mirror-polished sides. Meanwhile, the middle case part is satin-brushed. The result is a highly attractive aesthetic that manages to remain fairly subtle and classic, despite the watch’s golden hues.
Meanwhile, the opaline dial matches nicely to the case with its graduated shades of brown. Furthermore, the hour markers and hands mirror the case colour, indicating the time in 5N red gold. The hour markers and hands are in the shape of a spear. Laurent Ferrier describe this signature style as ‘Assegai’. An assegai, interestingly, is a slender iron-tipped, hardwood spear used chiefly by in southern Africa. Both indices and hands are filled with Super-LumiNova for legibility around the clock. Last but not least, the dial offers small seconds at 6 o’clock.
Ticking away inside the new Grand Sport Tourbillon Golden Brown is still the award-winning LF 619.01 calibre. The in-house movement made waves back in 2010, appearing in a Classic Tourbillon that won the Men’s Watch category at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. The manual-winding calibre, complete with tourbillon and double balance spring, beats at a frequency of 3 Hz and offers a power reserve of 80 hours.
One difference to the original movement, however, is the more updated finishing, from the horizontal satin-brushing to ruthenium treatment on the bridges. Last but not least, the tourbillon carriage is visible via the caseback. It’s interesting, in a day and age in which many like to showcase their complicated watches, that Laurent Ferrier conceal the tourbillon on this model.
Last but not least, 24 pieces of the red-gold Laurent Ferrier Grand Sport Tourbillon Golden Brown is available. This makes for double the amount of limited steel editions that have been available in the past. Furthermore, past models have appeared on a sporty steel bracelet or rubber strap. By contrast, the new timepiece comes with a three-link red gold bracelet, which secures to the wrist using a folding clasp. The price of this special piece is 225,000 CHF (without tax).
