Classic Auto Sandstone: The Perfect Blend of Time and Elegance

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In the beating heart of Geneva, where horological tradition meets modernity, LAURENT FERRIER unveils a new interpretation of time and elegance. Born from the desire to merge the robustness of a sports watch with the timeless refinement of the Classic collection, LAURENT FERRIER presents the new Classic Auto Sandstone

The Sixth Opus in The Serie Atelier

Since 2020, LAURENT FERRIER has been offering its community a limited edition each year. These very exclusive pieces are available quickly, you only have to be among the first to order them online or by directly contacting LAURENT FERRIER. The idea is to allow a select group of collectors to acquire a precious timepiece with a particularly short delivery time.

A new model

The name Classic Auto imposes itself as a natural and elegant choice for this new model, perfectly in harmony with the spirit of the LAURENT FERRIER collection. By adopting the denomination “Auto,” already present in the Sport Auto, this model underscores the common heritage of the two watches, both equipped with the same excellent automatic calibre. This model, with its automatic movement featuring a micro-rotor, resistant to any challenge, and its date function, perfectly illustrates the balance between tradition and modernity, offering sophistication suited for both formal occasions and everyday life.

A timeless case

Imagined by the master watchmaker himself, the new Classic Auto stands out with its iconic round, pebble-shaped case, from the Classic collection. Presented here in stainless steel, it houses the robust LF 270.01 automatic movement, initially designed for the Sport Auto. This harmonious marriage of styles creates a piece that is both extremely elegant yet entirely unpretentious, perfect for modern adventurers who demand the best of both worlds.

A revisited dial

A rose-hued dial recalls the warm, vintage nuances of watches from the last century. It integrates a touch of modernity with neutral and dynamic shades like sand and earth. These earthy and coppery tones assert themselves and blend discreetly, revealing a subtle yet confident spirit. These neutral tones are intrinsically linked to nature and the earth itself, symbolising a sense of stability and serenity. Psychologically, sand and earth tones are perceived as soothing and balancing; far from being flamboyant, they are discreet and constant, encouraging a strong character grounded in the present moment. It is a subtle reminder of the beauty of nature and the continuity of time, a tribute to the heritage of LAURENT FERRIER.

The Classic Auto Sandstone is much more than a watch; it is a testimony. It tells the story of harmony between elegance and utility. The duality of this new model is represented even on the dial, composed of two distinct finishes. The centre of the dial offers a vertically satin-brushed finish. Thus, when light ripples across it, one can see an alternation of beige shades, from the lightest to the darkest, from the warmest to the coolest. The railway track, on the other hand, remains unchanged, unwavering thanks to its circular satin-brushed finish. True to the Classic collection, drop-shaped white gold indexes complete the elegance of this dial.

The most remarkable feature is the window with pure and subtle lines that create a gentle slope that the eyes are pleased to follow, naturally leading the gaze towards the date indication, clear and readable in slate grey on its white disc. To enhance this line and bring some dynamism to this piece that is both elegant and nonchalant, the window is finely framed in slate grey. The dial is also marked by a matching central cross to dramatically highlight the triumphant position of the spear-shaped Assegai hands, in struck white gold. The small seconds, recessed at 6 o’clock, is finely snailed and punctuated by slate grey markers and a baton hand.

A sporty calibre

The second automatic calendar movement from the brand, initially housed in the Sport Auto, the LF270.01 calibre is the result of an exclusive development by LAURENT FERRIER. A subtle homage to the brand’s first automatic movement, the Micro-Rotor with a natural escapement, this calibre is entirely designed, decorated, assembled and adjusted in the LAURENT FERRIER workshops.

Here, it features a Swiss lever escapement, resistant to the most physical situations, utilising an automatic winding system via an off-centred micro-mass. For significant benefits in shock and vibration resistance, this movement is equipped with a unidirectional ball bearing. Like a balance wheel, the micro-rotor is equipped with a 950-platinum oscillating mass, placed directly between the plate and the micro-rotor bridge to ensure ideal stability and maximised winding power. Once fully wound, this calibre offers a power reserve of over 72 hours.

A strong attention to detail

The sapphire crystal case back reveals a movement with impeccable finishes, whose architecture mirrors the prized curves of the Micro-Rotor with a natural escapement. We find a platinum mass, but a new decoration replaces the data from Le Mans 1979 present on the Sport Auto. Inspired by the micro-rotor of the FBN229.01 calibre, this engraved decoration illustrates bird feathers, associated with the beak-shaped automatic bridge. The engraved feathers are accompanied by chevrons indicating the winding direction.

Each LF 270.01 calibre alone requires more than 139 manual finishing operations. This same automatic bridge previously mentioned is, among others, the subject of multiple hand-finishing processes: the angles are softened and then finished with gentian and diamantine, while the surface is mirror-polished. Furthermore, the movement features some interior angles, multiple zinc-polished surfaces, and numerous satin- and circular-graining finishes, all carried out by hand in the LAURENT FERRIER workshops. The rhodium-plated Côtes de Genève across all the bridges provide the final touch to this exceptional calibre.

In line with previous editions, this Série Atelier VI: Classic Auto Sandstone is limited to 20 numbered pieces and is priced at CHF 50,000 excluding taxes, exclusively available on the website www.laurentferrier.ch from 29 August 2024.