Introducing: The Laurent Ferrier Classic Auto Sandstone, The Marriage Of Two Collections
What We Know
Uniquely classic with modern touches, there is no brand quite like Laurent Ferrier. For Geneva Watch Days 2024, two of its most popular collections have been combined to create a new and entirely on-brand watch. If you know Laurent Ferrier, you know the Classic Micro-Rotor. This is the brand’s flagship product, combining horological innovation with a level of finishing on par with only the best. Looking at the past few years of Laurent Ferrier releases, the integrated bracelet Sport Auto has been a clear focus and a respectable expansion of the brand’s design language into a new watch category.
The Laurent Ferrier Classic Auto, the model introduced today, expertly combines the Classic Micro-Rotor and Sport Auto. The result is remarkably congruent. The case shape, hands, and dial indices call to the Classic Micro-Rotor – but the movement, cross-hair dial detail, and date aperture are borrowed from the Sport Auto. Everything comes together to produce what Laurent Ferrier sees as the perfect everyday wear watch.
For the first Classic Auto, Laurent Ferrier has gone with a salmon-esque dial treatment that is clearly meant to reference the warm tones of vintage watches. The center section is vertically satin-brushed, and the outer minute track features circular satin brushing for a subtle two-tone look. The elongated and gently sloped date aperture is meant to naturally draw the eye while offering some symmetry against the elongated hour markers. Assegai hands and drop-shaped indices, both rendered in 18k white gold, complete the look on the wrist. The case is crafted in stainless steel and well-proportioned at 40mm in diameter by 11.94mm thick.
Laurent Ferrier’s automatic caliber LF270.01 powers the Classic Auto. Previously only found within the Sport case, this movement is designed, decorated, assembled, and adjusted in the brand’s workshops. Rather than Laurent Ferrier’s natural escapement, a Swiss lever escapement has been chosen here for shock resistance. 139 manual finishing operations are completed to produce just a single example of the caliber LF270.01. All of this work is on display through an exhibition caseback. A platinum micro-rotor produces a power reserve of 72 hours when fully wound.
The Classic Auto Sandstone is offered as a part of Laurent Ferrier’s Serie Atelier program. That means 20 numbered pieces are available directly from the brand for CHF 50,000, allowing collectors an unusually short delivery time. The Series Atelier program has been around since 2020 and all previous limited production runs have sold out.
What We Think
Shortly after its founding in 2009, Laurent Ferrier was a watch world darling. The young brand took home the 2010 GPHG award for best men’s watch thanks to the Classic Tourbillon Double-Spiral. From there, Laurent Ferrier garnered great fanfare, releasing iterations of the Classic shape with various complications and dial colors. Then, something happened. The watch world looked elsewhere, and the spotlight on Laurent Ferrier was no longer quite as bright. Nevertheless, LF persisted. The brand continued to do what makes it great: expert finishing and traditional design.
The reality is that a classically designed and executed wristwatch at this price point can reach a point of attrition. This takes years and is part of what occurred with Laurent Ferrier. Holding true to a very clean look, even when dipping into trends like an integrated bracelet sports watch, can result in a boom or bust cycle of attention. When overall collector taste is focused on your look, things are great, but when true sport watches are in vogue, a brand like Laurent Ferrier might not be at the top of your mind – this is normal.
I am a huge fan of this brand, and I see a real revival of attention coming back to Laurent Ferrier. At the macro level, the pendulum is moving in LF’s direction with a clear focus on timeless design and an overall “dress” aesthetic. If the brand can keep creating great products like today’s Classic Auto Sandstone and the Classic Moon from Watches & Wonders 2024, Laurent Ferrier is well on its way to being “back.” These are beautiful and interesting new watches that offer slight iterations on the overall Laurent Ferrier theme and are precisely what collectors want from the brand.
We are seeing a very “if you build it, they will come” moment for Laurent Ferrier – take notice.
The Basics
Brand: Laurent Ferrier
Model: Classic Auto Sandstone
Reference Number: LCF046.AC.B2G1
Diameter: 40mm
Thickness: 11.94mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Dial Color: Lacquered in coppery shades
Indexes: 18k white gold
Lume: No
Water Resistance: 30 meters
Strap/Bracelet: Dark brown calf leather with tone-on-tone Alcantara lining
The Movement
Caliber: LF270.01
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date
Diameter: 31.6mm
Thickness: 4.85mm
Power Reserve: 72 hours
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Jewels: 31
Number of components: 215
Pricing & Availability
Price: CHF 50,000
Availability: Now
Limited Edition: Yes, 20 pieces
For more, visit Laurent Ferrier.
Hodinkee
