Last month, Laurent Ferrier unveiled a new stainless steel version of the Grand Sport Tourbillon — now with an integrated stainless steel bracelet and a blue gradient dial.
From the center of the dial the opaline blue transitions from blue to black near the outer edges. Applied on top of the dial are Laurent Ferrier’s signature Assegai-shaped 18K white gold indices (except at 6 o’clock) and Assegai-shaped 18K white gold hour and minutes hands. The orange lume on the hands and indices contrasts against the blue-to-black dial color and alludes to the sporty nature of this timepiece.
The brand logo, “TOURBILLON GRAND SPORT,” a crosshair in the center, the small seconds track, and the minute ring on the peripheral of the dial are all printed in white. Small seconds are displayed at 6 o’clock via a sunken subdial and baton-shaped hand mounted on the tourbillon frame pivot (which is visible on the movement side).
At 44 mm in diameter, the watch retains its cushion-shaped bezel and barrel-shaped middle case. Most of the case is satin-finished with circular or vertical brushed elements, mixed with minimal mirror-polished surfaces.
A slightly domed, tinted sapphire crystal protects the dial side. The crown is smooth and unobtrusive, with crown guards that blend into the case. The depth rating is 100 meters.
A steel caseback secured by four bolts with a sapphire window offers a view of the in-house-made manually wound caliber LF 619.01. The movement remains unchanged from the previously introduced Grand Sport Tourbillon from 2019 and is the same movement that was inside the Classic Tourbillon that won the Best Men’s Watch Award at the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix (GPHG) in 2010, although now presented in a slightly different finish.
Featuring horizontal satin-brushed ruthenium-plated bridges, with polished jewel sinks and hand-beveled and polished edges — this darker, contemporary aesthetic is fitting for a sports wristwatch.
Like the gear train and barrel bridges, the tourbillon carriage bridge is painstakingly decorated by hand — featuring a mirror polish and 30 handcrafted interior angles.
The movement measures 31.6 mm x 5.57 mm, beats at 3Hz, has 188 components, 23 jewels, and an 80-hour power reserve. The tourbillon frame cage is uniquely positioned on the periphery of the balance wheel. The balance wheel operates free-sprung with variable geometry adjusted by screws. While the Swiss lever escapement is the standard for mechanical watches, this watch uses a very rare opposite double balance spring. By combining the vertical gravity-correcting functionality of a tourbillon with a balance with two reverse-fitted balance springs, the lateral displacement of the balance axis is also neutralized.
According to Laurent Ferrier, “The integration of both systems combines these respective benefits, conferring excellent precision. Indeed, this has been independently validated by the Besançon observatory, culminating in the award of chronometer certification.”
Finishing off the new look is the integrated stainless steel bracelet with 3-rows of links with vertical satin finishing and rounded edges with a mirrored finish, secured by a folding clasp.
The Grand Tourbillon Sport Acier (Ref. LCF041.2.AC.C1GO) is available as a 12-piece numbered limited edition. The retail price is $185,000.
Photos by Laurent Ferrier.
