Laurent Ferrier’s entry into the sports watches category began with the Grand Sport Tourbillon, which was initially released on a rubber strap in 2019 and was followed up the next year by a model that came on a matching steel bracelet. Considering only 12 of each of these models were produced (let alone their nearly US $200,000 price tag), they were a way for the brand to dip its toe into the surging sports watch market. It wasn’t until the early 2022 release of the Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto that the brand launched a serious integrated bracelet sports watch geared toward those many enthusiasts seeking something different from the usual Patek Philippe Nautilus or Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. 

I categorise the Sport Auto in what I affectionately refer to as the “integrated indies” segment, an admittedly niche subgroup. Over the past few years we’ve seen the remarkable success of watches like the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF, H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner, and Czapek & Cie. Antarctique, all of which are priced substantially less than the Sport Auto. If I were writing this article when the Sport Auto first launched, I would consider the possibility that this places Laurent Ferrier’s integrated sports watch in a precarious position. However, the fact is that these are sold immediately with demand far exceeding supply. The reason—beyond exceptional watchmaking, of course—is simple: Scarcity. A ‘limited edition’ designation for any Laurent Ferrier would be silly considering the brand’s total output is a couple of hundred watches per year and I am told the Sport Auto will be capped at just over 100 pieces per year, making for a very rare watch indeed.

Though it is fairly common knowledge amongst the horological cognoscenti at this point, it is worth reiterating that Laurent Ferrier worked at Patek Philippe for nearly four decades before launching his eponymous brand in 2009. Indeed, he was part of the team that developed and launched the Nautilus so it is not surprising to see certain shared elements. That said, the Sport Auto really is pure Laurent Ferrier in design and style. I’ve always found a distinct serenity to Laurent Ferrier’s brand of minimalism. His effortlessly smooth, curvilinear forms have a way of accentuating the beauty of the basics while being nearly wholly devoid of any unnecessary or attention-seeking pomp. Many watchmakers and brands have tried their hand at minimalism but few have succeeded as cogently and comprehensively across their collections as Laurent Ferrier. 

Of course, I’m discussing a sports watch here and not a zen garden. The Sport Auto is performing a balancing act between this design minimalism and Ferrier’s past life as a race car driver serving as inspiration. Again, most of you reading this likely already know this other part of his biography but, in addition to his work at Patek Philippe, Laurent Ferrier participated in the 1979 Le Mans race where he and future brand co-founder François Sérvanin actually came in third place. With that context in mind, one has to ask: Does the Sport Auto successfully infuse the brand’s minimalist ethos with an almost-contradictory dose of racing-inspired sportiness? And does it even matter?  While the latter question is really a subjective matter, the former can be answered with a resounding affirmative. 

Let’s start with the case of the Sport Auto. Not really a cushion and not really a square but a blend of two, the Sport Auto case achieves a certain solidity of design while really having no straight lines at all. The smooth curves of the raised bezel are given form at its corners, which are only enhanced by contrasting against the perfect roundness of the dial and curvature of the case beneath. Note the polished edges of the raised bezel, which are so masterfully done that you’d be forgiven for thinking this is a steel watch rather than titanium. You’d also be forgiven for underestimating the Sport Auto’s robust 120-metre water resistance when taking a look at that very traditional onion-shaped crown, which is actually done as a screw-down for the first time. But that’s what this watch is all about, isn’t it? The interplay of serenity and sportiness, of tranquillity and toughness.

The Sport Auto measures 41.5mm wide and 12.7mm thick though it wears a bit smaller due to the short lugs. Of course, the Grade 5 titanium case and bracelet make for a lightweight wearing experience that is simply superior to any steel rival. Yes, it is considerably more difficult to achieve this level of finishing and machining on titanium but the trade-off in everyday wearability and practicality is well worth it. Aesthetically, the gaps between the three-link bracelet are the only giveaway that we are dealing with but the subtle curves and polished flanks of the brushed links more than make up for this.

Beneath the domed sapphire, the gradient matte blue opaline dial serves as an excellent backdrop for Laurent Ferrier’s iconic Assegai-shaped hands. The white-gold hands and indexes are pristinely finished and filled with a very light green lume. At first, I was ambivalent toward the lume but it really does help pull the whole sports watch vibe together. For me, however, the date window is the star of the dial. Simple yet magnetic in its allure, the bevelled date window is a triumph of design and a demonstration of subtle creativity and thoughtfulness that is sadly too rarely seen. Finally, the crosshair at the centre of the powdery blue dial adds some structure by connecting to the date window as well as the seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock. 

And then there is the Caliber LF 270.01, a micro-rotor movement with 72-hour power reserve that was debuted for the Sport Auto. Some adjustments were made to the more standard dress-watch-oriented Laurent Ferrier movement architecture in order to get a calibre truly fitting the ‘sport watch’ designation. The somewhat delicate natural escapement typically used is swapped out with a far more resilient Swiss lever. Beyond this, they switched out the usual ratchet system with a unidirectional ball-bearing mechanism that can far better handle shocks and vibrations. 

But really, it’s all about the finishes when it comes to Laurent Ferrier, isn’t it? The off-centre micro rotor is done in 950 platinum (which is actually a first for the brand), which contrasts so well against the ruthenium-coated finishes seen on the plates and throughout the movement. The transversal bridge above the micro rotor also gets the hand-finished treatment with its mirror polish and angles that are softened using Gentian wood and diamantine. Speaking of angles, there is so much fantastic anglage throughout the LF 270.01 that it is really a delight to observe under a loupe. You’ll also notice a few inward angles while appreciating the satin-brushing, circular graining, and zinc-polished surfaces.

The Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto is somehow both a fitting tribute to the racing history of its founder as well as a study in subtlety of design. It is unassumingly simple to the untrained eye but for those in the know, it is a work of horological art in titanium done by a master of his craft. It is also meant to be worn and enjoyed but only for those lucky few who are able to get their hands on one of these very low production watches. And if you are, the CHF 46,000 price of admission is well worth it.