IN-DEPTH: The Racing Story of Laurent Ferrier and the Creation of The Sport Auto Watch

#laurentferrier #monochromewatches -------------------- The Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto isn’t the first attempt of the brand to enter the highly competitive market of the luxury sports watch. Two years ago already, LF presented a watch that showed most attributes of the category, with an integrated design, a combination of robustness and superior mechanics, and a rather personal touch to make this Grand Sport unique in the sports watch field. Yet, the production was highly confidential and the price, since the watch was equipped with a complex tourbillon movement, was equally exclusive. Behind the Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto – as you’ve probably guessed by the name – is a story of a friendship and passion for motorsport and watches. The brand Laurent Ferrier was founded by two long-time friends; watch industry professional Laurent Ferrier on one side, François Servanin, entrepreneur and investor on the other side. The creation of the independent watchmaking company is, however, just another step in their shared odyssey, which began next to racing circuits. In June 1979, behind the wheel of a Porsche 935 Turbo, the two friends will manage to finish 3rd overall, just behind a certain Paul Newman, at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. As a token of gratitude, Laurent offered Servanin a Patek Philippe Nautilus (remember that Ferrier spent more than 35 years working at Patek). The answer of Servanin to this gift was the starting point of the next adventure “What if after this feat, we con