Extending its elegant sports watch line, the Sport Auto, Laurent Ferrier has introduced a new version crafted entirely in 18K red gold. The refined model, the Sport Auto 79, has been released on the occasion of the brand’s 15th anniversary and pays tribute to its motorsport heritage. The Sport Auto 79 is named in homage to the pivotal moment that inspired the creation of Laurent Ferrier as a brand. It was on June 9, 1979, when Laurent Ferrier and François Servanin co-drove a Porsche 935 Turbo to a remarkable third-place finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans—behind only other Porsche 935s, one of which was steered by the legendary Paul Newman. This shared passion for precision and performance eventually became the foundation for their watchmaking partnership.

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Following the earlier titanium editions—one in classic blue and the other in limited green—the Sport Auto 79 is the collection’s most luxurious version to date. The barrel-shaped case and integrated bracelet are fully made in 18K red gold, lending the watch a warmer, dressier tone. The case measures 41.5 mm in diameter and has a thickness of 12.7 mm, with a combination of circular satin-brushed surfaces, polished bevels, and two domed sapphire crystals. It offers water resistance up to 120 metres. Maintaining the sculptural character of the case is the brand’s signature ball-shaped screw-down crown. The integrated bracelet features a classic 3-link design with satin-brushed surfaces and polished accents.

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The dial complements the warmth of the red gold with its refined cream tone that has a rose-silver hue—achieved through a galvanic opaline finish that imparts a powdery softness. There are applied markers and assegai-shaped hands in solid red gold, all filled with white Super‑LumiNova® for legibility. The transfers have a subtly powdered grey texture, the small seconds subdial is snailed, and a date aperture at 3 o’clock features an anthracite-on-white date disc.

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Powering the timepiece is the in-house automatic calibre LF270.01, which runs with a power reserve of 72 hours. The movement uses a traditional Swiss lever escapement and an integrated platinum micro-rotor. It is decorated with laser engravings nodding to the 1979 Le Mans race, ruthenium-treated bridges with vertical satin brushing, polished interior angles, and hand-finished bevels. The bridge over the micro-rotor is mirror-polished with hand-bevelled edges.

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The Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto 79 is now part of the brand’s permanent collection. It is priced at CHF 79,000 (excluding taxes; approx. INR 83,90,000), an intentional nod to the year 1979 that inspired it.

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