New and Reviewed: Laurent Ferrier Grand Sport Tourbillon for Sincere

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The fourth of a series of 12 limited editions for the Sincere 70th Anniversary is unveiled today. Here is our hands-on review of the Laurent Ferrier Grand Sport Tourbillon Sincere Platinum Jubilee Edition.

New and Reviewed: Laurent Ferrier Grand Sport Tourbillon Sincere Platinum Jubilee Edition

The Laurent Ferrier Grand Sport Tourbillon Sincere Platinum Jubilee Edition will retail at SGD 328,000 inclusive of GST. Limited Edition of 12 pieces.

The Laurent Ferrier Grand Sport Tourbillon Sincere Platinum Jubilee Edition is not a new model, but a new interpretation of the Grand Sport Tourbillon released in 2019. Here is our comprehensive review of the launch watch. The watch, in titanium case and bracelet with gradient pink with an opaline finish, also won the Best Tourbillon award at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) in 2023.

The case dial and hands

The case of this novelty is in 18k 5N red gold. Other than the material, the case is the same as the earlier releases of the Grand Sport Tourbillon. Telling a tale of elegance and of evergreen aesthetics. It is ever so slightly reminiscent of the Genta designed Patek Philippe Nautilus. The graceful lines bear a mild resemblance to the Genta masterpiece, albeit more rounded. More pebble like if you will. Though on a closer examination, the bezel shares closer aesthetic cues and family resemblance with the Laurent Ferrier Galet Square and the Galet Square Tourbillon.

Furthermore, this aesthetic is not mere a copy cat move. Laurent Ferrier himself had cut his teeth early in his watchmaking career at Patek Philippe, where he worked on the prototype of the original Nautilus. He was responsible for creating it from Genta’s design drawings. Thus some similarities in the basic architecture and aesthetics. Though in our view, the Grand Sport case stands on its own as a statement of elegant yet robust beauty.

What is new in this novelty edition is the dial. The dial features a wave motif which looks very 3 dimensional. This is achieved by using a petrol green lacquer over the wave guilloché. The green lacquer is applied in a fumé style gradient finish, gradually fading into black at the dial peripherals. The Laurent Ferrier Geneve branding is transfer printed in white, and the verbiage “TOURBILLON GRAND SPORT” is in a slightly lighter shade of green than its immediate surroundings. This is a very subtle, but nice touch.

The rest of the dial is very clear and legible. With a sector style subsidiary seconds counter in silver providing a contrast. The hands are “Assegai” shaped, typical of Laurent Ferrier. The hour, minute hands and the indices are in 18k white gold with ruthenium and in-filled with white superluminova.

The movement:  Caliber LF 619.01

The movement remains the excellent and very beautiful Caliber LF 619.01 used since the launch model of the Grand Sport Tourbillon. In a signature Laurent Ferrier (and Patek Philippe) style, the dial does not feature a cutout to showcase the tourbillon.

The magnificent tourbillon, in its bridge is only visible from the case back. This bridge features a polished cylindrical bar on one side of the pinion, and a flat, pierced bar on the other. The finishing of this bridge is spectacular and features no less than 4 inward angles on the opening. The high polish cylinder on the other side is also a show of virtuosity. It is secured to the movement plates via three black polished screws. The rest of the bridges are also equally magnificent. From the simple straight grains on the bridges to the magnificently executed anglage, with numerous sharp outward angles. All features of top level haute horlogerie finishing. Of special note is the click in the form of a long-blade ratchet pawl. This click is hand finished and provides a soft but melodious murmur making it a joy to wind the watch. This level of attention to detail is what sets Laurent Ferrier apart from the competition and gets us excited.

Aesthetically, the bridge layout is very beautiful, and the elegant Sincere Fine Watches 70th Anniversary logo is printed on the underside of the sapphire case back marks this as one of the special edition for the Sincere 70th Anniversary.

Competitive landscape

The landscape for tourbillon watches have not changed significantly, as we have outlined in the review of the steel launch model. And though we still feel the Nautilus is probably the closest in aesthetics, especially on the dial side, Patek has never offered it with a tourbillon.

Concluding thoughts

This is a truly magnificent watch. The play of the red gold case with the green dial and its wave texture and fumé gradation is truly a treat for the eyes. The matching green Nubuck leather strap makes the watch less formal. The fuzziness of the leather can dress the watch down a bit, it still excels as a formal watch. Equally at home with jeans and sports jacket as well as under bespoke cuffs when worn with a suit. Quite versatile and rugged. This is definitely a watch whose use case can be anywhere from a daily (beater!) wear to a special occasion timepiece.

The Laurent Ferrier Grand Sport Tourbillon Sincere Platinum Jubilee Edition definitely gets a high recommendation from us. The only factor preventing a super enthusiastic recommendation from us is the price tag. A 12 piece limited edition already signals that the watch is pitched at a rarified level. And at SGD 328k, the pricing is appropriately rather hefty. Compare this to the launch model in stainless steel case and rubber strap, also a 12 piece limited edition, and the retail was USD 185k (works out to approx SGD 270k in 2019 exchange rates plus 7%GST). With this consideration, the asking premium for a special dial, red gold case, and 5 ensuing years would seem fair. Especially if a sporty tourbillon with a magnificent guilloché lacquer dial and beautiful movement, cased in red gold, with 100m water resistance floats your boat, then there is little else in the market.

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