Laurent Ferrier’s Auto Sport 79 in Rose Gold
By Nina Scally
The Golden Racer: Laurent Ferrier’s new rose gold Auto Sport 79 combines vintage vibes with modern power.
Imagine the air thick with the intoxicating, acrid scent of fuel and burning rubber on the race track. A haze broken only by the searing yellow of headlights cutting through an inky black night in 1979. For 24 hours, the high-octane atmosphere at Le Mans has demanded absolute fidelity. And at the wheel of the legendary Porsche 935 Turbo #40 is watchmaker Laurent Ferrier with his friend, Francois Servanin (now the president of Laurent Ferrier). The two have decided to take to the track, driving with pure, unyielding mechanical passion. Their brutal pursuit of endurance culminates in a heart-stopping scramble for the podium. A photo finish sees the two passionate watch enthusiasts secure third place overall.
That moment – that blend of oil, exhilaration and victory didn’t just etch two names into history, but it planted the seed for a watch brand that wouldn’t materialise for many years yet. Fast forward 46 years, and today, watch brand Laurent Ferrier seems to have captured that victorious moment perfectly in the Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto 79 – a tribute watch to this formative movement in the brand’s history and a celebration of the company’s 15th anniversary.
The resulting maison stands today as a beacon of haute horlogerie, and its latest creation, carved from 5N rose gold, is a direct and decadent tribute to the year of that defining race. It stands as proof that the connection between watchmaking and motor racing remains strong (consider IWC’s connection with Formula 1 and TAG Heuer’s collaborations with McLaren, Ferrari, and Oracle Red Bull Racing).
The pursuit of marginal gains and the necessity of enduring performance are deeply rooted in the science of mechanics. Mechanics that play a role, whether in the form of a motorsport vehicle or a timekeeping instrument. Both worlds demand precision, robust engineering and a relentless respect for time. Tenths of seconds mean everything, both in motorsport and horology.
And just as the Porsche 935 was stripped down to its essential, fastest elements, Laurent Ferrier prides itself on distilling its timepieces to their purest and most elegant mechanical form. The connections are clear. But does a critical lens reveal tension between the watch’s marketing narrative and its actual function as a 21st-century daily wearable? Or is there still a place for racing watches in today’s world? Clearly, there is a lot to unpack here, so let’s jump into some important features and details of the new Auto Sport 79 Rose Gold…
Laurent Ferrier served a 30-year stint at Patek Philippe prior to opening the doors of his own company. Being a technical director of PP and a semi-professional race car driver certainly put him in good stead for uniting the two worlds with his avant-garde designs.
The jump in materials is undeniably significant, and it definitely alters the nature of the watch. The Auto Sport 79 has shed its titanium cloak for a mantle of molten rose gold, transforming the sports watch from a rugged instrument to an opulent statement. But rose gold looks good on the Auto Sport, and embracing this new incandescent warmth suggests a decadent rebirth for the sports watch.
Before we get into the particulars, let’s clear up one common misconception. This new rose gold model is a descendant of the Auto Sport 40 bloodline. The “40” in the watch’s name is not a reference to the watch’s case diameter, but refers to the Porsche 935 Turbo donning number 40, from which it takes its inspiration. The 79 refers to the year of Ferrier’s triumphant third-place win.
The Auto Sport 79 has a 41.5mm diameter and 12.7mm thickness, which is somewhat smaller than the company’s Tourbillon Grand Sport models. Its warm hue may be a nod to the bronze trophy received on the podium of Ferrier’s 1979 win. Sapphire crystal is fitted to both the front and back of the watch, the latter of which grants a neat view into an in-house mechanical movement.
Its 120-meter water resistance is impressive, too, especially for a rose gold model. The case also retains its screw-down crown and distinct tonneau-shaped case. Unlike the brand’s Sport Auto 40 model design, which shares the same diameter, this model isn’t offset by lightweight titanium. The weight difference is significant and may take a little getting used to.
The Auto Sport 79 in gold features a simple time and date format (date at 3 o’clock) and presents 5N rose gold hands and applied droplet hour markers on a cream-coloured opaline dial finish that teases with pale pink hues in certain lighting conditions. This dynamic element is mainly down to a silver-rose galvanic treatment that accompanies the opaline finish. Pointing to its sporty heritage, the hour markers and hands have been treated with Super-LumiNova to ensure they remain legible in dark conditions.
The delicate crosshair decoration is executed in a powdery grey – a much softer choice than the more typical black colour. Lastly, the small second sub-counter has received a concentric circular finish, and a very Ferrier-typical sloping detail accompanies the date aperture.
Powering the Auto Sport 79 in gold is the Calibre LF270.01- a micro-rotor movement that can also be found in other LF time and date models. It operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and provides a power reserve of 72 hours when fully wound. This 215-part movement features a 950 platinum micro-rotor, which provides a more open view of the mechanism. It sits under a hand-finished bridge, serving as a visual focal point of the watch’s reverse side.
Embracing the warm rose gold colour palette further, the model’s integrated bracelet matches the luxurious tones of the case and is secured with a hidden butterfly clasp engraved with the Laurent Ferrier name.
In most cases, a combination of bold and muscular proportions often leads to some of the most beautiful sports watch designs, and that can certainly be said for the new rose gold Laurent Ferrier Auto Sport 79. Though it may not appear as aerodynamic as some sports watches, it is all the more attractive for it.
The Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto 79 effectively captures the essence of the Porsche 935 in a subtle yet powerful way. Its sporty physique captures the high-octane energy of the racetrack with the refined, centuries-old artistry of Swiss timekeeping. As a result, the sports watch is simultaneously muscular and incredibly classic. Some may find the gold case plays tricks on the mind. The watch appears and feels larger than the Sport Auto 40 due to its weight difference, but this is the draw and allure that LF intended to create with this watch.
To conclude, the Auto Sport 79’s sports watch design is as relevant as ever. It’s a collector’s choice for those seeking both a statement piece and a design that tastefully reaches into history. It grasps what is needed in a sports watch today: an easily readable dial, soft, ergonomically formed curves, and a highly technical movement. Even so, its inherent flash of gold and its weight give those collectors with a nuanced appreciation for discreet luxury that all-important, tangible feel of quality.
Quick Facts — What to Know About Sport Auto 79
Model & Reference: Sport Auto 79, reference LCF040.R5.GR1C1.
Case & Bracelet: Fully crafted in 5N red gold (rose gold) — both the 41.5 mm case and integrated 3-link bracelet are in rose gold.
Case Dimensions: Diameter 41.5 mm, thickness 12.7 mm.
Dial: Cream-coloured dial with a galvanic opaline finish, yielding a soft rose-silver hue. Dial details include snailed small seconds at 6 o’clock, a bevelled date window at 3 o’clock, and applied rose-gold indices/hands filled with white Super-LumiNova.
Movement: In-house automatic calibre LF270.01, with a platinum micro-rotor, running at 4 Hz (28,800 vph), and offering a 72-hour power reserve.
Water-Resistance & Build: Screw-down crown, domed sapphire crystals (front and caseback), water-resistant to 120 m.
Inspiration / Meaning: The “79” refers to 1979 — the year the founders (including the person Laurent Ferrier) finished 3rd place at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in a moment that planted the seeds for the eventual watch brand. The rose-gold Sport Auto 79 pays tribute to that defining motorsport-meets-watchmaking moment, and marks the brand’s 15th anniversary.
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