Laurent Ferrier combines the best of both worlds with the new Classic Auto Horizon
Pietro Pilla2025 marks Laurent Ferrier’s 15th anniversary, and after debuting a stunning dual-time model, the second release to celebrate 2025 comes on the occasion of Watches and Wonders, and is no less wonderful than the first one. If you’re not sure what these two worlds coming together are about, the words “Classic” and “Auto” should offer some guidance. Following the success of last year’s Série Atelier in Sandstone, Laurent Ferrier is now making it part of the brand’s regular collection with the new Classic Auto Horizon. This new edition features the 40mm case that has become a distinctive signature for the Genevan brand. Inspired by 19th-century pocket watches, the case is 40mm in diameter and pebble-shaped, this time crafted in stainless steel and paired with the latest self-winding movement with a micro-rotor from the Sport Auto.
The subtle elegance of the Classic collection is the front for the mechanical capabilities of the Auto collection, resulting in an understated timepiece that packs a serious punch. It’s the logical solution to the dual heritage of the brand: the fast-paced motor racing world, and the finesse of high horology.
However, it’s understated and subtle until it gets hit by some natural light; at that point, the dial becomes alive. Labelled horizon blue, the dial tone of this watch is a light, greyish blue that becomes more vivid as the light grows stronger. To reach the effect, iridescent in some lights and almost monochromatic in others, the dial gets finely brushed in the vertical direction, then galvanically coated with silver. Only then is the blue pigment added in the form of a translucent lacquer.
I had the pleasure to see the Classic Auto Horizon up close and wear it for a while, and every time I looked at it, I noticed some design quirk that I hadn’t before. It’s a classic watch reviewer cliché, but it’s true. From the extremely fine snailing on the small seconds sub-dial, to the use of blue ink instead of black for printing. The name, markers, and hairline cross all share the same ink that in some lights almost disappears, leaving space to the lively texture underneath.
The stamped aperture for the date window is present as well, with the gentle slopes that make the eye roam towards the date, thinly framed by a line in the same ink as the rest of the printing. Special attention is also given to the date wheel, where instead of black ink, a slate grey one is preferred as the contrast with the white background would have made it clash with the rest of the dial. Immediately recognisable hour markers complete the front of the watch. Polished and thin, they are made from white gold and share that material with the Assegai-shaped hour and minute hands and the baton of the small seconds.
Flipping the watch around, let’s focus on the sights visible through the sapphire caseback. The LF270.01 calibre has been entirely designed, decorated, assembled and adjusted in-house. The off-centred micro-rotor is the star on this stage, in 950 platinum and fully engraved with bird feathers to match the beak shape of its bridge and chevrons to indicate the winding direction. This powers the Swiss lever escapement instead of the natural escapement you may have expected, underlining the provenance from the Sport collection where resistance to impact and vibration is essential.
Other than the oscillating weight, the rest of the movement has been meticulously decorated. Over 139 operations are required to reach this level, several of them just on the bridge holding the rotor. Then, anglage, mirror polishing, zinc-polished surfaces and satin-brushed and circular-grained finishes can be observed all around the movement, witnesses of rare attention to detail.
While not complex, everything has been thoroughly thought out, resulting in a minimalist watch that’s not boring. It’s elegant and simple, but with details that make the package appealing not just to seasoned collectors, but also to the untrained eye.
Laurent Ferrier Classic Auto Horizon price and availability
Laurent Ferrier Classic Auto Horizon is now part of the regular catalogue and will be limited only by the speed of production. Price: CHF 45,000 (~US$51,000)
| Brand | Laurent Ferrier |
| Model | Classic Auto Horizon |
| Case Dimensions | 40mm (D) x 11.94mm (T) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 30 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Brushed and galvanic lacquered horizon blue |
| Strap | Hand-stitched taupe goat leather, pin buckle |
| Movement | LF270.01, in house, micro-rotor |
| Power Reserve | 72 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, small seconds, date |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | CHF 45,000 (~US$51,000) |