Editor’s note: Like you, we are also excited for the Watches & Wonders 2022 novelties. Before we get to dive deep into them, here’s our preview & Gut Reaction Review (Grr…) of the new Laurent Ferrier Classic Origin Blue. For our detailed hands-on reviews, please head to our dedicated reviews section here. This is NOT a sponsored post.
The New Laurent Ferrier Classic Origin Blue In A Nutshell
Want the best of the many worlds of Laurent Ferrier? Following the smashing success of the now sold out Laurent Ferrier Classic Origin Green ref. LCF036.TI.VG with a gradient green dial and the recent LF Sport Auto Blue ref. LCF040.T1.C1GC5, the Swiss brand now presents a new timepiece, the blue coloured variation of the Laurent Ferrier Classic Origin Opaline from 2020.
The New Laurent Ferrier Classic Origin Blue takes the best of the above three references, and presents watch connoisseurs with perhaps a watch that can achieve the impossible of being classified as the elusive and ultimate ‘one watch collection’.
My first reaction to the new Laurent Ferrier Classic Origin Blue ref. LCF036.TI.CG was to mutter to myself – ‘here we go’. It’s sublimely stunning. Understated yet powerful.
Laurent Ferrier Classic Origin Blue Is A Versatile Champion
The new Laurent Ferrier Classic Origin Blue features a 30m water-resistant— the only aspect I would improve this otherwise perfect machine — 40mm diameter and 11.1mm thick Grade 5 titanium case with a lug-to-lug spacing of only ~47.2mm and the welcome interhorn spacing of 20mm (which sports a midnight-blue Nubuck leather strap with tone-on-tone Alcantara lining).
The impressive part is that not only will the LF Classic Origin Blue slip comfortably under the cuffs, or that its 20mm lug interhorn spacing means that one can find replacement straps with ease, but it’s dimension ratio means it will sit across various wrist sizes with panache.
Take for instance the extremely successful and popular Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight. This again blue dialled sports beauty measures a similar 39mm diameter and approximately the same 47.2mm lug-to-lug (and bears the same 20mm lug interhorn spacing). It is thicker at 12.5mm. The Tudor BB58 for lots of us with slim wrists — mine measures at ~16cm — is a blessing regarding its fit. And the Laurent Ferrier Classic Origin Blue not only is slimmer, but also features a slightly larger diameter, ensuring that the beautiful blue dial gets even more prime viewing real-estate for your pleasure.
Retailing for 31’000 CHF (or ~45’000 AUD excluding taxes), the non-limited edition new Laurent Ferrier Classic Origin Blue is announced today on 30 March 2022 as part of the Watches & Wonders 2022 March 30 to April 5 (both online and at the Salon).
It’s for those who know they want something special, but also don’t wish to show-off. It’s beauty lies in the myriad of small details. Anyone looking for a perfect watch, and especially anyone looking at perhaps purchasing just one watch and being content with, they can surely find solace in the new LF Classic Origin Blue.
The most striking feature about the new Laurent Ferrier Classic Origin Blue is that golden combination of various wrist sizes friendly dimensions, a powerhouse movement, drop dead gorgeous looks, and that everyday wearable versatile blue. And not just a plain ol’ blue dial, but the in-trend gradient blue dial.
Basic Specifications
Inside the new LF Classic Origin Blue reference LCF036.TI.CG ticks the calibre LF116.01 which is a manual-winding mechanical movement measuring 31.6mm x 4.35mm. I appreciate the decision to go for a manual-winding movement instead of an automatic one, given everything about this is classic and classy, and the fact that one has to spend a little time winding the crown gets a personal, old-school bond going.
The movement comprises 150 components, 21 jewels, and beats at the frequency of 3Hz (21’600 A/h). It features a Swiss anchor escapement, brand’s emblematic long-blade ratchet system, a free-sprung balance and Breguet-type overcoil balance-spring, is impressively adjusted in six positions, and one can marvel at it’s micro-bead finish with black rhodium treatment through the display case-back. It also provides with an impressive 80-hour per reserve.
Quotable
“Twelve years after its launch, LAURENT FERRIER is maintaining its momentum with an intense blue version of one of its latest emblematic models, the Classic Origin.”
Press Release
Parting Thoughts On The New Laurent Ferrier Classic Origin
As an architect, I love the various neo-classic elements that the Laurent Ferrier Classic Origin Blue bears.
Symmetrically balanced, I also adore how the sharp hour markers or the 18k white gold drop-shaped indices at 3 and 9 sit completely flushed and aligned with the cross-hair lines and the double 12’o clock markers sit equidistant to that cross-hair. It’s just breathtaking. On this canvas, one gets to be amazed by the time told courtesy the 18k white gold ‘Assegai’-shaped hands.
Another detail I admire is that contrast between a gradient main dial and the sunken azurage counter at 6. Details like these make watches from independents like LF such marvels, and I can only imagine what more details would be discovered if we were to go hands-on with the new Laurent Ferrier Classic Origin Blue.
Personally, the combination of a versatile everyday use friendly blue colour with these dimensions and a polished scratch-resistant lightweight titanium case is what makes the Laurent Ferrier Classic Origin so desirable. And the added cross-hair sector-dialesque aesthetics combined with the slightly oversized 19th-century pocket watches inspired ball-shaped crown in Grade 5 titanium lend it that slightly casual vibe that it can even work as a weekend watch.
Horological Perfection.
To find out more about the new LF Classic Origin Blue and their other watches, please head to their website here. All images unless otherwise stated are courtesy are © LAURENT FERRIER. Make sure to check out our reviews of other Watches & Wonders 2022 novelties here.
