Laurent Ferrier celebrates its 15th anniversary by introducing the Classic Tourbillon Teal Série Atelier VII. It is the latest version of the Classic Tourbillon – the first watch unveiled by Laurent Ferrier – a master watchmaker and Le Mans race car driver – when he founded his namesake brand in Geneva in 2010.
The Classic Tourbillon Teal Série Atelier VII possesses “signature features” of the original Classic Tourbillon, such as a grand feu enamel dial with Roman numerals and a railway minute track housed in the brand’s Classic case “inspired by 19th century pocket watches.” It is a Geneva Watch Days 2025 launch and a limited edition of 5 pieces.
Key Features
Functions and Operation
Image: The Classic Tourbillon Teal Série Atelier VII pays tribute to the Classic Tourbillon – the brand’s first watch unveiled in 2010 and the one which put them on the horological map. Patek Philippe – where Laurent Ferrier worked for about 30 years – has never showcased the tourbillon cage on the dial side. Laurent Ferrier adheres to this design code (except for one short lived model) in his namesake brand – which is for the tourbillon to serve its original purpose of accurate timekeeping.
Central hours and minutes. Small seconds at 6 o’clock.
Winding and time setting via the crown at 3 o’clock.
Dial
Image: An abundance of dial details. Hour and minute hands are Assegai shaped. The small seconds subial flange is made from white gold – “bevelled, rhodium and mirror-polished.” The small second hand is baton shaped (not pictured in this image). The discreet mention of “Tourbillon Double Spiral” hints that this is anything but a simple three hand watch.
Teal green grand few enamel dial on an18K white gold base. Hands are made from 18K white gold 210 Pd. Roman numerals crafted from fine white enamel. Railway minute track crafted from sky blue enamel.
“Fitted with a brand-new dial, it nevertheless retains the signature features of the original Classic Tourbillon, such as grand feu enamel, Roman numerals and the railway minute track. This new dial, set on a base plate of white gold, showcases a teal grand feu enamel that harmoniously blends green and blue hues. To amplify the blue tones, the fine decals of the minute track and logo are transferred in sky blue enamel. The applied small seconds is framed by a bevelled white gold flange, hand-polished to perfection. Its markers are also executed in matching sky blue enamel. For enhanced legibility, a value dear to Laurent Ferrier, the Roman numerals around the hour circle are finely outlined in bright white enamel. The gold hands are Assegai-shaped for the hours and minutes, and baton-shaped for the seconds. It is a faithful reinterpretation of the original aesthetic, infused with a new vibrancy.”
Movement
Image: The tourbillon features opposing double balance springs. Traditional Swiss lever escapement. Variable inertia balance or free-sprung balance spring with screws. “Peripheral tourbillon case driving system.”
Powered by LF619.01, a manually wound movement with a double-balance spring tourbillon that drives the hours, minutes, and small seconds.
Diameter: 14’’’ lignes or 31.60 mm. Thickness: 5.57 mm. Parts: 188. Jewels: 23. Frequency: 21,600 vph or 3 Hz. Power reserve: 80 hours.
Image: All the hallmarks of Genevan haute horology. Movement finishing includes horizontal satin finish and ruthenium finish on the bridges – a more modern finish for this classically inspired movement.
“The double balance spring tourbillon cage evokes high-performance engineering. This complex mechanism pays tribute to centuries-old watchmaking craftsmanship. When Abraham-Louis Breguet patented the tourbillon in 1801, his invention countered the unfavourable effects of gravity on a pocket watch’s regulating organ when held vertically. By equipping the balance with two oppositely mounted springs, lateral displacement of the balance staff is also neutralised. The integration of these two systems combines their respective benefits, delivering exceptional accuracy along with a power reserve of over 80 hours. Chronometry enthusiasts will appreciate the precision and outstanding performance of this timepiece, whose beauty rivals its timekeeping precision.
Case
Image: The pebble shape of the case and ball shaped crown are signature features of the brand. The case, bezel, and caseback are fitted together. The crown is made from 950 platinum.
Case is made from 950 platinum. Diameter: 41 mm. Thickness: 12.50 mm. Lug-to-lug distance: 50 mm. Dial side features a domed sapphire crystal. Caseback features a sapphire crystal. Water resistant up to 30 metres.
Watch comes with a forest green alligator leather strap; hand stitched with tone-on-tone Alcantara lining. It is fitted to either a 950 platinum pin buckle or a double blade folding clasp.
Our Thoughts
Image: A timeless classic and an heirloom piece, one that conceals an exceptional tourbillon movement underneath its gorgeous dial. It will remain relevant decades from now, long past current fads and trends have come and gone.
The Classic Tourbillon was a horological sensation when it was unveiled in 2010. It won the Men’s Watch Prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in 2010 – a bit like a debut actor winning the Best Actor Oscar at the Academy Awards. Except the debut watchmaker here – Laurent Ferrier – spent a lifetime at Patek Philippe with a front row seat in key technical roles, before he left to establish his namesake brand.
With the emergence of several independent watchmakers and brands in recent years, the greatness and horological significance of Laurent Ferrier—both the man and the brand—has been somewhat overshadowed. It is mostly an IFYYK (if you know you know) kind of brand. Yet their horological abilities – both mechanical and aesthetic – showcase a lot to the rest of the industry.
I hope the Classic Tourbillon Teal Série Atelier VII marks a new renaissance for the brand, and a promise to see newer classically inspired models from them.
Please click here to read our coverage on the Classic Traveller Globe Night Blue, the brand’s dual time watch. In 2024, their Classic Moon – an annual calendar with their first moon phase complication – won the Calendar and Astronomy Watch Prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in 2024.
Additional Details
Name: Classic Tourbillon Teal Série Atelier VII
Reference: LCF001.P1.EVC1
Price: Swiss franc (CHF) 195,000 (excluding taxes)
Limited edition of 5 individually numbered pieces. Available exclusively online on the brand’s website.
Please visit the brand’s website and Instagram page for more information. Please contact them for an appointment if you wish to meet them during Geneva Watch Days 2025 being held during 4th – 7th September.
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