As you’re no doubt aware, at WWR our primary focus is on the more affordable end of the spectrum. Even so, we do like to take a look at what’s in the “money is no object” end now and again. Not that long ago we brought your attention to a newer watch from Laurent Ferrier. While that went for some sports watch sleeper action, today’s focus – the Laurent Ferrier Classic Origin Opaline – is very much a classically-inspired dress watch.
While that prior Laurent Ferrier watch focused on housing (and hiding) a tourbillon, the Laurent Ferrier Classic Origin Opaline goes a much simpler route. The LF 116.01 movement inside is a hand-wound one, with some rather clean finishing and assembly, offering up an 80-hour power reserve. I do rather like the fact that the movement is visible through the caseback, giving you a good eyeful of that finishing. While I do like see kinetic elements, I am fond of movements like this one that use their plates to actually hide away large parts of the gear train.
Around front, the Laurent Ferrier Classic Origin Opaline has a rather clean white-silver (aka, the opaline) dial over which highly polished indices and white gold hands keep track of the time. While most of the dial is monochromatic, you do have that hint of color via the deep red used to mark the 24-hour scale in the chapter ring.
While the Laurent Ferrier Classic Origin Opaline does look fairly “simple” and straight-forward, there is one more secret hiding in plain sight. Rather than going with steel for the case, they’ve instead used a grade 5 titanium, a first for the brand. Here, it carries a nice luster while offering the lightweight strength (and hypoallergenic properties) the metal is known for.
I can’t speak for anyone else, but I do find myself fond of the $31,000 (CHF 28,500) Laurent Ferrier Classic Origin Opaline. Sure, if I were choosing between it and the Laurent Ferrier Grand Sport Tourbillon the tourbillon would win. But in and of itself, on it’s own? The Laurent Ferrier Classic Origin Opaline is a lovely, lightweight classic. A perfect mark to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the brand. laurentferrier.ch
Details from Laurent Ferrier
- Movement
- Manual winding calibre LF116.01
- Swiss lever escapement
- Balance screw
- Indications: hours, minutes, small seconds at 6 o?clock
- Movement diameter 31.60 (14???).
- Thickness: 4.35 mm
- Frequency: 3Hz (21?600/H)
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
- Number of components: 150
- Number of jewels: 21
AESTHETIC CHARACTERISTICS
- Case
- Grade 5 titanium
- Water resistant to 30 m
- ??Ball-shaped?? crown in titanium
- Case diameter: 40 mm
- Case thickness: 10.70 mm
- Dial
- White-silver opaline dial with a slate grey hour circle and burgundy numerals
- Indexes: 18K white gold
- Small seconds display at 6 o?clock
- Hands
- Hours and minutes: ?Assegai-Shaped? in 18K white gold
- Seconds: baton-shape in white gold
- Strap
- Light brown Barbialla calf leather with Alcantara lining
- Pin buckle in grade 5 titanium
