Grand Sport

Where the Grand Sport fits

The Grand Sport collection debuted in 2019 with the Tourbillon Grand Sport. It takes the soft, rounded design language of the Laurent Ferrier range and gives it a larger, more athletic presence. The cushion-shaped bezel sits over a barrel-shaped middle, and the case mixes contrasting polished and satin surfaces.

Early examples came on a rubber strap, and a later version appeared with an integrated steel bracelet. The brand describes discreet crown guards, visible bolts on the caseback and a domed, tinted sapphire crystal that makes the side profile look rounder. Those details are what separate the Grand Sport from the dress pieces in the range.

The sapphire exhibition caseback shows the tourbillon, and the water resistance is 100 meters. Those two features make the watch a sports tourbillon rather than a dress piece with a sporty case, and they're also what a service has to protect.

The LF619.01 tourbillon

The LF619.01 is a manually wound caliber with a tourbillon and a double balance spring, and the brand rates its reserve at 80 hours. At 80 hours, the watch needs winding every few days if it isn't worn, so keep that in mind if it sits on a shelf between outings. The 80-hour figure is the brand's rating, so a watch that runs down noticeably sooner after a full wind should be looked at.

A tourbillon moves the escapement and balance in a rotating cage, which averages out position errors. On the Grand Sport, the cage is visible through the sapphire back, so the work can be checked by eye as well as on a timing machine. Ask the watchmaker to show you the cage running after the service if they can.

This is a sports tourbillon, so the rate should be checked after the seals have been replaced, not only before. The sequence to ask for is a rate check on the bench, then a pressure test on the sealed case, and then a final timing once the watch is closed.

Servicing a sports tourbillon

Laurent Ferrier's manual says workshop-only work keeps the guarantee, and the Plan-les-Ouates workshop handles service and warranty repair. The after-sales team should be your first contact before you ship the watch.

The 100-meter rating depends on gaskets and a sound case. A full service should include new gaskets, a pressure test and a written list of parts replaced, along with the crown and caseback seals. Ask whether the bracelet or strap is serviced too, since links and the clasp wear on a sports case. The manual's service interval is a general guide, and a watch worn hard in salt water may need a check sooner.

If the watch is out of guarantee, ask an independent to leave the tourbillon alone unless they can show they've handled one from this brand. A tourbillon cage is a poor place to learn on a customer's watch, so ask about experience before anything else. Ask whether the seals are checked as part of routine service, not only when a leak has already appeared.

Buying a pre-owned Grand Sport

Check the papers first, including the certificate of authenticity and guarantee, and make sure the reference matches the strap or bracelet version. Ask whether the watch was sold through an official retailer, since that affects the guarantee and the cover the next owner inherits.

Inspect the case under good light. Polished and satin surfaces show wear differently, and the bolts on the caseback should be clean and tight. Check the domed crystal for scratches, and if the tint looks off, ask whether the crystal is original.

Ask for a timing test and a look at the tourbillon running, plus a pressure test if the seller can provide one. Ask when the watch was last serviced and where. A watch that has been to an outside shop needs a written explanation of what was opened and replaced.

Keeping the seals and the tourbillon sound

A sports tourbillon has to protect two things at once: the mechanism inside and the seals that keep water out. Rinse the watch in fresh water after time in the sea or a pool, dry it thoroughly and avoid pulling the crown when it's wet. Keep the sapphire back clean, and check that the crown and pushers are firmly closed before you enter the water.

Have the seals checked at each service rather than waiting for a leak. A pressure test on the sealed case is the simplest check, and a written record of the result is the best way to show a future buyer that the watch has been looked after. Ask for the test result on the work order. A bracelet version has more joints, so check the clasp and the links with extra care if the watch has one.

Strap and bracelet wear needs a regular look too. Check the rubber or leather for cracks and the bracelet for loose links, and replace any worn component before it damages the case. A worn strap pin or clasp can scratch the case flank, and that's an easy mark to avoid.

What to check on a Grand Sport

• Experience with manual tourbillons and sealed sports cases
• Pressure testing after every seal change
• Strap or bracelet checks, with the papers matched to the reference
• Respect for the workshop-only rule that protects the guarantee

Common questions