Laurent Ferrier has forged a particularly meaningful relationship with American collectors since the manufacture's inception in 2010. It was American enthusiasts who first championed the independent watchmaker's debut creation at the GPHG that year, providing the early validation that encouraged Laurent Ferrier to build not merely a collection, but a lasting brand. Now, as the United States approaches its semiquincentennial, the Geneva-based atelier has created the Classic Origin 250, a limited-edition piece that honors both this milestone anniversary for the U.S. and the collectors who helped launch the maison's journey. The Classic Origin 250 is limited to twenty-five pieces exclusively for the U.S. market.
Things to Know About the Watch
The Classic Origin 250 builds upon one of Laurent Ferrier's most recognizable case shapes, featuring the 40 mm titanium case whose pebble-polished contours and generous ball-shaped crown have become signatures of the manufacture's design language. Where this commemorative edition distinguishes itself is through its dial, which employs a subtle yet layered approach to storytelling that rewards closer examination.
The slightly patinated opaline beige dial establishes an understated foundation, its warm tonality enhanced by brown transfers on the logo, railway minute track, central cross, and hour markers. Most notably, red calligraphic initials representing the thirteen original colonies replace the traditional minute numerals around the dial's perimeter. These scarlet markings provide the only bold color accent, joined by an equally vivid rendering of "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness" alongside the commemorative dates "1776-2026."
Perhaps the dial's most compelling feature reveals itself gradually: the complete text of the Declaration of Independence appears in beige-on-beige screen printing, emerging and receding as light plays across the surface. The seconds subdial at 6 o’clock features immaculate snailing, adding depth to the dial.
This ephemeral quality creates a contemplative interaction with the timepiece, the founding document's words materializing and fading in a manner that suggests their enduring yet sometimes elusive ideals. The composition is completed by 18K white gold Assegai hands that maintain Laurent Ferrier's commitment to refined elegance.
The Movement
Visible through the case back is the manual-wound calibre LF116.01 with immaculate finishing. The famous long-blade ratchet—inspired by pocket watches of the previous century and meticulously hand-finished—delivers the tactile winding experience that Laurent Ferrier collectors have come to appreciate. An eighty-hour power reserve provides extended autonomy between winding sessions.
The movement receives comprehensive hand finishing, with sand-blasted, black rhodium-coated bridges contrasting with hand-polished edges and screws. Even internal angles showcase the painstaking work of the manufacture’s watchmakers.
On the Wrist & Price
The Classic Origin 250 wears with the understated refinement that defines Laurent Ferrier. At 40 mm, the titanium case achieves that rare balance of presence without ostentation, its pebble-polished contours sitting comfortably while the 10.70 mm thickness maintains a svelte profile beneath a cuff.
The dial's warm beige tonality proves surprisingly versatile, reading as cream in certain light before shifting to richer ivory under direct illumination. This chameleonic quality extends to the beige-on-beige Declaration text, which materializes and recedes with wrist movement—a contemplative detail that rewards the wearer rather than demanding attention. The brown calfskin strap with ivory stitching complements the dial beautifully, reinforcing the piece's cohesive warmth.
Sticker Price USD 44,000. For more info on Laurent Ferrier, click here.
