The Gold Standard of Racing: Lorige Unveils the Evolution Bleu Asphalte

Lorige elevates its high-performance BL-Endurance concept with a touch of opulence. By integrating 5N rose gold into its asphalt-inspired design, this 10-piece limited edition offers a sophisticated take on endurance-racing horology.

Numerous businesses associate themselves with motorsport; nonetheless, Lorige is among the select few that has fully committed to this concept. A further exemplary instance is the most recent BL-Endurance Evolution Bleu Asphalte Gold Edition. Established in 2018 by automotive aficionados Clément Etienvre and Emeric Paraud, the nascent French-Swiss microbrand transcends mere imitation of racing design elements or color schemes. The timepieces are constructed from recycled carbon/carbon brake pads sourced from endurance race vehicles. Throughout the years, Lorige has collaborated with teams such as United Autosports, Peugeot Sport, and the Heart of Racing Team.

The concept of recycled carbon/carbon brake pads may initially appear as a mere novelty; nevertheless, in recent years, particularly with the BL-Endurance line, Lorige has gradually transformed this notion into a genuinely compelling innovation. This leads us to the most recent Lorige BL-Endurance Evolution Bleu Asphalte Gold Edition, unveiled at Time to Watches 2026 in Geneva. This aligns well with the name's implication: the characteristic dark and motorsport-inspired Lorige aesthetic, now combined with 5N rose gold. This model, part of the Lorige BL-Endurance series, enhances the sporty Bleu Asphalte version launched last year.

The tonneau-shaped case of the BL-Endurance Evolution Bleu Asphalte Gold Edition has dimensions of 50mm by 42mm and is constructed from Lorige’s proprietary carbon/carbon composite. The material originates from the brake pads of the Heart of Racing Valkyrie No. 23, which achieved a podium finish at the 2025 Petit Le Mans. As is customary with Lorige, the material itself continues to be the primary allure. The texture of the recycled brake material imparts the watch an appearance reminiscent of forged carbon, ceramic, and burned metal, resulting in each case being subtly distinct from the others. It is additionally water-resistant to a depth of 50 meters.

Lorige watches typically exhibit a more industrial motorsport aesthetic. The BL-Endurance Evolution Bleu Asphalte Gold Edition also possesses this quality; however, the rose gold bezel, caseback, strap lugs, and sub-dial surrounds provide a greater sense of refinement. Inspired by the Valkyrie race car’s livery, the blue lacquer accents add some colour to an otherwise very dark-looking watch. The dial continues to exhibit the intricate design of the BL-Endurance models, including blue Arabic numerals that contrast effectively with the blackened backgrounds. White Super-LumiNova is employed for the hands and indices, while the asymmetrical arrangement reveals a glimpse of the movement beneath.

The manually wound calibre LOR-DB02, developed in collaboration with movement specialist Chronode, powers timepieces for companies such as Fleming and Breva, each exhibiting distinct finishing and style. Lorige imparts a Duo-Tone finish to this movement, characterized by black PVD-treated bridges, rhodium-plated Geneva stripes, and meticulously hand-finished bevels. The mechanism operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour and provides a remarkable 168-hour power reserve. The Lorige BL-Endurance Evolution Bleu Asphalte Gold Edition features a black rubber strap secured by a titanium folding clasp. It will be limited to 10 pieces, and its price is available on request. For more information, please visit lorige.com.