The guiding star of the Swiss watch brand Louis Erard, located in Le Noirmont, is offering high-quality mechanical watches at a fair price. One of the brand's standout models since its relaunch in 2003 is the Le Régulateur. A defining feature of the regulator, inspired by the precise timepieces of the 18th century, is the separation of minutes, hours, and seconds. Breathing new life into this historical complication, Louis Erard invited watchmakers Alain Silberstein and Vianney Halter to present their vision of this complication. Instead of turning to legends of watch craftsmanship this time, Louis Erard invited the leading Swiss architecture and design studio Atelier oï to create a new dial for the regulator. The result is the Le Régulateur Louis Erard x atelier oï – a very original and sophisticated interpretation of the regulator with a radiant, kinetic modern soul.
ATELIER OÏ
Founded in 1991 by Aurel Aebi, Armand Louis, and Patrick Reymond, the name atelier oï is derived from the Russian word “troika” (a team of three people). The headquarters of atelier oï is located in the former motel La Neuveville, near Neuchâtel. The prospect of creating a new dial for the Le Régulateur Louis Erard watch was warmly welcomed by Manuel Emch – the man behind the revival of Jaquet Droz and an independent consultant for the watch industry.
The main design principle adopted by the team was to create a dial that “radiated light from the center outward.” Another requirement was to minimize the technical vocabulary and create the form of a sundial.
KINETIC BEAUTY
While Louis Erard, together with designer Eric Giroud, created a beautiful minimalist version of the Excellence Regulator model, the latest collaboration has resulted in perhaps the most abstract interpretation of the watch to date. The dial has no markings and consists of a series of engraved lines. As in historical regulator watches, the minutes take center stage, indicated by the longest of the three blued baton hands situated at the center of the dial. The lines are engraved on a matte “Black Or” slate-gray base, creating radiant light reflections and contrasting shadows. This effect is reminiscent of kinetic artworks that seem to be in constant motion depending on the lighting and viewing angle.
The hour and second hands of the Le Régulateur Louis Erard x atelier oï, located at 12 and 6 o'clock respectively, are also positioned on the central axis and are the starting point for the engraved lines radiating from their center. Polished segments engraved on the matte background emit sunbeams, giving the two-dimensional surface depth and volume. But, as with any good design, there is a method to the creativity, and on the peripheral minute track, there are sixty segments with a more pronounced line every five minutes.
CASE AND MOVEMENT
Like other models in the Le Régulateur series, the watch case measures 42 mm in diameter and 12.25 mm in thickness, made of stainless steel and polished throughout. The case back is engraved with the inscription “atelier oï x Louis Erard Limited Edition x of 178”. The movement, like other direct three-hand regulators in the Excellence collection, is the automatic Sellita SW266-1 with a frequency of 28,800 vph and a 38-hour power reserve. Naturally, the movement is personalized with a special openwork rotor, visible through the sapphire crystal window.
The strap is made of gray nubuck calfskin, matching the dial, with tone-on-tone stitching and a polished stainless steel clasp. Functional spring bars allow for quick strap changes. The Le Régulateur Louis Erard x atelier oï is limited to 178 pieces and is priced at 3,500 Swiss francs.
For more information, please visit the Louis Erard website.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – LOUIS ERARD LE RÉGULATEUR X ATELIER OÏ
Case: 42 mm diameter x 12.25 mm height – stainless steel, polished – domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides – sapphire crystal case back
Dial: designed by atelier oï – “Black Or” slate-gray with matte and polished finishes – 60 engraved lines marking the minutes – blued baton hands
Movement: Sellita SW266-1 (élaboré grade) – automatic – 31 jewels – 28,800 vph (4 Hz) – 38-hour power reserve – vertical regulator with hours at “noon”, central minutes, and seconds at “6 o'clock” – personalized openwork rotor
Strap: gray nubuck calfskin with tone-on-tone stitching – stainless steel clasp
Availability: limited edition of 178 pieces
Reference: 85237AA53
Price: 3500 SWISS FRANCS~3800 USD