Louis Erard has established close working relationships with contemporary artists, watchmakers, artisans, and designers to position itself as one of the most interesting and original brands on the watch scene.
To bring the charms of high watchmaking to a wide audience, Louis Erard adheres to a policy of affordable prices. What other brand can offer a range of watches created in collaboration with renowned names like Alain Silberstein, Konstantin Chaykin, or Vianney Halter, or, for that matter, create artistic dials with marquetry or guilloché at reasonable prices? Today, the brand presents its latest collaboration, created in conjunction with another independent watchmaker - Louis Erard Régulateur x Cédric Johner.
At just 15 years old, Cédric Johner became an apprentice jeweler at the Geneva workshop of Chopard, and then studied watchmaking before starting an independent career. Choosing to manufacture as many components as possible in his atelier, he creates unique pieces using traditional tools and often combines them with restored antique movements. Catering to his collectors, Johner can create any watch - from three-hand models to perpetual calendars with tourbillons, and over the years he has developed signature decorative and finishing elements. Without CNC machines or plans, Johner practices "intuitive watchmaking."
When Manuel Emch, the artistic director and CEO of Louis Erard, approached Johner, the idea was formulated to create a limited series of watches with the sophistication of bespoke pieces at an affordable price. The result was the latest Le Régulateur model, the brand's flagship model for collaborations with the classic regulator dial layout.
In 1997, Johner developed the case design of his first Abyss watch with a hexagonal dial opening, and this feature gives the new Regulator model its special character. Although the Regulator watch case is a conventional round polished stainless steel case measuring 39 mm x 12.82 mm, at first glance it appears hexagonal. This optical illusion is further enhanced by the domed hexagonal sapphire glass covering the dial.
The new collaboration is offered with purple or blue dials and is limited to 178 pieces in each color. The prominent minute hand is located on the periphery and marked by a central hand, but has a hexagonal shape to emphasize the hexagonal dial opening. The hours are displayed on an additional dial with Roman numerals at noon, and small seconds at the 6 o'clock position. To give the watch individuality, the dial base with PVD coating features a sunray pattern reminiscent of traditional guilloché finishing, and the two additional anthracite dials have a concave shape and circular satin finish, reminiscent of engine turning.
Although the movement is an automatic Sellita SW266-1 élaboré with a 38-hour power reserve, Johner added his personal touch to the rotor. The rotor is decorated with 230 tiny beads, strung together, conveying the beaded finish Johner creates using a traditional perloir machine.
Availability and Price
The purple dial comes with a gray grained calfskin strap, while the blue dial is paired with a black grained calfskin strap, both with polished stainless steel buckles. The Régulateur Louis Erard x Cédric Johner watches are released in a quantity of 178 pieces each color and are priced at 4,000 Swiss Francs (excluding taxes). More information can be found on louiserard.com.