To say that Louis Erard has been on a roll would be a massive understatement. Watches like the Petite Seconde Guilloche and the Main II showcase a level of build quality, attention to detail, and finishing that is far above their price points. What has made all this possible is Louis Erard’s willingness to work with artists, craftsmen, and independent watchmakers to usher in new ideas and techniques. This openness to and appreciation for individual style and traditional methods has been the brand’s calling card as of late. In this same spirit, Louis Erard proudly introduces Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Cédric Johner, a new duo of watches created in collaboration with esteemed watchmaker and jeweler Cédric Johner. We’re excited to offer them right here in the Windup Watch Shop and discover what makes these two new watches some of the best and most personalized Louis Erard has ever created.
To understand the Le Régulateur watches, we must first study the man behind them. One could consider Cédric Johner a somewhat unorthodox watchmaker. Johner’s self-described “intuitive watchmaking” method means he creates each component of every watch, one at a time, without adhering to a strict plan. His background in jewelry at Chopard prior to his watchmaking apprenticeship provides him a particular artistic eye and a special appreciation for beauty, and all of this experience comes together in this new collection, one that brings aspects of bespoke watchmaking to a new audience.
These watches themselves are a direct result of this meticulous approach. There are two versions, one with a blue dial and the other a mauve hue. Both models have 39mm stainless steel cases (45.9mm lug to lug) with domed hexagonal sapphire crystals up top and exhibition casebacks on the flip side. Water resistance is rated to 5 bars (50m/165 ft). Time-telling is displayed via a Regulator format in which hours, minutes, and seconds are non-coaxial and are displayed in separate counters.
By taking a closer look at the dial, we can admire the expert watchmaker’s deft touch. The first detail that jumps out is the beautiful hand-engraved guilloché decoration, a craft typically reserved for the last word in haute horology. From this we then recognize the concave turned hour and minute counters of the regulator dial, design elements that accentuate the dial’s depth and contrast. The leaf-shaped hands, elegant typography, and polished hour markers are all brilliantly balanced and executed, resulting in one of the most beautiful dials Louis Erard has ever created.
The party continues out back. Let’s be totally clear: this is no ordinary off-the-shelf movement. Known as the Sellita SW266-1, this automatic caliber has been fastidiously decorated individually by none other than Cédric Johner himself: 230 crafted beads are placed one at a time onto the custom oscillating weight. The SW266-1 also features other ornate decorative touches and beats at 28,800 vph (4 Hz) while offering 38 hours of power reserve. Paired with these watches are 20mm gray and black-grained calf leather straps with polished stainless steel buckles and quick strap change mechanisms. This outstanding collection of watches is a celebration of the beauty and craft of independent watchmaking on a level previously unseen at this price point. We are excited to offer them here in the Windup Watch Shop, but act fast as pieces are limited to 178 examples in each Blue and Mauve.
