Horologii

Louis Erard Excellence Le Regulateur Louis Erard x seconde/seconde/ Watch Review

Louis Erard breaks the mould of traditional watchmaking once again with a rare collaboration with seconde/seconde/ to reveal the Louis Erard Excellence Le Regulateur Louis Erard x seconde/seconde/ watch, a limited edition based on the failing “404” error code found on the internet.

When we first met Louis Erard and welcomed them into our portfolio of luxury watches, it was quickly apparent that these timepieces were cemented in only the most traditional Swiss techniques. The Louis Erard Excellence collection in particular reflected the brand’s identity more than ever showing off rare but time-honoured complications like the regulator. More recently however, the Swiss based watch manufacturer has stepped away from convention and began combining the regulator combination with creative embellishments like creative materials and symbols. We’ve seen the Louis Erard Regulator transformed within collaborations with creative art studios like atelier oï and industry icons like Alain Silberstein, Vianney Halter and Eric Giroud. Now, Louis Erard delivers yet another limited edition designed with seconde/seconde/.

Seconde/seconde/, otherwise known as Romaric André, is an independent Paris-based designer renowned for taking vintage watches and swapping their hands for symbols found in contemporary culture. A look at his Instagram page and you can see Zenith watches detailed with Star Wars imagery, an Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar with Despicable Me-inspired minion hands, and a Patek Phillipe designed with a Dragon Ball Z minutes hand. Alongside Louis Erard, Romaric André merges the world of fine watchmaking with the internet using the dreaded  “404 Error” as the minute hand.

The display of the Louis Erard Excellence Le Regulateur Louis Erard x seconde/seconde/ watch showcases the 12 hour at 12 o’clock and the 60 seconds counter at 6 o’clock. At the centre, however, is where you’ll find the faulty addressing message, a playful nod to one of the many small, but annoying nuisance’s internet explorers see on a day-to-day. The hand is finished in the familiar Louis Erard blue and printed with the “404” numerals in white. When the hand aligns once every hour with the matching blue plaque at 3 o’clock, the watch face reads the “404 ERROR” message.

Other than the elements already mentioned on the dial, the rest of the specifications for the Louis Erard Excellence Le Regulateur Louis Erard x seconde/seconde/ watch remain the same to previous models in the collection. The watch is presented in a polished stainless steel case measuring to 42mm in diameter, 12.15mm in height and with a 49.6mm lug width. It also features domed sapphire crystal glass on top, an exhibition case back, a knurled crown and a water resistance of 50 metres.

Powering the regulator display is the Sellita SW 266-1 automatic movement. Alongside the hours, minutes and seconds complications, we’re promised a frequency of 28,800vph, a 38 hour power reserve and 31 jewels. The custom rotor is revealed through the sapphire crystal case back. Completing the Louis Erard Excellence Le Regulateur Louis Erard x seconde/seconde/ watch is a brown nubuck leather strap fitted with a stainless steel pin buckle.

As you’d expect from a collaboration watch, the Louis Erard Excellence Le Regulateur Louis Erard x seconde/seconde/ is a limited edition, this time of 178 pieces, a number chosen specifically to signify that we are always stronger together. If you’d like to get your hands on one of these pieces, head over to the Jura Watches website here or get in touch with the team at help@jurawatches.co.uk.

Specifications: Louis Erard Excellence Le Regulateur Louis Erard x seconde/seconde/ Limited Edition

  • Case Size: 42mm
  • Case Material: Stainless steel
  • Bezel: Fixed
  • Glass: Domed sapphire crystal
  • Crown: Knurled, non-screw locked
  • Case Back: Sapphire crystal
  • Water Resistance: 50 metres
  • Movement: Sellita SW226-1 automatic winding
  • Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
  • Power Reserve: 38 hours
  • Jewels: 31
  • Frequency: 28,800bph
  • Dial: Matte opaline silver, “404” blue minutes hand, “Error” plaque at 3 o’clock
  • Strap: Brown nubuck leather
  • Buckle: Pin
  • RRP: £2,350
  • Limited Edition: 178 pieces