The company Louis Erard has evolved to become one that's really interesting to watch over the last year.
The brand founded by Louis Erard in La Chaux-de-Fonds almost a century ago has experienced a number of reincarnations, the most recent of which has probably attracted the most attention. You can say that again! The watch manufacturer which once specialized in affordable models has switched to working in collaboration with famous watchmakers such as Eric Giroux and Vianney Halter.
A model designed by Alain Silberstein has even made the shortlist of nominated watches for the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG). This is all thanks to Manuel Emch's arrival, who was invited to join the company by its current CEO Alain Spinedi.
Louis Erard has him to thank for the change in company's conceptual direction and its very revival. Now everything's changed again. Thanks to Emch who previously headed Jaquet Droz and Romain Jerome, the Louis Erard brand no longer places its bets on quantity. It's all about quality now. The latest Louis Erard novelties are instant sellouts — priced at up to 4000 CHF, limited to 178 pieces, and bearing famous names in watchmaking with all the quintessential details for premium watches.
The newest model — the Excellence Émail Grand Feu Small Seconds — is bound to be given the same reception. Louis Erard didn't collaborate with anyone for this watch, but that doesn't make the model any less interesting. The brand has managed to set the price below the 4000 mark again, and the model has still been given a Grand Feu enamel dial, fired at a scorching hot temperature using techniques that date back a number of centuries.
It was created by enamelers at the Donzé Cadrans workshop which has been owned by Ulysse Nardin since 2011. Donzé Cadrans has continued to work with third-party clients as well. Louis Erard decided not to reinvent the wheel when it comes to watch movements. The company doesn't work on its own calibers.
For example, the Sellita SW261-1 automatic movement has been used in the Excellence Émail Grand Feu, which can be observed through the watch's transparent caseback. The 42 mm case is made of polished steel and is water-resistant to 50 meters. Coupled with these practical specifications, the enamel dial is the real cherry on top, and it’s the reason why all 99 pieces sold like hot cakes.