New day, new mood.
In a book written in 1910 called Concerning the Spiritual in Art, the painter Wassily Kandinsky described "the psychological power of colors, which give rise to spiritual vibrations," and explored the effect shape has on color. In short, a yellow triangle and a yellow circle can have totally different effects on us.
Moreover, some colors can make us feel like an object is drawing nearer or moving away. All of this early 20th-century theory on color and shape has been studied in depth by the designer Alain Silberstein, whose recognizable style plays with primary colors and basic shapes.
Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein Smile-Day
Knowing how important color is to this architect and watch designer, the launch of the new Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein Smile-Day edition looks like a real game-changer. Previous collaboration editions came with white dial and khaki dials, but now the bright elements are set against a gray background.
The new edition still adheres to the same central idea: deliberate minimalism, and as Kandinsky wrote, primitive geometrical shapes that create one common motion. The hour indication is in the form of a red triangle, a blue arrow hand has been used for the minutes, while the seconds are indicated by a yellow squiggle.
Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein's partner portfolio already includes regulator and tourbillon models. The unusual indication for the day of the week plays a central role in this latest collaboration. Emojis are used instead of the usual letters to represent the days with seven different moods a person can experience.
The graphic composition is framed by a 40-mm titanium case with vertical sidebars that form the lugs and a conical winding crown tipped with red lacquer. The case measures 11.60 mm in height and 47 mm from lug to lug.
The novelty is equipped with a Sellita SW220-1 movement, where the rotor is decorated with the Louis Erard symbol in black lacquer.
Availability of the Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein Smile-Day is limited to 178 pieces. This number was chosen as it's a symbol in Chinese for the principle of standing strong together.