The Le Régulateur Louis Erard x atelier oï Limited Edition

With asymmetrical rays of light that “radiate from the centre outwards”, the dial of the new Le Régulatur Louis Erard x atelier oï watch is a spectacle in itself, nourished by a reliable movement that displays the time on a minimalist regulator display. There will be just 178 pieces of the radiant design made available worldwide.

The regulator watch has a very distinct design. Inspired by 18th-century master clocks, it has a separate minutes, hours and seconds module built into its dial. Since the relaunch of Louis Erard’s Le Regulateur watch in 2003, the Swiss watchmaker has dedicated several timepieces to reviving this historic complication, including collaborative work with Eric Giroud. These models in particular were renowned for their exquisite minimalist dials that focussed on the simple passing seconds, minutes and hours of each day. This new Le Régulateur Louis Erard x atelier oï watch, however, sees the Swiss brand collaborate with another independent master of design – atelier oï. The leading Swiss architecture studio has aided Louis Erard in creating a stunning and incredibly unique dial. The design of the new Louis Erard Regulator watch has been influenced by watchmakers, Alain Silberstein and Vianney Halter. Before we start though – a little on Atelier oï…

Atelier oï

Derived from the Russian word troïka (meaning a team of three), atelier oï is located in La Neuveville and was founded in 1991 by Aurel Aebi, Armand Louis and Patrick Reymond. The company is managed by Manuel Emch, whose name is also associated with Jaquet Droz. The trio of watchmakers alongside Louis Erard came up with a design concept for the dial of the new Le Regulateur Louis Erard x atelier oï watch. Reminiscent of a sun-dial, the purpose of the display is to create the impression of shards of light radiating from the centre of the watch face. Interior architecture, product design and scenography are all award-winning skills possessed by atelier oï who takes a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach towards creativity.

The dial of the new Le Régulateur Louis Erard x atelier oï

The dial of the new Le Régulateur Louis Erard x atelier oï watch boasts asymmetrical rays that create a compelling mix of reflections and shimmering contrasts. Whilst evoking the shape of said sundial, the purpose of the watch is also to reduce technical vocabulary on the dial, with as little detail, lettering and features included as possible. In true Le Regulateur style, the minutes are the protagonists of the dial, yet there are simply no markings against this radiant display – only blued baton hands that look simply stunning against a backdrop of engraved lines – filling the dial with a sense of depth despite the absence of details.

Somehow, Louis Erard manages to communicate the time on a very simple face whilst concealing the intricacy and meticulous craftsmanship of its internal layers. It is a deceivingly complex design that plays on an illusion of simplicity. The lines have been engraved into a “Black Or” slate grey base, creating a similar effect to kinetic artworks. Contrasting tones and grooves catch the light and cast shadows across the surface of the dial, whilst at the same time, the three-dimensional effect of these techniques is similar to that of moving sheets of silk.

As already mentioned, the blued minute hand is the largest of all three. The hour hand sits at 12 o’clock and the seconds hand sits at 6 o’clock. They both reside in the centre of the departure location of each spiralling centre, where lines fan out across the display in a playful mix of polished silk-like finishes and matte underlayers. The effect is that of rays of sunlight that cleverly conceal something much more detailed. Although missing the usual features you may expect to see on the dial of a watch, there are sixty segments around the periphery of the dial. This is where it suddenly becomes clear that these asymmetrical lines are far from randomly created. A more pronounced line is clear at every five-minute interval too. Here the fundamental tools to timekeeping are present although discreet.

The case and movement of the Le Régulateur Louis Erard x atelier oï watch

The case of the new Le Régulateur Louis Erard x atelier oï watch is developed in a very similar way to other past models from the Le Regulateur series. A fully polished stainless steel case measures 42mm on the gent’s wrist and sits up at a depth of 12.25mm. A special inscription bearing the words “atelier oï x Louis Erard Limited Edition x of 178“ is featured on the back of the case, equipped with a sapphire crystal exhibition caseback that reveals the performance of a self-winding movement. The Sellita SW266-1 is an old reliable. It beats at a rhythm of 28,800 vibrations per hour and keeps accurate time whilst away from the wrist for up to 38 hours. A stunning open-worked rotor has been put on display through the see-through caseback, as well as other traditional Swiss decorative finishes.

The new Le Régulateur Louis Erard x atelier oï watch comes fitted on a grey Nubuck calf leather strap with tone-on-tone stitching and a polished stainless steel buckle. If you’d like further details on the watch or wish to make a purchase, you can visit the product page here or call our sales team at Jura Watches on 01335 453453

Technical Specifications of the Le Régulateur Louis Erard x atelier oï watch

• Case; 42mm – polished – stainless steel – domed sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective treatment
• Dial: "Black Or" slate grey with matte and polished techniques– designed by atelier oï – sun-dial inspired – 60 engraved markings for each minute – longer markings for five-minute increments – blue baton hands – no other dial details
• Movement: Sellita SW266-1 / Swiss-made – self-winding – 28.800 v.p.h – 38-hour power reserve – open-worked rotor
• Strap: Grey - Nubuck calf leather - tone-on-tone stitching -polished stainless steel buckle
• Price; £3,300
• Availability: One of 178 available worldwide
• Reference: 85237AA53