Louis Erard has partnered with Label Noir for it’s latest version of their iconic Le Régulateur timepiece.
This new variation on the regulator theme captures the essence of collaboration between the Franches Montagnes region manufacture, Louis Erard and Label Noir, a Geneva-based atelier at the forefront of customisation for the past ten-years. The meeting of these two worlds has produced a spark – a green spark – that illuminates the rich black tones that watchmaking expertise is capable of producing.
Emmanuel Curti, head watchmaker and founder of Label Noir, wanted to redesign the regulator in his own way of reading the time – first the hour, then the minute, then the seconds. This order of reading led to graduated finishes, from true matte to a glossy sheen.
The small hour dial is the only gloss black element on the entire watch, highlighted by a thread of mirror-polished steel. The rest of the dial is in vertically brushed matte, accentuating the contrast, while the case is treated in matte black so as not to take any attention away from the dial. The strap adds a finishing touch, in black Cordura woven fabric that stands out from the rest, as if adding to the play of textures and extending the range of black tones.
Manuel Emch, artistic director of Louis Erard, has found a new way of drawing the lines of collaboration. Each element in this watch leads back to the same principle, that “we are always stronger together”. This model was built in dialogue, in a series of exchanges, over many proposals and iterations. Multiple prototypes and different versions were created.
“We are always stronger together.”
Manuel Emch, Artistic Director, Louis Erard
In the end, the most iconic model was chosen, the one that best reflects both worlds. Label Noir’s chromatic concentrate in design. Louis Erard’s signature components, the Excellence case, the fir-tree hands, and the regulator. And subtleties with surprising origins, for example, the idea of green glass on the open case-back came from Louis Erard, but is so Label Noir that it was kept for the final version.
Technical Specifications:
Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Label Noir ref. 85237NN57
Limited edition of 178 pieces
Recommended retail price: CHF 3,500
Movement: Automatic regulator, Sellita SW266-1 calibre, 11½’’’, Ø25.60 mm, height: 5.60 mm, 31 jewels, 28,800 VpH (4Hz), élaboré grade movement, meticulously decorated, special openworked oscillating weight with black lacquered Louis Erard symbol, approx. 38 hours of power reserve
Functions: HMS. Hour hand at 12 o’clock, central minute hand, second hand at 6 o’clock
Case: Sandblasted stainless steel with black PVD coating, Ø42 mm, lug width: 22 mm, lug to lug: 49.60 mm, thickness: 12.25 mm, 3 pieces, domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides, movement visible through the transparent green caseback, water resistant up to a pressure of 5 bars (50 m/165 ft), signature fir tree crown, caseback engraved with “Limited Edition 1 of 178”
Dial: Black, satin finish at 6-12 o’clock with white and green transfers, polished black lacquer counter at 12 o’clock with polished rhodium-plated ring and white transfer, counter at 6 o’clock with white and green transfers. Logos Louis Erard X Label Noir at 3 o’clock
Hands: Signature fir tree hands, rhodium-plated hour and minute hands and green lacquered second hand
Strap: Black nylon with green stitching, black calf leather lining, sandblasted stainless steel pin buckle with black PVD coating, functional catch spring bars enabling the strap to be changed quickly
Dimensions: 22/20mm width, 80/115mm length
Collaboration: Watch developed in collaboration with Label Noir in a limited edition of 178 pieces
For more information please visit Louis Erard