Louis Erard | Atelier oï

The third in the series of Louis Erard collaborations, this new 178-piece limited edition is based on the emblematic in-house Regulator model. For the first time, the collaboration goes beyond the scope of watchmaking, since atelier oï works in the fields of architecture and design. The invitation was however no coincidence, as the workshop based in La Neuveville has been close to the watch industry since its creation exactly 30 years ago. There has also been a friendly relationship between the two companies since the 1990s. In three decades, atelier oï has become a brand in its own right, achieving worldwide renown and earning over 30 distinctions that illustrate its unique character.

For this third capsule collection, Louis Erard once again set itself the goal of breaking down barriers and bringing within reach that which is often reserved for a specialist clientele. It also took on the additional challenge of plunging headlong without any safety net into the world of contemporary design – including all that this entails in terms of references, reflections, diversions and shocks. In designing this model, atelier oï worked on the simple premise of “radiating from the centre outwards”. Care was taken to reduce the technical vocabulary to a minimum, recalling the shape of a sundial. The result is a surface engraved with asymmetrical rays whose light reveals reflections and contrasts. The art of engraving is expressed here in its essence: lines that are traced in such a way as to create a space to which hands add the dimension of time.

The Regulator naturally imposed its own rhythm: the hands become centres from which rays emanate, generating visual kinetics enlivened by each wrist movement, endowing the two-dimensional dial with the depth of radiant architecture. The result is a pure work of art with no interruptions, not even the Louis Erard logo. While the reading of time is somewhat dematerialised – one has to mentally reconstruct the puzzle of the hour angles – not all links with traditional display are broken, since the minutes track still appears on the periphery of the dial, with a more pronounced line every five minutes and exactly 60 segments.