Louis Erard releases their new Excellence Petite Seconde Terracotta in two sizes. This very classical looking watch has a dial with earthy colours, drawing inspiration from the Franches-Montagnes trail in the Jura, where Louis Erard is located.
Press Release information with commentary in italics.
Excellence Petite Seconde Terracotta – This time, Louis Erard kept both feet firmly planted on the ground. In the land of the Jura, where the house has its roots and from which it has drawn its inspiration for this natural-coloured version of the Excellence Petite Seconde model. With a first: case available in 39 mm, in addition to the traditional 42 mm.
Commentary
It seems that Louis Erard is on fire! Hot off many interesting releases from 2020, they start off 2021 with this stunning stunning set in their Excellence range. This follows the stone dials used in the triptych, where the aventurine, lapis lazuli and malachite dials were used. The new Excellence Petite Sconde have now replaced stone with a traditional dial with rustic brown/red earth tones. Louis Erard does not specify the material of the dial, but our guess is that it is a traditional brass dial which is anodized in these colours. We will confirm this when we do our hands-on review.
Unlike the aforementioned triptych with Regulator style dials, the new Petite Seconde is true to its name, and is a very classical three hand watch with small seconds at 6 o’clock. This is a very classical aesthetic which is well suited for formal, informal and casual wear. The dial is a hue which many would have called salmon or even copper, but Louis Erard chose to call it terracotta – burnt earth. And one which draws its inspiration from the famous trails in the Jura area where the maison calls home. The colours are rather muted, but the earthy tones are rather attractive. And the subtle tone on tone contrasts works well with the juxtaposition of finishing methods used on the dial. The base dial is a matte, grained finish, with a chapter ring for the hours featuring a circular graining, and the seconds sub-dial showing the snailed texture of concentric circles.
The movement is a standard Sellita SW261-1, with automatic winding is visible through the sapphire case back. The movement has a power reserve of 38 hours, which is considered as somewhat low these days, but sufficient to carry the watch running if worn daily.
The Excellence Petite Seconde Terracotta is not a limited edition, but each size is a limited production of approximately 100 pieces a year. We have requested for a hands-on and photography session with the watch when it arrives in Singapore. And will report back with details when we have done so.
Louis Erard Excellence Petite Seconde Terracotta
The Louis Erard Excellence Petite Seconde Terracotta retails for SGD 2,830 / CHF 1,950 for both 42mm and 39mm versions. Prices are inclusive of GST / VAT.
Natural colours. Matt textures. The new version of the Excellence Petite Seconde lives up to its name: Terracotta. A combination of the warmth of the south and the softness of a Franches-Montagnes trail, home of Louis Erard watches. A long-awaited evolution, the Excellence Petite Seconde Terracotta is available in two sizes, the traditional 42 mm case and its refined 39 mm counterpart. In a limited production of approximately 100 pieces per year by reference.
The model is in line with the natural materials used in the Excellence triptych, in particular the use of stone, aventurine, lapis lazuli and malachite dials. It is no longer a question of stone, but of earth, of terracotta. A choice reminiscent of certain classic creations of the 1950s, but in a very contemporary vintage rendering, which once again underlines Louis Erard’s desire to mix genres and make fine watchmaking accessible, under the artistic direction of Manuel Emch.
Variations of semitones and shades. No shine, no burst of light breaks the muffled accords. The monochrome dial brings out the subtleties of the design, contrasting the circular satin finish on the fine grain of the centre and minute track sections. Highlighting of the snailed seconds counter at 6 o’clock.
There is no highlighting neither on the hands, nor on the indexes, which cast their delicate shadows on the dial like a forest in the softness of a white sun. The signature fir tree hands are treated in anthracite grey and polished. Matching transfers and indexes, also in anthracite grey.
The watch is completed with a dark brown Baranil calf leather strap. With polished stainless steel pin buckle and functional catch spring bars enabling the strap to be changed quickly
Louis Erard Excellence Petite Seconde Terracotta Specifications
Recommended retail price: CHF 1,950
Movement Automatic, Sellita SW261-1 calibre, 3 hands with small seconds at 6 o’clock, 11½”’, Ø25.60 mm, height: 5.60 mm, 31 jewels, 28.800 VpH (4Hz), élaboré grade movement, special openworked oscillating weight with Louis Erard symbol, approx. 38 hours of power reserve
Functions HMS
Central hour and minute hands, second hand at 6 o’clock
Excellence Petite Seconde Terracotta 42mm ref. 34237AA07
Case Polished stainless steel, 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 caseback, water-resistant up to a pressure of 5 bars (50 m/165 ft), signature fir tree crown
Dial Matt terracotta with circular satin-finished zone, snailed counter at 6 o’clock with diamond-cut area, anthracite transfers, glossy anthracite indexes
Hands Polished anthracite signature fir tree hands
Strap Dark brown Baranil calf leather with beige stitching, polished stainless steel pin buckle, functional catch spring bars enabling the strap to be changed quickly
Dimensions: 22/20 mm width, 80/115 mm length
Excellence Petite Seconde Terracotta 39mm ref. 34238AA07
Case Polished stainless steel, Ø39 mm, lug width: 20 mm, lug to lug: 46.48 mm, thickness: 12.25 mm, 3 pieces, domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides, movement visible through the transparent caseback, water-resistant up to a pressure of 5 bars (50 m/165 ft), signature fir tree crown
Strap Dark brown Baranil calf leather with beige stitching, polished stainless steel pin buckle, functional catch spring bars enabling the strap to be changed quickly
Dimensions: 20/18 mm width, 80/115 mm length
