Louis Erard has been a busy boy. Today, they announce yet another collaboration with Alain Silberstein. This time a Diptyque. This time Le Régulateur and Le Semaine.
Press Release information with commentary in italics.
New: Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein Le Diptyque
The retail price for the Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein Le Régulateur ref. 85358TT01.BTT83 and the for Le Semaine ref. 75357TT01.BTT83 is CHF 4,000. Both are limited editions of 178 pieces each. The watches are also available as a set of two watches, ref. 11111TT01.DIPTYQUE (special diptych box set, limited to 56 sets) at a recommended retail price of CHF 7,777.
Commentary
This is the third watch we are seeing with the collaboration between Louis Erard and Alain Silberstein. And the fifth between Manuel Emch and Alain, as they first collaborated when the former was CEO of Romaine Jerome. We documented the first three Louis Erard x Alain Silbrerstein collaborations as follows:
- Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein Regulator
- Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein Triptych
- Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein x Watches of Switzerland Singapore
These collaborations have been wildly sucessful. All are sold out, and are commanding good premiums in the secondary market. So in the effort to democratise these watches further, another set is released. This time, a set of two, both with a opaline matte silver dial, and the multicolour accents on the multi-shaped hands that Alain is well known for. And the two chosen are the ever popular regulator, and the smiley calendar, where every day has its own doodle face. As usual, the movement remains the same Sellita SW 226-1.
As with the previous releases, our advice is that if you want one or both of these watches, rush.out right now and book yours with your authorized dealer or from the Louis Erard. We are pretty sure, it will be sold out in no time.
Release details
Louis Erard celebrates 2022, the year of the figure two (or nearly), with a special edition of two pieces made with two times two hands: Louis Erard and Alain Silberstein. Two inseparable names since their first collaboration in 2019, two watches that became collector’s items as soon as they were released, such as the triptych that followed. This new diptych continues the trend, with two new variants, Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein Blanc and La Semaine Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein Blanche. Two times 178 pieces.
2022, year of the figure two. Couple, duo, tandem. History is written by two, the adventure is lived by two: Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein. Since the pair joined forces, nothing has been the same and it is not likely to stop. Copernican encounter: Two ex machina. Louis Erard was looking for his future while Alain Silberstein was looking for his present. The two times were one and the two destinies were united, inseparable, as at the beginning of a saga.
And the saga continues. Manuel Emch, CEO and artistic director of Louis Erard, has once again invited Alain Silberstein to continue the collaboration started in 2019. The fusion of the two worlds has this time given birth to a diptych. Two mechanical variations: a regulator, an original complication from Louis Erard, and a Smiley weekly calendar, Alain Silberstein’s emblematic calendar — every day has its face, its mood, its humour. A work in two parts, symbolic, allegorical, heraldic.
Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein Blanc La Semaine Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein Blanche
The two references are produced in a limited series of 178 pieces, a number whose meaning is reinforced from collaboration to collaboration: together we are stronger. Fifty-six watches in a special diptych box set will be available at the exceptional price of CHF 7,777.
The individual sale price is in itself remarkable: CHF 4,000. Entry price on the collector’s watch – the previous chapters of the Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein collaboration have already proven this with a sustained rating on the secondary market. A price that also signs Louis Erard’s profession of faith: to be the access point to exceptional watchmaking, through capsule editions with contemporary creative artists, and special series dedicated to métiers d’art.
Apart from the white dial and the light grey strap, this diptych takes up the exterior elements of the 2021 triptych version – which was sold out as soon as it was released. A case composed of a tubular container in microblasted grade 2 titanium and transparent caseback, fixed on a vertical sidebar called “brancard” in polished grade 5 titanium and flanked by a signature conical crown stamped with the Louis Erard symbol. The strap is made of special nylon, breathable, ergonomic and adjustable for perfect wearing comfort.
Is it still necessary to introduce Alain Silberstein? Artist, designer, watchmaker architect. A pioneer of the creative watch at the end of the 1980s. A leading figure in the fusion of art and watchmaking. Head of independent watchmaking, inveterate risk taker, Alain Silberstein left the circuit too early due to the economic setback of the 2010s but returned to the race through the great door of collaborations and once again has become immensely popular through Louis Erard.
Is it still necessary to introduce Louis Erard watches? Maison du Noirmont, independent by its roots and by vocation. A model of resistance: built in the middle of the Wall Street Crash of 1929, a survivor of all watchmaking crises, faithful to its commitment to fine, affordable traditional watchmaking. Louis Erard would not be the brand we know today without the impetus of Manuel Emch, artistic and strategic director.
This diptych tells this double story and concentrates all its energies. Simple and unconventional, like disconcerting evidence. It’s as if the two had lost their heads.
More collaborations will follow.
Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein Le Diptyque specifications.
Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein Blanc ref. 85358TT01.BTT83 Limited edition of 178 pieces
Recommended retail price: CHF 4,000
Movement
Automatic regulator, Sellita SW266-1 calibre, 111⁄2’’’, 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 in a counter at 12 o’clock, central minute hand, seconds hand in a counter at 6 o’clock
Case
Microblasted grade 2 titanium & polished grade 5 titanium, Ø40 mm, lug width: 22 mm, lug to lug: 47 mm, thickness: 11.60 mm, 2 pieces, sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides, movement visible through the transparent caseback, water resistant up to a pressure of 10 bars (100 m/330 ft), Alain Silberstein red lacquered signature crown with Louis Erard symbol, caseback engraved with “Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein 1 of 178”
Dial
Opaline (matt silver) with counter at 12 o’clock, grey and red transfers, flange featuring blue and red indexes
Alain Silberstein signature hands: red lacquered hour hand, blue lacquered minute hand and yellow lacquered second hand
Hands
Grey nylon and microblasted grade 2 titanium, hook-and-loop fastener system for quick adjustment, functional catch spring bars allowing the strap to be changed quickly
Strap
Dimensions: 22.70 mm width, 225 mm length, suitable for a wrist circumference of 140 to 200 mm
La Semaine Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein Blanche ref. 75357TT01.BTT83 Limited edition of 178 pieces
Recommended retail price: CHF 4,000
Movement
Automatic, Sellita SW220-1 calibre, day/date at 6 o’clock, 111⁄2’’’, Ø25.60 mm, height: 5.05 mm, 26 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, mood of the day/date 3 central hands
Case
Microblasted grade 2 titanium & polished grade 5 titanium, Ø40 mm, lug width: 22 mm, lug to lug: 47 mm, thickness: 11.60 mm, 2 pieces, sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides, movement visible through the transparent caseback, water resistant up to a pressure of 10 bars (100 m/330 ft), Alain Silberstein red lacquered signature crown with Louis Erard symbol, caseback engraved with “Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein 1 of 178”
Dial
Opaline (matt silver), grey transfers, signature Alain Silberstein day disc (“smiledays”) and date at 6 o’clock, flange featuring blue and red indexes
Hands
Alain Silberstein signature hands: red lacquered hour hand, blue lacquered minute hand and yellow lacquered second hand
Strap
Grey nylon and microblasted grade 2 titanium, hook-and-loop fastener system for quick adjustment, functional catch spring bars allowing the strap to be changed quickly
Dimensions: 22.70 mm width, 225 mm length, suitable for a wrist circumference of 140 to 200 mm
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