Louis Erard partners with Alain Silberstein again to create the new Smile-Day in Grey, using the iconic design language of shapes, colours and the emoticons for the day of the week.
Press Release information and hands-on commentary in italics with live photographs.
New with hands-on Review: Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein Smile-Day
The Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein Smile-Day Grey REF 75357TT03.BTT83 will retail at CHF 4,000 before taxes. Limited Edition of 178 pieces.
Hands-on Commentary
The colour scheme is in the same language as that used in the Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein x Watches of Switzerland Singapore, with the use of grey as the canvas and the delightful play of primary colours in red, blue and yellow signing the watch off as a Silberstein creation. The use of the different shapes for the HMS hands are also a design signature of Silberstein.
The novelty also incorporates a day of the week indicator above the date at 6 o’clock which uses the whimsical emoticons created by Alain. These go from Monday Blues to Sunday Sunshine. But as these are not carry nomenclature to any of the emoticons, the owner can choose to assign for the red smiley emoticon to Monday if he prefers. And can even change the emoticon according to mood. This quick change through all 7 available emoticons are available on the first click of the crown pull.
Overall, the watch carries over the architectural codes of the earlier Louis Erard x Silberstein collaborations starting with the Tryptique and closest to the La Semaine of said collection. Like the La Semaine, the Smile-Grey uses a standard centrally pivoted hands for the HMS. The case retains the round cylinder within a tonneau frame, loops for canvas straps, conical crown round off the quirkiness of this watch together with the Silberstein signatures already described. But attribute this to the design genius of Alain, and the combination of these seemingly crazy elements go together very well. And the watch, while retaining a playful character, is very comfortable on the wrist, and looks very beautiful.
The case cylinder is micro blasted Grade 2 titanium for a matte finish, contrasting to polished titanium used for thetonneau frame very nicely. The movement remains the Sellita SW220-1 which is used in many other Louis Erard creations, and is visible from the sapphire case back.
On the wrist, the 40m case feels very comfortable. The grey nylon strap is very pliable and soft, and fastened by velcro bits makes it easy to adjust the strap. A quick release system is provided for the strap.
Pricing remains interesting at CHF 4k for this novelty, which is a modest CHF 500 increase over the La Semaine Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein ref. 75357TT02.BTT88 back in 2021.
Release information
(All caps on the text are inherent in the original Press Release)
MAKE EVERY DAY A SMILE-DAY! WATCH YOUR MOOD SOAR: CHOOSE FROM 7 EMOJIS TO BOOST YOUR DAY! In THIS NEW collaboration with Alain Silberstein, Louis Erard brings joy to your days with a mood-transforming timepiece. SHAPE OR SHARE YOUR MOOD AT JUST A GLANCE! SINCE 2019, LOUIS ERARD HAS COLLABORATED WITH ALAIN SILBERSTEIN’JOYFUL, ARTY, rebellious & non-Conformsit ENERGY. BOTH BREAK THE MOLD and REFUSE TO BE LABELED. IF, JUST LIKE THEM, YOU ARE NOT READY TO BE PUT IN A BOX & KNOW YOU ARE THE ONE to CHOOSE HOW YOU SEE and LIVE LIFE, ONE OF THE 178 “Louis ERARD X ALAIN SILBERSTEIN SMILE-DAY” IS YOURS TO CLAIM! From Neutral to Radiant, FROM subtle smirk TO beaming with joy, FROM MONDAY BLUES TO SUNDAY SUNSHINE, It’s your pick. THE GREAT THING IS THAT YOU CAN ALWAYS START OVER & MOVE FORWARD!
Ready to turn those frowns upside down? With seven EMOJI faces to choose from, you can effortlessly dial up the positivity and brighten your day. Whether you’re feeling a bit blue or on top of the world, simply select the FACE that matches your mood and watch the good vibes roll in. YEAH, THERE IS DEFINITELY MORE DEEP SENSE AND MEANING BEHIND…THESE FACES.
French interior-architect-turned-watch-designer, Alain Silberstein is a pioneer, not just in his use of forms & colors but also in terms of having a single clear vision defining his work & remaining consistent throughout his life. THESE VALUES & VISION ARE WIDELY PRAISED, INCLUDING THROUGH MANUEL EMCH’S WORDS:
What seems like whimsy actually has deep ties with serious art and color theory. THAT’S WHERE THE LOUIS ERARD COLLABORATION ONCE AGAIN REFLECTS A BRAND CULTURE. THROUGH HIS WORDS, ALAIN SILBERSTEIN EXPLAINS HOW THE LOUIS ERARD COLLABORATION IS a celebration of the primary ESSENCE of time, in a clear, playful yet grounded design, where tradition is honored and boundaries are whimsically pushed.
Louis Erard x ALAIN SILBERSTEIN SMILE-DAY
IN a 40mm Microblasted grade 2 titanium & polished grade 5 titanium openworked round-shape CASE – flanked by arched bars that extend TO FORM lugs – SILBERSTEIN’S DISTINCTIVE SIGNATURES SMILE UP YOUR DAY! FEATURING his trademark design elements SINCE THE 1990S, DAYS ARE BRIGHTENED with THE iconic “smile-day” APERTURE AT a 6 o’clock. THE DIAL BOaSTS ALAIN’S BAUHAUS KANDINSKI-INSPIRED 3 HANDS in a MIX OF PRIMARY COLORS AND BOLD SHAPES : A RED triangular hour indicator, A BLUE ARROW-LIKE MINUTE HAND and a YELLOW SQUIGGLY SECONDS. THE CROWN FEATURES SILBERSTEIn’S RED LACQUERED TOUCH. THE GREY NYLON STRAP and ITS HOOK & LOOP FASTENER SYSTEM MAKE ADJUSTMENT EASY. IN A UNDERSTATED COOL SHADE ICONiCALLY known to CONNOISSEURS AS “Stahlgrau”, the grey transitions from glossy on the dial to BRIGHT ON THE STRAP.
What sets every Louis Erard collaboration apart?
Each ASSERts rebellious codes REFLECTING the brand’s disruptive vision: MERGING the Swissness of artisans and artists, asserting simplexity both aesthetically and technically, daring to defy norms, breaking new ground and using the framework as a springboard.
Why are Collab’ timepieces limited to 178?
MORE than a MERE number, 178 is a symbol of strength encapsulating the essence of “i chi ba” in Chinese which means “standing strong together”. It’s about the raw power of collaboration, embodying THE Louis Erard brand culture, where there are no frills, just pure strength derived from unity and togetherness, constantly striving to improve.
Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein Smile-Day Specifications
Movement
Automatic, Sellita SW220-1 calibre, day/date at 6 o’clock, 11½’’’, 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
Glossy grey, white transfers, signature Alain Silberstein day disc (“smiledays”) and date at 6 o’clock
Flange
Glossy white, blue and red indexes, grey transfers
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
Collaboration
Watch developed in collaboration with Alain Silberstein in a limited edition of 178 pieces
