Louis Erard - Excellence Émail Grand Feu

Louis Erard launched the Excellence Émail Grand Feu ref. 34237AA54. Featuring a precious enamel dial, it has a price of CHF 3,900

Louis Erard just presented the Excellence Émail Grand Feu, a timepiece that marks the first time that the Swiss brand creates a timepiece incorporating an artistic craftwork, and not a minor one but a precious Grand Feu enamel (émail in French) dial!

Cooperating with Donzé Cadrans, the art workshop in Le Locle specialized in creating enamel dials of high-end watches, Louis Erard bridged the gap between high-end artistic craftwork and accessible watches.

Issued in a limited series of only 99 pieces, the Excellence Émail Grand Feu offers a cream coloured Grand Feu enamel dial with blue and beige enamelled transfers and the distinctive fir tree hands in blued steel. The small seconds sub-dial at 6 o'clock enhances the elegance to the ensemble.

Far from any industrial logic and mass production, every dial is made by hand, piece by piece, following centuries-old methods.

In fact, the traditional Grand Feu enamel method required the dials to be built up little by little, with a mixture of silica, metallic oxide and potassium applied in successive layers to a metal disc repeatedly fired in a kiln heated to more than 800°C.

This process continues until the dial has attained its unique glowing texture.  At this point, the numerals and the other indications can be transferred on the enamel surface of the dial.

Crafted from stainless steel with a polished finish and water resistant to 50 metres / 165 feet, the 42 mm round case houses a Sellita SW261-1 automatic movement that is visible through the open caseback.

Beating at the frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour), this élaboré grade movement features a special openworked oscillating weight with Louis Erard symbol and offers a power reserve of approximately 38 hours.

For a nice informal touch, the watch is matched to a coffee-coloured strap in calf nubuck leather with tone-on-tone stitching and a pinbuckle in polished steel.

Limited to just 99 pieces produced at the pace of around 15 pieces per month, the Louis Erard Excellence Émail Grand Feu ref. 34237AA54 has a recommended retail price of CHF 3,900, a very appealing price considering the type of finish and and the Grand Feu enamel dial. louiserard.com