The New and Original Louis Erard Régulateur x Cédric Johner

Louis Erard has developed a close working relationship with contemporary artists, watchmakers, artisans, and designers to position itself as one of the most exciting and original brands on the watchmaking scene. To bring the delights of high-end watchmaking to a broader audience, Louis Erard sticks to its policy of accessible prices. What other brand can offer a lineup of watches created in collaboration with big names like Alain Silberstein, Konstantin Chaykin or Vianney Halter, or for that matter, create artistic handmade marquetry or guilloché dials at reasonable prices? Today, the brand unveils its latest collaboration piece forged with yet another independent watchmaker, the Louis Erard Régulateur x Cédric Johner.

Just 15, Cédric Johner apprenticed as a jeweller at Chopard’s Geneva workshop and then studied watchmaking before embarking on a solo career. Determined to make as many components as possible in his atelier, his unique pieces are crafted using traditional tools and often combined with restored vintage mechanisms. Catering to his collectors, Johner is capable of producing anything from a three-hand watch to a perpetual calendar with a tourbillon and has developed signature decorations and finishings over the years. With no CNC machines or plans, Johner practices “intuitive watchmaking”. Take a look at his Abyss Chronograph with Valjoux 23 Calibre here.

When Manuel Emch, the Artistic Director and CEO of Louis Erard, approached Johner, an idea was formulated to craft a limited series of watches with the refinement of a bespoke piece at an accessible price. The result is the latest Le Régulateur, the brand’s flagship model for collaborations with its classic regulator-dial layout.

Johner’s 1997 case design for his first watch, the Abyss, featured a hexagonal dial opening, a feature that gives the new collaboration Regulator its distinctive character. Although the case is a regular, round, 39mm x 12.82mm polished, stainless steel Regulator case, it looks hexagonal at first glance. This optical illusion is further compounded by the incorporation of a domed hexagonal sapphire crystal covering the dial.

The new collaboration watch is offered with a mauve or blue dial and is limited to 178 pieces in each colour. As a regulator, the all-important minutes track is featured on the periphery and indicated by a central hand but is hexagonal to underscore the six-sided dial opening. The hours are relayed in a sub-dial with Roman numerals at noon, and the small seconds are at 6 o’clock. To give the watch its bespoke identity, the sunray pattern on the PVD dial base evokes traditional guilloché finishing, while the two anthracite-coloured sub-dials are concave and have a circular satin-brushed finish, suggestive of an engine-turned decoration.

Although the movement is a Sellita SW266-1 élaboré grade automatic with a 38-hour power reserve, Johner has added his personal touch to the rotor. Decorated with 230 tiny beads applied one by one, the rotor captures the beaded finishings Johner creates using a traditional perloir machine.

Availability & Price

The mauve dial is fitted with a grey grained calfskin strap, and the blue dial with a black grained calfskin strap, both with a polished stainless steel pin buckle. Limited to 178 pieces in each colour, the Régulateur Louis Erard x Cédric Johner retails for CHF 4,000 (excl. tax). For more information, please consult louiserard.com.