Louis Erard Excellence Petite Seconde Colours
The Louis Erard Excellence Petite Seconde Colours is available in a choice of three brightly coloured dial options: Bleu Nuit, Violette or Bleu Glacier. Upholding the brand’s policy of democratising luxury, these new models deliver a high quality-price ratio. As well as discussing these new models, Angus Davies explores the secret behind the brand’s extraordinary success.
The Louis Erard Excellence Triptych collection (2021)
In 2021, Swiss watch brand, Louis Erard, released the inaugural Excellence Petite Seconde. Housed in a 42mm steel case, the model featured a silver-toned dial and blue fir-tree style hands, inspired by Art Sapin, an interpretation of Art Nouveau unique to the Jura region.
Le Noirmont
Last year, the firm from Le Noirmont returned with a new version of the Excellence Petite Seconde, on this occasion, fitted with a terracotta-coloured dial and silver-toned hands. Clearly aware of the public’s growing appetite for smaller case sizes, the Swiss marque offered the watch in two variants, 42mm and, a new size, 39mm.
Louis Erard watches
Since Manuel Emch began working with Louis Erard in April 2019 and joining its board in December 2020, the watch firm has never looked back. Its extraordinary success can be attributed to three primary reasons.
Firstly, while Louis Erard watches may be accessibly priced, they certainly don’t lack refinement. Indeed, close examination of each watch dial reveals a plethora of different finishes, harmoniously coexisting side by side.
Secondly, beyond the appearance of the brand’s dials, the cases are baby-soft smooth and devoid of sharpness, proving both ergonomic and tactile. Under the leadership of Manuel Emch, the firm has achieved economies of scale by using the same components for several different models. For example, the crown fitted to the inaugural Excellence Petite Seconde of 2021 has been subsequently employed on other models. This approach has allowed the Swiss Maison to deliver a high quality-price ratio again and again. However, the brand has not stuck doggedly to using the same components when opportunities for product advancement have presented themselves. For example, with its latest Excellence Petite Seconde models, the Jura-based firm has employed a new, refined case design.
Limited numbers of timepieces
Lastly, the Swiss marque has not flooded the market with huge volumes of products. On the contrary, the brand makes limited numbers of timepieces, sometimes just 99 pieces, while on other occasions 178 examples (a number of special significance to the brand). By taking this approach, the company’s retail partners are not overwhelmed with inordinate amounts of stock, a curse blighting some rival brand’s products that inevitably impacts on the bottom line. Incidentally, some recent models have been snapped up within the blink of an eye, leading to some sought-after references attracting premiums on the pre-owned market.
Quite simply, Louis Erard has democratised luxury, delivering more for comparatively less.
Louis Erard Excellence Petite Seconde Colours (2023)
Now, the Maison has launched three new versions of the Louis Erard Excellence Petite Seconde, each one dressed in one of three distinctive dial hues, namely Bleu Nuit (midnight blue), Violette (purple) and Bleu Glacier (ice blue). The fir-tree hands make a welcome return, while the hours are denoted with a combination of slender triangular indexes and contemporary Arabic numerals san serifs. Predictably, the number of watches available will be limited with each dial colour restricted to just 100 – 150 pieces per annum.
Look beyond the hour track and you will find a neat minute track, combining succinct markings and numerals positioned at 10-minute intervals. The small seconds display, located at 6 o’clock, features a ‘diamond-cut zone’, delineating it from the main dialscape. The central area of the display is matte and smooth, while the hour track is circular satin-finished. The long inventory of subtle details would shame some costlier watches. And yet, despite the myriad of dial details, the overall composition looks harmonious and considered.
Upgraded and more refined 39mm case
All three Louis Erard Excellence Petite Seconde models are housed in a new, upgraded and more refined 39mm polished steel case. The combination of coloured dials and gleaming steel works well, proffering a note of ebullience while remaining tasteful. The hands, indexes and crown will be familiar to existing Louis Erard clients, an approach that helps the luxury marque deliver the aforesaid economies of scale.
Sellita SW261-1
At the heart of these brightly coloured models sits a Sellita SW261-1 automatic movement. It faithfully ticks to a cadence of 4Hz and will run autonomously for 38 hours. Louis Erard has a longstanding relationship with the Swiss movement specialist. Indeed, having spoken to Manuel Emch in the past, he has often described Sellita as a ‘partner’, an indication of the close relationship both companies share. The extremely reliable Sellita SW261-1 has been employed in several Louis Erard watches, again subscribing to the economies of scale business philosophy.
Calf leather straps
Colour-coordinating, calf leather straps complete the ensemble. They feature contrasting blue-grained linings and polished steel pin buckles. Moreover, all models feature ‘functional catch spring bars enabling the strap to be changed quickly’.
And there we have it. Louis Erard differentiates its models with bewitching dial designs, packed with flavour and, in this instance, vibrant shades. By using the same movements etc for several references, the brand is able to buy quality components in bulk, sharing the resultant cost savings with watch lovers, thereby allowing a diverse array of clients to experience the brand’s winning combination of style and quality.
Further reading
Louis Erard Swiss Mechanical Watches
Technical specifications
- Model: Louis Erard Excellence Petite Seconde Bleu Nuit Ref. 34248AA05
- Model: Louis Erard Excellence Petite Seconde Violette Ref. 34248AA06
- Model: Louis Erard Excellence Petite Seconde Bleu Glacier Ref. 34248AA09
- Case: stainless steel, diameter 39 mm, height 12.82mm, water resistance 5ATM (50m), sapphire crystal to the front and exhibition case back.
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds at 6 o’clock
- Movement: Sellita SW261-1 calibre; self-winding movement; frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz); 31 jewels; power reserve 38 hours
- Strap: Colour-coordinating calf leather paired with a polished stainless steel pin buckle
- Price: CHF 2,222 (RRP as of 7.2.2023)
- Limited Edition: Each reference is limited to 100 to 150 pieces per year