At Baselworld 2011, Louis Erard will present its new classic-styled Excellence line. It looks like the new Excellence Regulateur Reserve de Marche (ref. 54230AA01), a model that is nothing but stunning in its reserved, even somewhat cold elegance, will be the flagship model of the whole series.
As the name implies and the dial layout proves, this is a “regulator” (which, basically, means that the hour and minute hands turn around different axes with the hour hand having its own sub-dial at 12 o’clock.)
Although thanks to its beautiful design, this one looks like a completely new model, it is in fact powered by the same ETA 7001 RE9 hand-wound caliber that animated the last year’s Louis Erard 1931 Regulateur Reserve de Marche that was presented during the Baselworld 2010 event.
The movement is based on the good old ETA Peseux 7001 hand-wound movement with an extra module that was developed by Louis Erard and the Swiss complications specialist Soprod S.A.
For its slimness (only 2.50 millimeters in height) and robustness, the base movement enjoys a good reputation even among serious watchmakers (among others, it is used by Omega, Chopard, Blancpain, and Chronoswiss; Eberhard & Co. used it for its 8 Jours model.)
The movement is hidden inside a round stainless steel case. Being 40 mm in diameter, it looks slender, which is important for a watch that is supposed to be worn with formal attire.
Its milky white dial looks to be sand-blasted and is perfectly matched with blued steel hands and finely printed Roman numerals on the hours sub-dial and Arabic numerals on the minute track.
The only thing that I do not like here is the way the recessed hours and subsidiary seconds sub-dials remind me of Jaquet Droz’s signature figure-eight dials (like the Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde SWROUGE, for example.)
Well, I am positive that the resemblance is purely unintentional.
Price is still unknown, but there is a good chance that Louis Erard will keep it below the €3000 mark*.
WWR Verdict
Originality 4.5/5
Build Quality: 5/5
Versatility: 4/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Overall Legibility: 4.5/5
Nighttime Legibility: 1/5
Value for Money: 4.5/5
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
* UPDATE ON PRICE: In the United States, the ref. 54230AA01 will be offered at a recommended minimum price of $4000 USD. This is more than your usual modified ETA-based regulator would cost, but, first, they will probably start offering pretty good discounts closer to the end of the year, and, second, in my opinion, the timekeeper looks like it is worth every penny the Swiss brand plans to ask for it, especially if you compare it to hundreds of other dressy regulators that look like they were designed by the same tired guy and made at the same factory.
See also: Louis Erard 1931 Chronometer Chronograph 79 220 OR 22
Photos: Louis Erard
Louis Erard Excellence Regulateur Reserve de Marche 54230AA01 specification
Price: $4000 USD
Movement: Hand-wound, Caliber ETA 7001 RE9, based on ETA Peseux 7001, modified together with Soprod, Swiss Made
Movement decoration: Diagonal Geneva stripes, blued and polished screw-heads, gears with sunburst finish, gold “Louis Erard” inscription
Functions: Regulator hours, minutes, small seconds, power reserve
Power reserve: 42 hours
Case: Stainless steel
Bezel: Stainless steel
Shape: Round
Size: 40.00 mm
Lug width: 21.00 mm
Case height: 9.00 mm
Dial: White, sand-blasted
Numerals: Roman
Hands: Blued
Water resistance: 50 meters
Strap: Black leather strap with stainless steel folding clasp
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective on both sides
Back: Decorated