Louis Erard: the quintessence of sport

Four chronographs in limited series of 250 examples each. Each of these four timepieces concentrate the #excellence of high watchmaking without the excessive price. A smoked neo-vintage dial, extra-domed sapphire, ceramic, grade 5 titanium or bronze.

Dedicated to the sports spirit, the new #louiserard La Sportive timepieces are the ultimate proposition for anyone who wants it all in a chronograph watch: precision, reliability, readability, technical achievement, elegance and exclusiveness. These watches, each released in a limited series of 250 examples, establish a new standard of watchmaking #excellence in keeping with the approach taken by #louiserard beginning in 1929: to offer high-quality timepieces at ultra-competitive prices.

Let’s begin with the material of the case – in grade 5 titanium or bronze –, which plays on extremes to bring each of these four editions a distinctiveness reserved to exceptional watches.
Grade 5 titanium is the material of predilection in the most demanding fields of application: aeronautics, medicine and sports. Wherever there is a pursuit of an optimal rapport between lightness and solidity and between comfort and durability; and the need for resistance against shocks, chemicals, and corrosion. 30% harder and 60% lighter than steel, it is both anallergic and anti- magnetic. And let us mention its aesthetic qualities, emphasized by the contrast between satin-finished and polished surfaces. But few watchmaking brands seek to attain this level of #excellence.

Bronze also offers flawless resistance to wear, but it has the particularity of oxidizing and taking on a patina that brings a unique character to each watch, imprinting the surface of each one with the memories of irreplaceable moments in life.

The watch cases are topped with an extra-domed sapphire glass coated with an anti-reflective treatment, emphasizing the neo- vintage character of the smoked dials available in four shades: earth, fir trees, sky and mist, four hues that evoke the Jura, the birthplace of #louiserard. The brown and green versions are nestled in bronze cases. The blue and black versions are coordinated with grade 5 titanium.

All the timepieces are equipped with an insert bezel featuring a tachymeter crafted in fade-resistant, scratch-resistant black ceramic to match the black minute, hours and small seconds counters.

Technically speaking, each one is driven by a Valjoux 7750 calibre, the most tried-and-true movement of all traditional Swiss chronograph watches. The back of the watch is transparent, revealing the inner movement and self-rewinding weight, which have been redesigned and openworked in a resolutely sporty spirit.

The space between the lugs has been slightly enlarged, reinforcing the contemporary character of these watches. The straps are crafted in vintage calfskin and topped with a new clasp, an innovative titanium folding buckle that does not require the leather to be punctured.

A unique concentration of technical and aesthetic advantages for prices that are just as competitive: CHF 2,950 for the bronze version and CHF 3,250 for the grade 5 titanium version.

TITANIUM VERSION:
Recommended retail price: CHF 3,250.-
Movement Automatic chronograph, ETA 7750 Valjoux, 131⁄4’’’, Ø30.00 mm, height: 7.90 mm, 25 jewels, 28,800 VpH (4Hz). Élaboré grad movement with specially decorated oscillating weight + #louiserard engraving. Around 48 hours of power reserve

Functions HMS + chronograph + day/date
Time: central hour and minute hands, small seconds counter at 9:00, day/date at 3:00 Chronograph: central 60-second counter, 30-minute counter at 12:00, 12-hour counter at 6:00

Case Satin-finished/high polished grade 5 titanium, Ø44 mm, thickness: 15 mm, 3 pieces, bezel with black ceramic insert, extra- domed sapphire crystal with transparent anti-reflective treatment, screwed case back, élaboré grade movement visible through the transparent case back, water-resistant up to a pressure of 5 bars (50 m/165 ft)

Dial Shaded off grey/black or blue/black, sunburst satin finish, white transfers, indexes coated with Super-LumiNova, black counters, day/date at 3:00

Hands Hour and minute hands coated with Super-LumiNova for easier readability in the dark, white chronograph and small seconds hands

Strap Vintage brown or black calfskin with ecru stitching, black leather lining, titanium folding clasp

BRONZE VERSION:
Recommended retail price: CHF 2,950.-
Case CuSn8 satin-finished/high polished bronze, Ø44 mm, thickness: 15 mm, 3 pieces, bezel with black ceramic insert, extra-domed sapphire crystal with transparent anti-reflective treatment, screwed grade 5 titanium case back, élaboré grade movement visible through the transparent case back, water-resistant up to a pressure of 5 bars (50 m/165 ft)

Dial Shaded off brown/black or green/black, sunburst satin finish, white transfers, indexes coated with Super-LumiNova, black counters, day/date at 3:00

Hands Hour and minute hands coated with Super-LumiNova for easier readability in the dark, 4N PVD chronograph and small seconds hands

Strap Vintage brown or black calfskin with ecru stitching, black leather lining, titanium folding clasp