The Low-Down

Last year Louis Erard landed a critical hit with their bright, collaborative pieces with pioneering watch designer Alain Silberstein. Building from their fun face at Geneva Watch Days, the brand has shown what else it’s capable of with the classical Excellence trilogy, featuring small seconds, a regulator and a monopusher chronograph, as well as some stunning special dials. This is followed up by a sporty quartet appropriately called La Sportive, which is a limited edition available in bronze and titanium.

IMHO

Let’s start off at the dressier end of the spectrum with the Excellence Triptyque. Billed as the new core for Louis Erard’s traditional designs, this handsome trilogy is classical yet modern, a refreshing change to the heritage rehashes that have become so de rigueur.

Excellence Petite Seconde

This 42mm steel number represents the accessible entry point into the collection, and, with a suggested price of CHF 1500, it’s a compelling proposition. Powered by an automatic Selitta SW 2612-1. The case, movement and suede strap are all well and good, but it’s the dial that sings. The monochromatic silver dial is rich, multi-levelled and full of texture and, with the signature blued ‘fir tree’ hands, it makes quite an impression.

Excellence Régulateur

Following the same formula as the small seconds, this regulator features the same matte silver dial, with lots of open space and snailed regulator sub-dials, making the most out of a design that has become something of a staple for the Jura brand. The design of the dial is quite something, as it strikes a fine balance between being inspired by the golden era of mid-century watch design while also feeling contemporary and original. It’s a tricky line to walk, but Louis Erard has done it well.

Excellence Chrono Monopoussoir

The final instalment of the core Excellence trilogy is the monopusher chronograph. The Sellita SW500 MPCa provides the beating heart of this unconventional chronograph, with a single minutes register to match the single pusher. And while the brand offers sportier chronograph options (more on that shortly), it’s entirely fitting that this monopusher proves that not all chronographs need to be designed for the track or field. And priced as it is at CHF 3500, this watch makes an excellent case for itself.

Excellence Régulateur in Aventurine, Malachite and Lapis-Lazuli

The excellence doesn’t end there as, in addition to the core collection, Louis Erard has launched a series of special, artisanal dials. Aventurine glass, lapis-lazuli and malachite. Three materials in three colours for three distinct moods, united by elegance. Each watch is limited to 99 pieces, but the real surprise here is the price. Hardstone dials are typically the domain of five or even six-figure price tags, while these wearable works of art will retail at CHF 2900.

La Sportive Limited Editions

Two case materials. Four dials. One sporty look. The new La Sportive line of chronographs is being billed by Louis Erard as a do-it-all daily sports wearer, and with a chunky 44mm case, ceramic bezel and ever-reliable Valjoux 7750 inside, it certainly looks up to the task. But practicality doesn’t mean that style needs to be sacrificed, as these limited editions either come in polished CuSn8 bronze, or grade 5 titanium, with really well-done graduated dials in brown, green, blue or black depending on the model. Add to this the fact that all the chronograph registers are in black, and you’ve got a sporty chrono that certainly stands out from the pack.

Tech specs

Excellence Petite Seconde

Movement: Automatic, Sellita SW261-1 calibre, 38 hours of power reserve
Case and dial: Polished stainless steel, 42mm, water-resistant to 50M. Opaline (matt silver) with circular satin-finished area, snailed counter at 6:00 with diamond-cut area, anthracite transfers, glossy silver indexes
Strap: Chocolate calf nubuck
Pricing and availability: CHF 1500

Excellence Régulateur

Movement: Automatic regulator, Sellita SW266-1 calibre, 38 hours of power reserve
Case and dial: Polished stainless steel, 42mm, water-resistant to 50M. Opaline (matt silver), snailed dual counter with diamond-cut area, anthracite transfers, glossy silver indexes
Strap: Chocolate calf nubuck
Pricing and availability: CHF 2500

Excellence Chronographe Monopoussoir

Movement: Automatic monopusher chronograph, Sellita SW500MPCa, 48 hours of power reserve.
Case and dial: Polished stainless steel, 42mm, water-resistant to 50M. Opaline (matt silver) with circular satin-finished area, snailed counter at 12:00 with diamond-cut area, anthracite transfers, glossy silver indexes
Strap: Chocolate calf nubuck
Pricing and availability: CHF 3500

Excellence Régulateur Aventurine, and Malachite

Movement: Automatic regulator, Sellita SW266-1 calibre, 38 hours of power reserve
Case and dial: Polished stainless steel, 42mm case, water resistant to 50M. Dials in blue aventurine, open worked lapis-lazuli or open worked malachite
Strap: Nubuck leather to match the dial
Pricing and availability: each dial limited to 99 pieces; CHF 2900

La Sportive Limited Editions

Movement: Automatic chronograph, ETA 7750 Valjoux, 48 hours of power reserve
Case and dial: CuSn8 satin-finished/high polished bronze or grade 5 titnaium, depending on reference, 44mm x 15mm, water-resistant to 50M, shaded dials in grey/black, blue/black, brown/black or green/black.
Strap: Brown or black calfskin
Pricing and availability: Each model limited to 250 pieces; titanium models: CHF 3250, bronze models: CHF 2950