Louis Erard has introduced the Régulateur Louis Erard X Sylvie Fleury Palette of Shadows, a regulator style hours-minutes-seconds watch inspired by make-up palettes. It is a collaboration with renown Swiss artist Sylvie Fleury.

Image: Sylvie Fleury. (Image Credit: www.theartnewspaper.com)
“Sylvie Fleury is a contemporary Swiss artist. Creating mixed-media works out of the tradition of Conceptualism, her pieces pointedly critique superficiality, glamour, and luxury products while—at the same time—seeking their affirmation.” (Source: www.artnet.com)
“Through her creations, Sylvie Fleury affirms the power of art to provoke, question and shake up the status quo […] This reflects the Louis Erard brand culture: blurring the boundaries between craftsmanship, art and accessibility, without letting the frame of a watch become its creative limit” – Manuel Emch, Delegate Member of the Board and CEO of Louis Erard.
Key Features
“Sylvie has been transforming make-up palettes into monumental works of art. In this way, beauty products become part of the history of abstract painting. The question of painting takes on a familiar, everyday quality. Here, in the round dial of the watch, boldness becomes one of the superpowers of the timepiece.”
Functions and Operations

Image: Regulator style hours-minutes-seconds display.
Hours: Subdial at 12 o’clock.
Central minutes hand.
Seconds: Subdial at 6 o’clock.
All operations via the crown at 3 o’clock.
Dial

Image: Hours and seconds subdials are inspired by make-up palettes.
Dial is inspired by make-up palettes.
Features a “black polished lacquer dial with black transfers.”
Domed hours subdial at 12 o’clock is in a matt coral hue.
Domed seconds subdial at 6 o’clock is in a matt magenta shade.
Central minute hand is polished and features black PVD treatment.
Hour hand is lacquered in a matt coral hue.
Seconds hand is lacquered in a matt magenta shade.
“LOUIS ERARD” displayed at 3 o’clock and “SYLVIE FLEURY” at 9 o’clock.
Movement

Image: Sellita SW266-1 is a reliable movement, easily serviceable by a competent watchmaker. Louis Erard needs to improve movement decoration.
Powered by Sellita SW266-1, a mechanical automatic regulator style movement. It drives the hours, minutes, and seconds. According to online sources, the movement features a stop-second device for accurate time setting and date. Date not used in this model.
Movement diameter: 25.60 mm (11 ½ lignes). Thickness: 5.60 mm.
Jewels: 31. Frequency: 28,800 vph or 4 Hz.
Power reserve: Minimum 38 hours.
Case and Strap

Image: Well executed case. Black PVD treatment goes well with the black polished lacquer dial and the two make-up palette inspired subdials.
Case is made from polished stainless steel and features black PVD treatment.
Diameter: 39 mm.
Dial side features a domed sapphire crystal with dual-side anti-reflective treatment.
Caseback features a sapphire crystal. “Limited Edition 1 of 178” is engraved, along with standard watch text.
Water resistant up to 5 bars / 50 metres / 165 feet.
Watch comes with a “shiny black calf leather bracelet” featuring “black calf leather lining.” It is attached to a pin buckle featuring black PVD coating.
Our Thoughts
Louis Erard is an expert at collaborations. A few months ago, they unveiled the desirable Le Régulateur Louis Erard X Vianney Halter II, a regulator style hours-minutes-seconds watch in two dial versions. Who would imagine that few months later they would collaborate with a renowned artist to introduce a watch inspired by make-up palettes? The Régulateur Louis Erard X Sylvie Fleury Palette of Shadows proves that creativity exists in abundance for watch brands that seek it. Huge credit to Manuel Emch and his team at Louis Erard for doing so.

Image: A modern artwork on the wrist.
My hunch is that this watch might be polarising. Nevertheless, it remains a fantastic opportunity to acquire a watch that has the artistic concept of a renown artist miniaturised into its dial. It transforms the entire watch into a work of art itself. As a limited edition of 178 pieces, it could well be a future collectible.
Additional Details

Image: An example of creativity in watchmaking. Much needed.
Name: Régulateur Louis Erard X Sylvie Fleury Palette of Shadows
Reference: 85238NN42.BVAS89
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF): 3,900 (Excluding taxes)
Limited edition of 178 pieces.
Warranty: 3 years.
Please visit the Louis Erard website and Instagram page for more information.