Louis Erard has introduced the Le Régulateur Gravé Bleu, a regulator style hours-minutes-seconds watch with a 1930’s inspired sector dial featuring “traditional engraving techniques.” It joins the brand’s permanent collection as part of the Noirmont Métiers d’Art line.
The Noirmont collection includes the classic Noirmont model, Noirmont Métiers d’Art line, and Noirmont X for collaborations. The recently launched Régulateur Louis Erard X Sylvie Fleury Palette of Shadows belongs to the Noirmont X line. Noirmont is named after Le Noirmont (Canton of Jura), Switzerland, the brand’s headquarters since 1992.
“This watch embodies the perfect expression of what Louis Erard stands for. A complex dial in its simplest form. Stripping down the visual and technical elements to their essence, to the purest aesthetic, while bringing greater depth to the details and adding value to both design and craftsmanship.” – Manuel Emch, Delegate Member of the Board and CEO of Louis Erard
Key Features
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
Images: Incredible dial details. I love the fir tree shaped hands.
“Grained blue base dial.”
The baton-shaped hour-markers, numbers (15, 45 and 12), outer railroad track, hour and minute circles and their markers, and inner semi-circles are engraved on the dial and rhodium plated.
The hour, minute, and seconds hands are fir tree shaped, and rhodium plated.
Image: The blue dial and rhodium elements contrast well with the polished stainless steel case.
“The sector dial, emblematic of 1930s watchmaking, is reimagined here by Louis Erard for the first time. On a finely grained dial, engraving creates a subtle play of reliefs through a brilliant galvanic treatment. This technical and aesthetic precision highlights the key elements: time segmentation, optimized readability, concentric circles, and a railway track motif. The design, true to the “neovintage” spirit, captures the essence of the past while asserting a unique modernity that is distinctly Louis Erard.”
Movement
Image: Sellita SW266-1 is a reliable movement, easily serviceable by a competent watchmaker. Automatic winding rotor features the brand’s logo in black lacquer.
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: Approximately 38 hours.
Case and Strap
Image: A versatile watch, one that can be paired with straps of different colours and materials.
Case is made from polished stainless steel.
Diameter: 39 mm. Thickness: 12.82 mm. Lug width: 20 mm. Lug to lug distance: 45.90 mm.
Dial side features a domed sapphire crystal with dual-side anti-reflective treatment.
Caseback features a sapphire crystal, engraved with typical watch text.
Image: “Signature fir tree crown” at 3 o’clock. Brand’s logo embossed on the crown.
Water resistant up to 5 bars / 50 metres / 165 feet.
Watch comes with a “light grey grained calf leather bracelet with tone-on-tone stitching” featuring “black grained calf leather lining.” It is fitted to a pin buckle made from polished stainless steel. It features ergot bars for quick interchangeable strap change.
Our Thoughts
The mention of “regulator style display” and “Métiers d’Art” conjures up images of watches from a handful brands costing upwards of CHF 80K and more. Louis Erard, renowned for its creativity, collaborations, and accessible watchmaking, combines both a regulator style display and a type of Métiers d’Art dial for just under CHF 3K.
Image: Chic and casual. Just perfect.
The Le Régulateur Gravé Bleu’s combination of a beautiful vintage inspired sector dial (I love sector dials), perfect proportions, versatility, and an accessible price tag appeal to me a lot. It is a compelling addition in almost any collection. Louis Erard watches are perfect for those looking to buy their first real watch. I look forward to seeing the Le Régulateur Gravé Bleu in the flesh and doing a hands-on review.
Additional Details
Name: Le Régulateur Gravé Bleu
Reference: 85248AA15.BVA159
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF): 2,900 (excluding tax)
Part of Louis Erard’s permanent collection.
Please visit the Louis Erard website and Instagram page for more information.
