Louis Erard has unveiled the Le Régulateur Louis Erard X Vianney Halter II, a regulator style hours-minutes-seconds watch. It is the brand’s second collaboration with Vianney Halter, a French born, Swiss based, world-renowned independent watchmaker. It is available in two dial versions, one a retail exclusive and the other an e-commerce exclusive, both limited to 178 pieces each.
“Creating with Vianney is about friendship and defying limits. This piece is a true joint endeavor! It’s got the Steampunk rivets, the off-center dials, as well as bold, intricate details that leave nothing untouched. A watch with all the independent Haute Horlogerie codes… yet still within reach, bold enough to stand out, yet made to be worn every day. With Vianney, it all started with a lucky pocket call in a ski gondola, serendipity that led to something extraordinary.” – Manuel Emch, Delegate Member of the Board and CEO of Louis Erard.
Left: Vianney Halter. Right: Manuel Emch.
Key design elements of the Le Régulateur Louis Erard X Vianney Halter II
- It features Vianney Halter’s steampunk roots, inspired by the legendary Antiqua.
- A retro-futuristic industrial aesthetic, such as red-gilded rivets on the bezel and crown. They are evocative of industrial machines.
- A deconstructed aesthetic, such as asymmetrical subdials and an offset crown at 2 o’clock.
- Blued steel hands, a design feature of both Louis Erard and Vianney Halter.
- Haute horology finishes, such as polished and diamond-cut angles, and circular and vertical satin brushed finishes.
- It features raised dial elements and the Halter font, as a tribute to Vianney Halter.
Image: Vianney Halter Antiqua of 1998. A revolutionary perpetual calendar watch. Design elements of Le Régulateur Louis Erard X Vianney Halter II are inspired by the Antiqua. (Image credit: Vianney Halter website.)
Key Features
Image: E-commerce exclusive version.
Functions
Hours – larger subdial at 11 o’clock.
Central minutes hand.
Seconds – smaller subdial at 5 o’clock.
Dial
Both dials are designed by Vianney Halter, highlighting his “artistic identity.”
Image: Dial closeup of Retail exclusive version showcasing “Vianney Halter signature hands” and red-gilt 5N rivets on the bezel.
Retail exclusive
Dial features a red-gilt 5N base with a vertical satin-brushed finish.
Hours subdial (11 o’clock), seconds subdial (5 o’clock), and outer-minute ring are rhodium plated, and feature a circular satin-brushed finish and diamond polished chamfers.
Hours, minutes, and seconds hands are “Vianney Halter signature hands” and made from blued steel.
Both brands’ logos feature on the dial. Louis Erard at 2 o’clock, and Vianney Halter at 8 o’clock.
Black markings are transferred to the dial.
E-commerce exclusive
Dial features a rhodium plated base with a vertical satin-brushed finish.
Hours subdial (11 o’clock), seconds subdial (5 o’clock), and outer-minute scale are red-gilt 5N, and feature a circular satin-brushed finish and diamond polished chamfers.
Hours, minutes, and seconds hands are “Vianney Halter signature hands” and made from blued steel.
Both brands’ logos feature on the dial. Louis Erard at 2 o’clock, and Vianney Halter at 8 o’clock.
Black markings are transferred to the dial.
Case and Strap
3-part case made from stainless steel, polished and circular satin-brushed.
Case diameter: 43 mm. Case thickness: 10.95 mm. Lug width: 22 mm. Lug to lug distance: 49.60 mm.
Bezel features 12 polished red-gilt 5N rivets.
“Vianney Halter signature crown” at 2 o’clock features 24 red-gilt 5N rivets.
Image: “Vianney Halter signature crown” with 24 red-gilt 5N rivets.
Dial and caseback feature a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides.
Caseback features engraving: “Louis ERARD x Vianney HALTER” and “Limited Edition 1 of 178.”
Water resistant up to 5 bars / 50 metres / 165 feet.
Both the retail exclusive and e-commerce exclusive versions come with a vintage style dark brown grained calf leather strap featuring tone-on-tone stitching and black grained calf leather lining. Strap is attached to a polished stainless steel pin buckle. Strap features “functional catch spring bars” for quick strap change.
Movement
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.
Movement features an openworked automatic-winding rotor with the Louis Erard symbol in black lacquer.
Our Thoughts
Louis Erard makes interesting watches at (relatively) affordable prices. Watches that are welcome in almost any collection, whether beginner or most sophisticated. It’s a huge deal when they collaborate with Vianney Halter, one of the world’s greatest independent watchmakers.
Whether you choose the retail exclusive or e-commerce exclusive version, CHF 4,444 gets you a watch whose dial is designed by Vianney Halter, an enjoyable conversation starter at watch GTG’s! Not to mention that the design of the dial itself is inspired by the Antiqua, among the legendary watches of our times.
Both versions are great looking and might have added appeal for collectors who appreciate regulator style displays. Based on images and supporting information, my favorite is the e-commerce exclusive version. We cannot wait to see either version in the flesh and do a hands-on review.
Additional Details
Name: Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Vianney Halter II
Reference: 85246AA03.BVA172
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF): 4,444 (Excluding taxes)
Retail exclusive. Limited edition of 178 pieces.
Warranty: 3 years.
Name: Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Vianney Halter II
Reference: 85246AA02.BVA172
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF): 4,444 (Excluding taxes)
E-commerce exclusive. Limited edition of 178 pieces.
Warranty: 3 years.
Please visit the Louis Erard website and Instagram page for more information.
