Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Cédric Johner Purple ref. 85249AA02.BVA153

THE PEARL OF WATCHMAKING ART

Louis Erard’s latest collaboration represents a new stage in the exploration of contemporary haute horlogerie. This time, the collaboration with watchmaker and jeweler Cédric Johner reaches new heights of craftsmanship, as he personally hand-decorates the oscillating weight of each movement. With an elegant 39-millimeter case available in two captivating variants – blue and mauve – this limited edition consists of two meticulously crafted series of 178 pieces each.

This is how a watch becomes a message. Better still, a symbol. The very image of sharing. Louis Erard has made a habit of opening up the field of vision of contemporary watchmaking, by inviting architects, artists, craftsmen and independent watchmakers. This new collaboration with Geneva-based Cédric Johner is at the crossroads of all these paths.

Cédric Johner practices, in his own words, “intuitive watchmaking”. In other words, he makes his watches without a blueprint. He makes the first component, then the next, which will fit together. And so on, until the finished, decorated watch. Watch after watch, one at a time, on demand, a few units a year. He often starts with existing movements. He loves old mechanisms. He chooses them for the balance of their architecture, for their condition. Then he dismantles, restores, decorates and reassembles them. He then moves on to trimming, which he makes in his workshop, by hand, from raw or barely shaped metal, which he manufactures on conventional machines. No blueprints, no computer assistance.

He works alone. And with his two hands, he can do anything. How does he do it? This is the story of Cédric Johner. An outstanding craftsman, he has lived through all the changes in the industry and practiced every trade. His career began with an apprenticeship as a jeweler with Chopard. He then trained as a watchmaker. But it was practice that taught him everything. He takes advantage of every opportunity and every encounter to learn.

He set up his own business as soon as he finished his apprenticeship. Putting himself at the customer’s service, he creates made-to-measure pieces. Jewelry, bracelets, cases, complete watches. One day, in the 1990s, he took the plunge and made his first watch, for himself. He designed a case that he named Abyss. A unique design. One of its distinctive features is the hexagonal opening of the dial. On this basis, he indulged in all kinds of variations, from three hands to grand complications. He develops his own decorations, using traditional machines like his pearl tapestry made with a perloir, a pure jeweler’s tool.
He was missing one thing: creating a less exclusive piece, not reserved for collectors, but without making concessions and retaining all the signatures of his art.

It was at this point that Manuel Emch, both Artistic Director and CEO of Louis Erard, contacted Cédric Johner. Having already established a mutual understanding and shared values, their meeting was more like a reunion. Their handshake symbolized a bridge between two distinct worlds: that of artistic watches and that of refined, accessible watchmaking. And so the partnership was born. Their shared vision can be summed up in a few words: to create a limited series that exudes the refinement of a bespoke piece, without compromising on quality or craftsmanship.

The awaited unveiling has arrived. Introducing Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Cédric Johner, presented in two exquisite variations: one adorned with a captivating blue dial, the other in a striking mauve hue. Limited to two editions, each comprising 178 meticulously crafted pieces. All the signatures are present. Louis Erard’s, the Excellence case, the spruce crown, the regulator caliber. And the inimitable essence of Cédric Johner, the embodiment of unrivalled expertise. The extreme sophistication of the dial, with its engraved guilloché decoration and concave turned hour and minute counters for contrast and volume. The iconic hexagonal bezel opening adds to its distinctive allure. The automatic movement, meticulously decorated by the expert hand of Cédric Johner with 230 pearls meticulously placed one by one, oscillating weight by oscillating weight, on the premises of his workshop, bears witness to this.

Together, we’re always stronger.