Jewellery & Watch News
Following the success of the Swiss watch manufacturer’s first enamel-dialled watch, the Grand Feu I, the brand now unveil their second instalment. Suitably named the Louis Erard Excellence Email Grand Feu II, the release delivers yet another extraordinary enamel dial this time with touches of red and blue alongside a versatile 39mm case.
Over the past couple of years, we have witnessed Louis Erard entrust their Excellence collection to designers like Alain Silberstein, Eric Giroud and watchmaker Vianney Halter who have taken the daily dress watch aesthetic and transformed it with refined decorative techniques. Despite the sophisticated processes involved within each piece, Louis Erard have still managed to maintain their affordable philosophy allowing those of us with more limited funds to enjoy the true genius of some of the world’s best manufacturers. For the new Louis Erard Excellence Email Grand Feu II watch, the Swiss watch brand assigns the creation of the dial to Donzé Cadrans, a reputed firm who specialises in the creation of high-end enamel dials.
While the original Louis Erard Excellence Grand Feu watch of last year boasted a warm cream-coloured centrepiece with blue numerals, the new Grand Feu II watch opts for a crisp white finish set with a combination of blue Roman numerals and a single red XII numeral at 12 o’clock to match the red accented small seconds dial at 6 o’clock. Like before, all the colours showcased on the dial require separate turns in the kiln at temperature over 800°C and it requires great skill to avoid any small mistakes. Each dial is done one at a time with the copper base dusted with enamel powder before being placed in the furnace. The process is repeated, entirely by hand, until the right thickness is attained and under close inspection to ensure no cracks or bubbles form under the heat. Due to the complex process of making enamel dials, the Louis Erard Excellence Email Grand Feu II watch is limited to just 99 pieces.
Completing the Grand Feu enamel dial is three fir-tree shaped hands, two at the centre for the hours and minutes and a third on the small seconds dial. The shape of the hands are characteristic for much of the Louis Erard Excellence collection, taking inspiration from the shape of the trees around the village of Le Noirmont, the Swiss town Louis Erard calls home. The hands are also painted blue to match the other blue accents on the dial while the new shade of red makes its way across the strap. The strap of the Louis Erard Excellence Email Grand Feu II watch is handcrafted from red grained calfskin leather and features two blue stitches near the lugs and a polished stainless steel buckle.
For the case of the limited edition Louis Erard Excellence Email Grand Feu II watch, you’ll find much of the same specifications as similar 39mm Excellence watches with a slender stainless steel case with a diameter of 39mm and a height of 12.25mm. The familiar crown is placed at 3 o’clock engraved with triangular-shaped knurled detailing to evoke the same fir trees and on top, domed sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective coating provides protection and easy legibility of the enamel dial beneath.
Turning the Louis Erard Excellence Email Grand Feu II watch over and the sapphire crystal glass back reveals the mechanical movement housed within. The movement in question is the Sellita SW261-1 automatic calibre which alongside hours, minutes and seconds delivers 31 jewels, a frequency of 28,800vph and a power reserve of 38 hours. The rotor is also neatly decorated with openwork detailing and a black lacquered Louis Erard monogram.
If you’d like to learn more about the Louis Erard Excellence Email Grand Feu II watch and get your hands on one of the 99 limited edition pieces for yourself, head over to the C W Sellors website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at sales@cwsellors.com.
Specifications:
- Case Size: 39mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Case Back: Exhibition
- Crown: Non-screw locked
- Water Resistance: 50 metres
- Movement: Sellita SW 261-1 automatic
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
- Jewels: 31
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: White Grand Feu enamel with red and blue accents, blued fir tree hands
- Strap: Red grained calfskin with blue stitches
- Buckle: Pin, stainless steel
- RRP: £3,400
- Limited Edition: 99 pieces
