Louis Erard is no stranger to creating affordable works of micro-art. Pieces like the Label Noir Régulateur and the brilliant La Sportive Limited Edition really resonate with the notion that you don't need to spend big to get big. And with three new references of its acclaimed Excellence Petite Seconde, Louis Erard has once again produced the ultimate flex in genuinely intriguing and all-round impressive watchmaking.
The three new models each feature a natural stone dial: midnight blue aventurine, forest green malachite, and morning blue lapis lazuli. Each dial is otherworldly, with each piece genuinely being a bona fide piece unique, giving the rarity and individualistic nature of using these precious stones.
First off we have the Excellence Petite Seconde Aventurine. This model, reference 34238AA32, features a midnight blue aventurine dial encased in 39mm of polished stainless steel that sits at 12.25mm in thickness. All three models feature the same case dimensions, along with Louis Erard's signature fir tree crown and caseback engraving depicting its limited edition nature. The aventurine dial is very reminiscent of a star-studded midnight sky, capped off with some very beautiful fir-shaped rhodium-plated hands and an oversized snailed small-seconds register at the bottom of the dial.
Next is the Excellence Petite Seconde Lapis-Lazuli reference 34238AA35. This model features a beautiful morning blue lapis lazuli dial, and out of the three is definitely my favourite. Like the Excellence Petite Seconde Aventurine, the Excellence Petite Seconde Lapis-Lazuli has a dial that is very much reminiscent of looking up at a night sky dotted with the bright lights of distant stars and galaxies. Albeit in a much lighter shade of blue.
And finally we have the Excellence Petite Seconde Malachite. The Excellence Petite Seconde Malachite reference 34238AA39 has a forest green malachite dial with a distinct horizontal pattern with lines in differing shades of green. This particular model is an interesting one and perhaps the most "Earthy" of the three.
Each model is strapped to a coloured calf leather strap matching the watch's dial. And each piece is powered by the automatic Sellita SW261-1 calibre with a power reserve of 38-hours, élaboré decorating and a special openworked rotor with a black lacquered Louis Erard symbol.
The Louis Erard Excellence Petite Seconde in each of its three variations is limited to only 99 pieces and is priced at an altogether very approachable 2,500CHF.