SpotlightArtistic Expression In Black: Introducing Le Régulateur Louis Erard X Olivier Mosset

Time and time again, Louis Erard have shown how fascinating a regulator watch can be with their Le Régulateur series under the brand’s Excellence collection. From statements about mechanical watches coexisting with smart watches, to monstrous ‘time-eaters’, Louis Erard’s Le Régulateur series exhibits successful collaborations with independent watchmakers, architects and artists. Most of these alliances have been with Swiss experts, with each bringing their own vision to the collaborative timepieces. And in each of these timepieces, Louis Erard’s regulator timepiece has developed an identity of its own. The latest Louis Erard collaboration is with Arizona-based Swiss artist Olivier Mosset, whose minimalist style has been described as one with ‘nothing left to see’. An all-black timepiece, the Le Régulateur Louis Erard X Olivier Mosset is a minimalistic and monochromatic piece of art. With only the shimmer of silver glitter that stands out on the non coaxial dial, this minimalistic watch that makes a ‘radical’ statement is limited to only 178 pieces.

Olivier Mosset And The Black Circle Theory

Mosset’s intent with his art in the 1960s and 70s was to re-establish the ideas of what constitutes a painting. He painted over 200 white canvases with a single black circle, eventually being known as—and admired for being—a ‘radical’ in the world of art. The Louis Erard X Olivier Mosset regulator timepiece is just as radical as the artist, with three black hands, each rotating on its own axis, against a glittering black dial.

There are no markers or indexes, or text of any kind on the dial of the Louis Erard X Olivier Mosset watch. The three hands have the same geometric shape and size, unlike other regulator watches. The only way to tell the black PVD-treated hours, minutes and seconds hands apart is by the sizes of the holes on their tips—at 12 o’clock, the one with the largest hole, is the hours hand, the smallest hole indicates the seconds hand at six o’clock, and the central hand, with a medium-sized hole, is for minutes.

There are no markers or indexes, or text of any kind on the dial of the Louis Erard X Olivier Mosset timepiece. The three hands have the same geometric shape and size

The only way to tell the black PVD-treated hours, minutes and seconds hands apart is by the sizes of the holes on their tips

At 12 o’clock, the one with the largest hole, is the hours hand. The smallest hole indicates the seconds hand at six, and the central hand is for minutes

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A Radical Blank Black Statement By Olivier Mosset 

The 42mm case is made from sand-blasted stainless steel, treated with black PVD. Short, curved lugs feature the same treatment and aid ergonomics on the timepiece. A fir shaped crown is perhaps the only indication that this is a Louis Erard watch—the brand have a distinct bevelled crown inspired by fir trees, a reference to the brand’s home in the Swiss Jura mountains. On turning the watch over, a darkened sapphire crystal caseback reveals the Sellita SW266-1 calibre, an automatic regulator movement, with a power reserve of 38 hours.

A fir shaped crown is perhaps the only indication that this is a Louis Erard watch, a reference to the brand’s home in the Swiss Jura mountains. On turning the watch over, a darkened sapphire crystal caseback reveals the Sellita SW266-1 calibre, an automatic regulator movement, with a power reserve of 38 hours

Completing the all-black aesthetic of the Le Régulateur Louis Erard X Olivier Mosset are the two black Baranil calfskin leather straps presented with the timepiece. One of these straps is decorated with Olivier Mosset’s signature. The watch also comes with a tongue-in-cheek message delivered on a red tag: ‘work of art—do not wear’. Don’t worry though, the Louis Erard X Olivier Mosset regulator timepiece is extremely wearable. Especially for those who love regulator watches or for those who want to make a statement.

Completing the all black aesthetic of the Le Regulateur Louis Erard X Olivier Mosset watch are two black Baranil calfskin leather straps presented with the timepiece. The watch also comes with a tongue-in-cheek message delivered on a red tag: ‘work of art—do not wear’