Dedicated to the sports spirit, the new Louis Erard La Sportive timepieces are the ultimate proposition for anyone who wants it all in a chronograph watch: precision, reliability, readability, technical achievement, elegance and exclusiveness. These watches, each released in a limited series of 250 examples, establish a new standard of watchmaking excellence in keeping with the approach taken by Louis Erard beginning in 1929: to offer high-quality timepieces at ultra-competitive prices.
Let’s begin with the material of the case – in grade 5 titanium or bronze –, which plays on extremes to bring each of these four editions a distinctiveness reserved to exceptional watches. Grade 5 titanium is the material of predilection in the most demanding fields of application: aeronautics, medicine and sports. Wherever there is a pursuit of an optimal rapport between lightness and solidity and between comfort and durability; and the need for resistance against shocks, chemicals, and corrosion. 30% harder and 60% lighter than steel, it is both anallergic and anti- magnetic. And let us mention its aesthetic qualities, emphasized by the contrast between satin-finished and polished surfaces. But few watchmaking brands seek to attain this level of excellence.
Bronze also offers flawless resistance to wear, but it has the particularity of oxidizing and taking on a patina that brings a unique character to each watch, imprinting the surface of each one with the memories of irreplaceable moments in life.
The watch cases are topped with an extra-domed sapphire glass coated with an anti-reflective treatment, emphasizing the neo- vintage character of the smoked dials available in four shades: earth, fir trees, sky and mist, four hues that evoke the Jura, the birthplace of Louis Erard. The brown and green versions are nestled in bronze cases. The blue and black versions are coordinated with grade 5 titanium.
All the timepieces are equipped with an insert bezel featuring a tachymeter crafted in fade-resistant, scratch-resistant black ceramic to match the black minute, hours and small seconds counters. Technically speaking, each one is driven by a Valjoux 7750 calibre, the most tried-and-true movement of all traditional Swiss chronograph watches. The back of the watch is transparent, revealing the inner movement and self-rewinding weight, which have been redesigned and openworked in a resolutely sporty spirit.
The space between the lugs has been slightly enlarged, reinforcing the contemporary character of these watches. The straps are crafted in vintage calfskin and topped with a new clasp, an innovative titanium folding buckle that does not require the leather to be punctured.
A unique concentration of technical and aesthetic advantages for prices that are just as competitive: CHF 2,950 for the bronze version and CHF 3,250 for the grade 5 titanium version.
Louis Erard La Sportive
TITANIUM VERSION:
Recommended retail price: CHF 3,250
Movement Automatic chronograph, ETA 7750 Valjoux, 131⁄4’’’, Ø30.00 mm, height: 7.90 mm, 25 jewels, 28,800 VpH (4Hz). Élaboré grade, movement with specially decorated oscillating weight + Louis Erard engraving. Around 48 hours of power reserve
Functions HMS + chronograph + day/date
Time: central hour and minute hands, small seconds counter at 9:00, day/date at 3:00 Chronograph: central 60-second counter, 30-minute counter at 12:00, 12-hour counter at 6:00
Case Satin-finished/high polished grade 5 titanium, Ø44 mm, thickness: 15 mm, 3 pieces, bezel with black ceramic insert, extra- domed sapphire crystal with transparent anti-reflective treatment, screwed case back, élaboré grade movement visible through the transparent case back, water-resistant up to a pressure of 5 bars (50 m/165 ft)
Dial Shaded off grey/black or blue/black, sunburst satin finish, white transfers, indexes coated with Super-LumiNova, black counters, day/date at 3:00
Hands Hour and minute hands coated with Super-LumiNova for easier readability in the dark, white chronograph and small seconds hands
Strap Vintage brown or black calfskin with ecru stitching, black leather lining, titanium folding clasp
BRONZE VERSION:
Recommended retail price: CHF 2,950.
Case CuSn8 satin-finished/high polished bronze, Ø44 mm, thickness: 15 mm, 3 pieces, bezel with black ceramic insert, extra-domed, sapphire crystal with transparent anti-reflective treatment, screwed grade 5 titanium case back, élaboré grade movement visible through the transparent case back, water-resistant up to a pressure of 5 bars (50 m/165 ft)
Dial Shaded off brown/black or green/black, sunburst satin finish, white transfers, indexes coated with Super-LumiNova, black counters, day/date at 3:00
Hands Hour and minute hands coated with Super-LumiNova for easier readability in the dark, 4N PVD chronograph and small seconds hands
Strap Vintage brown or black calfskin with ecru stitching, black leather lining, titanium folding clasp
