Almost exactly a year after the inaugural limited edition designed by Alain Silberstein, Louis Erard has just unveiled its second collaboration, this time with Vianney Halter, the watchmaker best known for a unique, steampunk-inspired aesthetic.

Designed by Mr Halter and made by Louis Erard, the Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Vianney Halter is based on the Excellence Régulateur, but dressed up with many of the independent watchmaker’s signature design elements on the dial.

Initial thoughts

The dial is executed with the distinctive aesthetic found on Mr Halter’s best-known watches, namely the Antiqua and Classic – which were penned by American designer Jeff Barnes. Although the case and dial layout are identical to Louis Erard’s stock regulator model, the typography and hands of Mr Halter are unique enough to make it instantly recognisable.

As it is based on the standard model, the Régulateur Vianney Halter has the same strengths and weaknesses. Most obviously, it is affordable and good value, but the case is thick at a little over 12 mm high, meaning it feels slightly chunky.

Conceptually, this collaboration functioned exactly like the earlier one with Alain Silberstein, but it feels less complete because of the background of the collaborator.

While Mr Silberstein was always a watch designer, Mr Halter is well established as a watchmaker and known as a skilled prototypist. As a result, while the new watch possesses a recognisable Vianney Halter style – and it is an appealing look – it does not feel as complete as the Silberstein collaboration since Mr Halter’s contribution is aesthetics rather than something tangible.

Vianney Halter

Recognisable style

The dial is a two-level affair: an upper plate finished with a circular-brushed finish for the minute track, and a sandblasted lower plate for the hours and seconds. All of the markings on the dial are printed in Mr Halter’s signature typography.

And the hands are similarly done in Mr Halter’s style – shaped like the nib of a fountain pen – and made of blued steel, which is a first for Louis Erard.

Another element drawn from Mr Halter’s watches is the notched crown, which is modelled on the rivet-studded crown of the Antiqua and Classic.

The rest of the watch is identical to the stock Excellence Régulateur. The case is steel, 42 mm in diameter, and a fairly thick 12.25 mm high.

It has a display back revealing the Sellita SW266-1 movement, based on a clone of the ETA 2824. Louis Erard adds its own module onto the movement, resulting in the regulator-style display.

Key Facts and Price

Louis Erard Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Vianney Halter
Ref. 85237AA51

Diameter: 42 mm
Height: 12.25 mm
Material: Stainless steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 50 m

Movement: Sellita SW266-1
Functions: Hours, minutes, and seconds
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 38 hours

Strap: Calf leather with pin buckle

Limited edition: 178 pieces
Availability: Direct from Louis Erard and its retailers
Price: 3,500 Swiss francs before taxes

For more information, visit Louiserard.com.