Jewellery & Watch News
As you’ve probably guessed, we love crystals, minerals and gemstones here at C W Sellors (we are a proud British jeweller after all!), so when we heard that Louis Erard’s latest release was going to incorporate three unique stones and artisanal glass, we couldn’t wait to get our hands on them. Let’s take a look at the new Louis Erard Excellence Régulateur Aventurine, Lapis Lazuli and Malachite Limited Edition watches…
Since gemstones are placed so closely near our hearts, we wanted to focus today’s review almost entirely on the dials of each Louis Erard Excellence Régulateur Aventurine, Lapis Lazuli and Malachite watch, but before we get into that, here are some of the other key specs you may want to know about the releases. First things first, they sit on the wrist at 42 millimetres in diameter and are engineered from classic polished stainless steel. They promise a water resistance of 50 metres and boast sapphire crystal glass to protect both the dial and the movement displayed through the case back. The movement in question is the élaboré grade Sellita SW266-1 automatic winding movement. It boasts 31 jewels, a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and a power reserve of 38 hours all while powering the retrograde display for the hours, minutes and seconds.
Louis Erard’s Excellence Retrograde series has become somewhat of a flagship for the brand, noted by its unique layout for the hours, minutes and seconds. The same can be said for each of the 99-piece limited edition Louis Erard Excellence Régulateur Aventurine, Lapis Lazuli and Malachite watches which feature two snailed opaline counters overlapping each other. The 12 o’clock counter displays the hours and the 6 o’clock showcases the seconds. At the centre, the large signature fir-tree shaped hand provides the minutes. Now you know what each design has in common, let’s get into what separates them: their dials and straps…
Louis Erard Excellence Régulateur Aventurine Limited Edition Watch (85237AA32.BVA36)
Taking its name from the Italian word “Aventura” which means adventure, Aventurine is the gorgeous dark navy material found at the centre of the Louis Erard Excellence Régulateur Aventurine Limited Edition. However, rather than being the quartz or feldspar variant many often confuse it with, the dial is handcrafted from aventurine glass, a material first created by Venetian glass blowers in the 17th century. Today, it still holds a celestial allure with an aesthetic reminiscent of a dark night sky detailed with a presence of platy mineral inclusions that give it a shimmering or glistening effect just like that of stars. To match the dial, the Louis Erard Excellence Régulateur Aventurine watch is fitted with a dark navy calf nubuck leather strap.
Louis Erard Excellence Régulateur Lapis Lazuli Limited Edition Watch (85237AA35.BVA35)
While the Aventurine reference evokes the night sky, the Louis Erard Excellence Régulateur Lapis Lazuli Limited Edition brings to light the early dawn with a gorgeous rich blue centre handcrafted from the lapis lazuli gemstone. Lapis is another beautiful opaque stone that boasts deep, celestial blue tones and has been mined since the early seventh millennium BC. It is famously known for being used by royal figures like Tutankhamun who had Lapis set around the eyes of his funeral mask to imitate the kohl makeup he would wear, while Queen Cleopatra was thought to have used powdered lapis for eye shadow. In the Louis Erard Excellence Régulateur Lapis Lazuli watch, the stone features beautiful silicate inclusions of a gold hue and pairs with a matching blue calfskin leather strap.
Louis Erard Excellence Régulateur Malachite Limited Edition Watch (85237AA39.BVA37)
Contrasting to the blue dials of its counterparts, the Louis Erard Excellence Régulateur Malachite Limited Edition stands out drastically with its mesmerising forest green centre which has been brushed by German artist Gerhard Richter. Malachite is a stone widely associated with positive energy and was used widely in the luxury watchmaking industry during the 1970’s. Today, it’s lively and colourful banded appearance is revived in the Louis Erard Excellence Régulateur Malachite watch and paired with a matching emerald green leather band. Like it’s two brothers, the dial is completely hand crafted and so each 99 piece limited edition will be entirely unique.
If you’d like to learn more about the new Louis Erard Excellence Régulateur Aventurine, Lapis Lazuli and Malachite watches and order your own, you can find them on 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.
