Louis Erard continues its odyssey at the heart of métiers d’art with Grand Feu enamel. A new interpretation of this exclusive craft already explored in 2021, which returns in a contemporary classic with subtlety. With some touches of red and, for the first time, in a 39 mm case.
Every colour you see on a watch requires processing in a kiln at more than 800°C. This dial has three colours: white for the background, Louis Erard blue indexes, and flashes of red on the XII at 12 o‘clock and on some of the lines of the small seconds at six o'clock. For every kiln process, there are hours of preparation, not to mention the risk of something not going to plan. The artisan's dexterity changes nothing: you cannot play with fire with impunity and, despite an expert touch, the high level of waste is irreducible.
When everything goes well, the result is total. The quality of a Grand Feu enamel dial is unsurpassable. Deposited in small layers of silica, oxides and potassium, the colours are fixed forever, permanently bonded to their metal base. It is an almost alchemical art that goldsmiths were practising 1,500 years ago, when this was the only way to dye metal until the invention of synthetic lacquers, and which traditional watchmaking has kept alive through the centuries.
Model: Excellence Émail Grand Feu II Limited Edition of 99. Functions: Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Central hour and minute hands, second hand at 6 o’clock Material: Polished stainless steel Caseback: See Through Glass: Domed Sapphire Crystal with anti-glare Dimensions: 39mm Dial: White Grand Feu enamel, made in the traditional way by Donzé Cadrans S.A., counter at 6 o'clock, blue and red enamelled transfers. Lume: No Calibre: SellitaSW261-1 Automatic, three hands with small seconds at 6 o'clock, élaborégrade movement, special openwork oscillating weight with Louis Erard symbol Power Reserve: 38 Hours Water Resistance: 5 ATM Bracelet/Strap: Red grained calf leather with blue stitching, blue grained calf leather lining, polished stainless steel pin buckle, functional catch spring bars enabling the strap to be changed quickly Manufactured: Switzerland
