Neuchâtel, Switzerland
“We had the opportunity to work on selected parts of Le Régulateur for this limited edition and decided to focus mainly on the watch dial and arms,” say the Atelier’s founders.
The Switzerland-based studio Atelier oï collaborates with the Louis Erard and launches a celebratory Le Régulateur watch in a limited edition of 178 pieces.
“The main challenge was to find the best shape, angle, and depth of the engraving on the dial in order to get the perfect and desired light effect,” they continue.
“At this scale, the only way to go through the process was to prototype several dials with the final material and finishes in close collaboration with the manufacturer. Once the design was developed, we challenged Louis Erard by asking them to avoid any additional graphics, such as logo, index, or numbers, on the front side of the watch, in order to keep the design as minimalist as possible.”
The watch design is inspired by a sundial in the way it plays with light, with the asymmetrical facets engraved into the dial, creating a sense of continuous movement.
Matching the grey tone of the dial, the strap is made from grey Nubuck calf leather with tone-on-tone stitching and a polished stainless steel buckle. Functional catch spring bars allow the strap to be swapped quickly.
The hour and seconds hands of the Le Régulateur Louis Erard x atelier oï, located at 12 and 6 o’clock respectively, are also situated on the central axis and are the departure point for the engraved lines fanning out from their center.
The polished segments engraved against the matte background emanate like sunrays adding depth and volume to the two-dimensional surface.
But, like any good design, there is a method in the creativity, and there are sixty segments on the peripheral minutes’ track with a more pronounced line every five minutes.
“While the reflections of light don’t show the time as a classical sundial, metaphorically the watch shows us the continuous passage of time through the effects of light,” the team adds.
“The aim was to enable the perfect combination between the user’s movement, the light source provided by the sun, and – last but not least – time.”
“The result is a surface engraved with asymmetrical rays, which reveal reflections and contrasts – echoing the passion of the members of Atelier Oï for the material and the play of light,” they say.
“The art of engraving is being expressed here in its essence: drawn lines. These lines create a space, to which the hands add the dimension of time.”
Project: Le Régulateur by Atelier oï
Architects/Designers: Atelier oï
Manufacturer: Louis Erand
Photographers: Courtesy of Louis Erand
