Editor’s note: Before we get to dive deep into the Watches & Wonders 2022 novelties, here’s our preview & Gut Reaction Review (Grr…) of the two new Louis Erard Excellence Petite Seconde Terracotta. For our detailed hands-on reviews, please head to our dedicated reviews section here. This is NOT a sponsored post.
Louis Erard recently announced the fantastic value proposition in the new Excellence Guilloché Main II. But shortly before that, they also released their first offering aimed at those with slim wrists, the 39mm new Louis Erard Excellence Petite Seconde Terracotta.
Under the artistic direction of Manuel Emch and inspired by the land of the Jura mountains where Louis Erard has its roots, the very subdued and restrained new Louis Erard Excellence Petite Seconde Terracotta takes vintage style cues, adds a couple of modern elements, and packages the “earth” for you to wear on your wrist.
Both the versions of the new Louis Erard Excellence Petite Seconde Terracotta feature a 50m water-resistant polished 12.25mm thick stainless steel case; both the versions retail for the same 1’950 CHF (~3’000 AUD) and only approx. 100-pieces of both variants will be produced every year. The similarities continue and inside both versions ticks the élaboré grade calibre SW261-1 which is an automatic winding measuring 25.6mm x 5.6mm.
The calibre SW261-1 comprises of 31 jewels, beats at the frequency of 4Hz (28’800 A/h), features hacking seconds, and provides a 38-hour power reserve. Louis Erard has decorated the movement that also features a special open-worked oscillating weight with Louis Erard symbol.
The only difference between the two versions of the new Louis Erard Excellence Petite Seconde Terracotta is in the case diameter and overall sizing; and this should a make big difference by broadening their client base.
The larger version ref. 34237AA07 measures 42mm in diameter with 49.6mm lug-to-lug, and features a 22mm lug interhorn spacing. The smaller version ref. 34238AA07 measures 39mm in diameter with 46.48mm lug-to-lug. It features the a 20mm lug interhorn spacing.
While the larger ref. 34237AA07 should work for those with both medium to large sized wrists, for those with slim wrists such as my ~16cm wrist, the smaller ref. 34238AA07 should fit like a charm.
For reference sake, the subdued and again almost earthy but in brown grey tones Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 925 measures the same 39mm in diameter, features slightly thicker 13.2mm case with a very similar but larger 47.2mm lug-to-lug spacing. The lug interhorn is again the same at 20mm. You can see in the image below how well it sits on my slim wrist, and hopefully this should give you some relative idea of how the 39mm Louis Erard Excellence Petite Seconde Terracotta will sit.
One of the most striking features about the new Excellence Petite Seconde Terracotta has to be that sunken and azurage execution of the sub-dial.
There is something about salmon coloured timepieces, that when executed nicely, they shine with a subtle glow. They also break the pattern of white, black, blue or green dialled watches one sees so often.
I also appreciate the clear vintage inspiration, and that the earthy tones of the matte terracotta dial are punctuated by the different levels, providing a sense of visual three-dimensional play.
The warmth of the dial is also nicely accentuated by anthracite transfers, glossy anthracite indexes, polished anthracite signature fir tree hands, and the dark brown Baranil calf leather with beige stitching.
To find out more about the new Louis Erard Excellence Petite Seconde Terracotta and their other watches, please head to their website here. All images unless otherwise stated are courtesy are ©2021 Louis Erard. All Rights Reserved.
