atural colours and matt textures - the new version of the Louis Erard Excellence Petite Seconde lives up to its name: Terracotta. A combination of the warmth of the south and the softness of a Franches-Montagnes trail, home of Louis Erard watches. A long-awaited evolution, the Excellence Petite Seconde Terracotta is available in two sizes, the traditional 42 mm case and its refined 39 mm counterpart. In a limited production of approximately 100 pieces per year by reference.

The model is in line with the natural materials used in the Excellence triptych, in particular the use of stone, aventurine, lapis lazuli and malachite dials. It is no longer a question of stone, but of earth, of terracotta. A choice reminiscent of certain classic creations of the 1950s, but in a very contemporary vintage rendering, which once again underlines Louis Erard’s desire to mix genres and make fine watchmaking accessible, under the artistic direction of Manuel Emch.

Variations of semitones and shades. No shine, no burst of light breaks the muffled accords. The monochrome dial brings out the subtleties of the design, contrasting the circular satin finish on the fine grain of the centre and minute track sections.

There is no highlighting neither on the hands, nor on the indexes, which cast their delicate shadows on the dial like a forest in the softness of a white sun. The signature fir tree hands are treated in anthracite grey and polished. Matching transfers and indexes, also in anthracite grey.

The watch is completed with a dark brown Baranil calf leather strap. With polished stainless steel pin buckle and functional catch spring bars enabling the strap to be changed quickly.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Movement Automatic, Sellita SW261-1 calibre, 3 hands with small seconds at 6 o’clock, 11½’’’, Ø25.60 mm, height: 5.60 mm, 31 jewels, 28.800 VpH(4Hz), élaboré grade movement, special openworked oscillating weight with Louis Erard symbol, approx. 38 hours of power reserve

Functions HMS Central hour and minute hands, secondhand at 6 o’clock

Case Polished stainless steel, Ø42 mm, lug width: 22 mm, lug to lug: 49.60 mm, thickness: 12.25 mm, 3 pieces, domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides, movement visible through the transparent caseback, water-resistant up to a pressure of 5 bars (50 m/165 ft), signature fir tree crown

Dial Matt terracotta with circular satin-finished zone, snailed counter at 6 o’clock with diamond-cut area, anthracite transfers, glossy anthracite indexes

Hands Polished anthracite signature fir tree hands

Strap Dark brown Baranil calf leather with beige stitching, polished stainless steel pin buckle, functional catch spring bars enabling the strap to be changed quickly