Having debuted the first Alain Silberstein collaboration two years ago, Louis Erard is now back with a trio of watches conceived by the designer known for his Bauhaus-inspired, offbeat style – the Le Triptyque Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein.

Featuring a titanium case with unusual fixed lugs that form a frame, the watches are rendered in Mr Silberstein’s recognisable style made up of geometric shapes and primary colours. The three are essentially Mr Silberstein’s interpretation of the traditionally-styled Excellence Triptych that Louis Erard debuted last year.

Available individually or in a box set accompanied by a Silberstein NFT artwork, the watches are priced affordably, starting at CHF3,500 for the time-and-date and rising to just CHF4,500 for the single-button chronograph.

Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein II

Initial thoughts

The Alain Silberstein triptych is easy to like. The watches have a distinctive, cheery style while being accessible in price. They are simple in construction and finish – the movements, for instance, are reliable but not much to look at – but appropriate for the price and still good value.

Although the design is entirely new, the case retains the character of Alain Silberstein’s original timepieces, as do the dials. That said, the shape of the hands doesn’t help legibility so it takes a while to read the time.

And although La Semaine is the base model in the line up, it has the bonus feature of Mr Silberstein’s amusing “Smileday” indicator for the day of the week.

Smile, it’s Friday

Titanium and brancard

All three watches share the same titanium case, a tall cylinder that’s 40 mm in diameter (though the chronograph is a bit thicker) with brancard-style lugs – two arched bars on either side the case that hold the strap.

Unusually, the watches are delivered on a nylon strap with a Velcro closure, a first for Louis Erard. The nylon strap is secured to the case with end links that incorporate a quick-release mechanism, making replacement with a conventional strap easy.

While chunky, the case is titanium, which makes it fairly light. All three models have a display back that reveals the movement that’s either Sellita or ETA. Both movements types are equally reliable, but neither has been dressed up.

The ETA 2836 inside the La Semaine

The range starts with the La Semaine Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein, which shows the time, day, and date. Priced the same, but slightly more interesting mechanically is the Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein II that shows the hours, minutes, and seconds on separate sub-dials, a layout known as regulator after the clocks with the same format.

La Semaine

Le Régulateur

The top of the line model is the Le Chrono Monopoussoir Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein. It’s a chronograph controlled by a red button that’s co-axial with the crown, but the button is unfortunately plastic.

Like Louis Erard’s standard mono-pusher chronograph, this has a 30-minute register at 12 o’clock, along with an elapsed central seconds hand.

Le Chrono Monopoussoir

Each of the watches will be available individually, but also together as an actual triptych. Priced about CHF400 less than the total of the three separately, the three-piece set is delivered in a wood box along with an NFT digital artwork illustrated by Mr Silberstein.

Key Facts and Price

La Semaine Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein 
Ref. 75357TT02.BTT88

Diameter: 40 mm
Height: 11.6 mm
Material: Titanium
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 100 m

Movement: ETA 2826-2
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, and “Smileday” day of the week
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 38 hours

Strap: Nylon with velcro closure

Limited edition: 178 pieces (78 of which will be sold as a box set)

Availability: Direct from Louis Erard online
Price: 3,500 Swiss francs

Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein II
Ref. 85358TT02.BTT88

Diameter: 40 mm
Height: 11.6 mm
Material: Titanium
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 100 m

Movement: SW266-1
Functions: Hours, minutes, and seconds in regulator layout
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 38 hours

Strap: Nylon with velcro closure

Limited edition: 178 pieces (78 of which will be sold as a box set)

Availability: Direct from Louis Erard online
Price: 3,500 Swiss francs

Le Chrono Monopoussoir Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein 
Ref. 74359TT02.BTT88

Diameter: 40 mm
Height: 13.9 mm
Material: Titanium
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 100 m

Movement: SW500 MPCa
Functions: Hours, minutes, and chronograph
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 48 hours

Strap: Nylon with velcro closure

Limited edition: 178 pieces (78 of which will be sold as a box set)

Availability: Direct from Louis Erard online
Price: 4,500 Swiss francs

Le Triptyque Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein box set
Ref. 11111TT02

Features: All three watches in a presentation box along with an NFT digital artwork by Alain Silberstein

Limited edition: 78 sets

Availability: Direct from Louis Erard online
Price: 11,111 Swiss francs

For more, visit Louiserard.com

Correction June 8, 2021: The case diameter is 40 mm, and not 47 mm as stated previously.