Louis Erard’s continues its collaborative streak with independent watchmakers. The Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Kudoke is essentially a Louis Erard regulator model dressed in Kudoke’s signature dial and hands.

Available in purple, forest green, light blue or white mother-of-pearl, the dial goes all-in with the details. It sports applied chapter rings, clous de Paris patterning on the hour register, and a stamped granular finish on the rest of the dial, echoing the aesthetic of Kudoke’s Handwerk collection.

Initial thoughts

The new model boasts impressive dial details that are usually found in pricier timepieces, while managing to retain the identities of both brands in a best-of-both-worlds presentation, making it arguably one of Louis Erard’s very best collaborations.

But because it is fundamentally a Le Régulateur, it has the shortcomings of the model, namely a noticeably thick case that’s required to accommodate the Sellita base movement plus regulator module. Still, the Kudoke Le Régulateur is a good value proposition all things considered. Though slightly more expensive, the mother-of-pearl model stands out as it offers an unusual combination of materials and design in this price segment.

Affordable guilloché

The stainless steel case is identical to that of the standard model, and measures 42 mm in diameter and 12.25 mm in thickness. It is entirely polished and features domed sapphire crystals on both sides.

The dial retains the model’s trademark in-line layout for the hands that are all in blued steel. The central hand indicates minutes, an infinity-shaped hand on the upper counter indicates hours, and the hand at six is for the seconds.

The Kudoke touches are the infinity-shaped hour hand as well as the three chapter rings on the dial that are all rhodium-plated, chamfered and satin-brushed. As with Kudoke’s Handwerk models, the dial relies on texture to create the design: the hour counter is stamped with clous de Paris, while the rest of the dial boasts a stamped grained surface.

Like Louis Erard’s other regulator models, this is powered by a Sellita SW266-1A that’s been modified for the regulator-style display. It offers a 38-hour power reserve and beats at 28,800 beats per hour.

The movement has been dressed up with an open-worked rotor bearing the Louis Erard logo, but the overall look remains industrial, though adequate for the price.

Key facts and price

Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Kudoke
Ref. 85237AA46.BVA173
Ref. 85237AA44.BVA179
Ref. 85237AA49.BVA178
Ref. 85237AA45.BVA173

Diameter: 42 mm
Height: 12.25 mm
Material: Stainless steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 50 m

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

Strap: Calfskin strap with pin buckle

Limited edition: 78 pieces each
Availability: Direct from Louis Erard online
Price: CHF4,000 for Purple, Forest Green and Light Blue; CHF4,500 for White Mother-of-Pearl (prices exclude taxes)

For more, visit Louiserard.com.