Louis Erard Excellence Petite Seconde Guilloché

Quick specs Louis Erard Excellence Petite Seconde Guilloché
Price: approx. € 2.400 | CHF 2’300 | approx. $ 2,600 | approx. £ 2,100 (all excluding tax)
Size: 39 or 42 mm
Reference: 34248AA21.BVA150 (39 mm) | 34237AA42.BVA170 (42 mm)

The Louis Erard Excellence Petite Seconde Guilloché comes in two new versions, in two sizes and is an addition to the Excellence series. Which has over 50 (!) different models, but none of them with a dial like the new one. Which has, like the name already reveals, a guilloché dial.

If you are not familiar with guilloché, it is an often used decorative technique where a machine engraves repetitive patterns. It is an old technique as the first engine turning machines are possibly from the 1500s. Not only dials, also main plates, back plates, cases, clocks, and more can have a guilloché pattern.

On the new 39- and 42-millimeter Louis Erard’s you will find three different patterns. On the inner dial, on the outer ring of the dial and on the small seconds sub dial. The 39-millimeter version had also blue accents on the dial, combined with anthracite. The 42-millimeter comes in black with anthracite accents.

The Louis Erard Excellence Petite Seconde Guilloché has a power reserve of 38 hours

The watches run with the automatic Sellita caliber SW261-1 which is a so called élaboré grade movement. In short: movement manufacturers like ETA and Sellita have different grades for their movements. ETA has Standard with an accuracy of +/-12 up to +/- 30 seconds per day. Then there is Special (or Élaboré) with an accuracy of +/-7 up to +/- 20 seconds per day. The third grade is Premium (or Top) with an accuracy of +/-4 up to +/- 15 seconds per day and lastly there is the Chronometer grade or COSC. This grade keeps the time within an average rate of -4 up to +6 seconds per day.

It’s not only about accuracy, but there are also differences in the anti-shock device. With ETA movements the first two have a novodiac shock absorber, the last two an incabloc. And there are differences in rubies, and the way a movement is finished. So, the élaboré grade certainly has a fair quality, especially given the price tag of this watch. The power reserve of the SW261-1 is about 38 hours. And it has an open-worked oscillating weight with black lacquered Louis Erard symbol.

Both Louis Erard Excellence Petite Seconde Guilloché models come on a black grained calf leather strap. The strap has two-tone stitching and a black grained calf leather lining and is secured with a stainless steel pin buckle. If you like a more plain dial, with the same specs (39 millimeters), take a look at this Louis Erard La Petite Seconde Metropolis x The Horophile.