Louis Erard’s Petite Seconde Metropolis timepiece is a stunning blend of contemporary and classic design elements. The dial, the face of the watch, is a playground of textures and surface treatments, presenting a modern aesthetic that is surprisingly harmonious in its final form.
Petite Seconde Metropolis – Dial
The dial’s central section is a captivating maze of circular grooves, interrupted only by a smaller seconds subdial at the 6:00 position. This subdial boasts a circular satin finish, mirroring the outer sector where the hour markers reside. The watch hands are a subtle nod to the iconic Empire State Building, a detail that may go unnoticed without a keen eye or a read through the press release. They bear a resemblance to stylized syringes, a design choice that aligns with the geometric focus of the Art Deco movement, the era that inspired this watch.
Louis Erard’s decision to use a consistent shape for the hour, minute, and seconds hands is commendable, as is the intricate detailing of the two larger hands, which are skeletonized. This feature complements the open spaces in the numerals, creating a cohesive design. The Petite Seconde Metropolis is housed in Louis Erard’s smaller 39mm case, a fitting choice for a watch of this style.
Petite Seconde Metropolis – Price
It comes in three dial options: slate, salmon, and tobacco, offering a variety to cater to different tastes. This watch is a limited edition, with only 178 pieces available. Each dial variant has 59 pieces, with an additional unique piece reserved for The Horophile. Priced at CHF 2,300, this exquisite timepiece is currently available for purchase. louiserard.com
Watch the video version of this post here:
