Watchatlas

Louis Erard

Le Noirmont, Switzerland · Est. 1929

Founded by Louis Erard, André Perret

Louis Erard is an independent Swiss watch brand founded in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1929 as a watchmaking school. Production moved to Le Noirmont in 1991. Known for classically styled watches at accessible mid-range price points, the brand has attracted attention through collaborations with prominent figures including Alain Silberstein and Vianney Halter.

Founded
1929
Headquarters
Le Noirmont, Switzerland
Group
Independent
Price Segment
Mid
Status
Active

Key Collections

  • Noirmont — Louis Erard Noirmont gathers the brand's classic small-seconds and regulator watches, using restrained dials, Jura references, and accessible mechanical executions. Key references: 34248AA08.BVA141, 34248AA05.BVA134, 85237AA21.BVA31.
  • Noirmont X — Louis Erard Noirmont X is the brand's collaboration lane, pairing its regulator and small-seconds templates with outside watchmakers, designers, and artists. Key references: 85248AA03.BSA02, 85237AA45.BVA173, 75357TT03.BTT83.
  • Noirmont Métiers d'Art — Louis Erard Noirmont Métiers d'Art is the brand's craft-focused collection, gathering enamel, hand engraving, guilloché, marquetry, stone dials, and artist collaborations under its accessible fine-watchmaking strategy. Key references: Fil d'Or Louis Erard x Wire Art, Louis Erard Gravée Main, Émail Grand Feu II.
  • 2340 — Louis Erard 2340 is the brand's integrated-bracelet family, named after the Le Noirmont postal code and positioned as a foundational modern line rather than a limited-edition release. Key references: 35123TA11.BMT12, 35123TA12.BMT12, 35123TA03.BMT12.

Timeline

  • 1929 — Louis Erard is founded in La Chaux-de-Fonds as a watchmaking school by Louis Erard and André Perret, establishing an independent watchmaking identity rooted in the Swiss Jura's horological tradition.
  • 1991 — The company is sold and production moves to Le Noirmont in the Swiss Jura, where it remains headquartered today.
  • 2003 — Manuel Emch takes the helm as CEO, reorienting Louis Erard towards bold collaborations and artisanal watchmaking, prioritising innovation over conformity.
  • 2021 — The Noirmont X collaboration series launches with Alain Silberstein, generating significant collector enthusiasm and international press coverage.
  • 2023 — Louis Erard introduces the 2340 collection, marking a new technical and aesthetic chapter with an in-house movement and bold case design.
  • 2025 — Dubbed the 'King of Collabs' by the Financial Times. Releases the Konstantin Chaykin Unfrogettable at Dubai Watch Week 2025. Launches the 2340 integrated-bracelet sports watch as a permanent collection.

Frequently Asked Questions about Louis Erard

Is Louis Erard truly independent?
Yes. Louis Erard has remained independent since its founding in 1929, which is central to its identity and enables the creative risk-taking that defines its collaboration programme.
What makes Louis Erard's Noirmont X collaborations special?
The Noirmont X series invites renowned watchmakers and artists — including Alain Silberstein and Vianney Halter — to reimagine Louis Erard pieces, producing truly unique limited editions that challenge conventional watchmaking aesthetics.

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Other independent Switzerland watch brands

  • OrisHölstein, Switzerland
  • DoxaLe Locle, Switzerland
  • AlpinaPlan-les-Ouates, Switzerland
  • Maurice LacroixSaignelégier, Switzerland

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