LOUIS ERARD

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LOUIS ERARD came to the world of Swiss luxury watch market in 1931.

The parent company was founded in 1929 by Mr Louis Erard at La Chaux-de-Fonds (NE). Until 1942 Louis Erard watches were produced under the parent company Louis Erard & André Perret SA,  La Chaux-de-Fonds which was established in 1929 by Louis Erard and André Perret families. Andre Perret family separated from the business in 1942 and in 1945 Louis Erard became public limited company.

Since it was created in 1931, Louis Erard has had its fair share of ups and downs, even to the point of closing down at the beginning of the 1990’s. The brand was re-launched in 2003 by a group of investors led by Alain Spinedi. Their goal was  to produce high-quality mechanical watches at affordable prices. And time has shown how realistic that goal was, with over 80,000 timepieces leaving the workshops in six years.

In 2006 to celebrate its 75th anniversary they relaunched the original 1931 collection from Louis Erard, GMT Big Date and Moon Phase. In 2007 Louis Erard launched its new 1931 – Evolution line as well as its first line of ladies’ watches, Emotion. In 2008, Louis Erard also entered the world of complications with the development of an exclusive module: one more step towards Haute Horlogerie at affordable prices.

The company is keen to show all watch aficionados that expertise, flawless quality, and small complications can go hand-in-hand with affordable prices. The creative design and most distinguished finishing further enhance the rare excellence of these timepieces.

Mile Stones

1893: Birth of founder, Louis Erard, on 16 February.

1929: Foundation of the Louis Erard Company in La Chaux-de-Fonds (NE). Corporate name: Louis Erard & André Perret.

1931: Production of the first watches under the Louis Erard brand name.

1937: The Company employs a staff of over 60.

1942-1980: Main activity remains casing for other watch companies.

1980: A sustained effort is made to expand the Louis Erard brand, with some success on Asian markets.

1992: The company changes hands following serious financial problems : transferred to Le Noirmont (JU).

2003: After 10 years of silence, the brand is bought out by private investors and re-launched.

2007: The 50’000th watch since the brand’s comeback in 2003 leaves Louis Erard’s workshops. In autumn, the company presents its first ladies’ collection, Emotion.

2009: A new milestone on the way to Haute Horlogerie with affordable prices : Louis Erard launches its first in-house module developed together with Soprod SA.

2010: The 100,000 watch mark is passed, underlining the brand’s success story.

2011: Louis Erard celebrates 80 years of mechanical watchmaking. To mark this anniversary, the Excellence collection – a blend of tradition and modernity – is presented at Baselworld.

2016: Celebrates 85th anniversary. Revisits Heritage Collection.

Address
Montres Louis Erard SA
Rue de l’Ouest 2
2340 Le Noirmont – Switzerland
Website: http://montres-louiserard.ch/en