Louis Erard's Marqueterie de Paille pairs a 39mm stainless steel case with a handcrafted straw marquetry dial by Bernardo d'Orey. Limited to 25 pieces at CHF 4,500.
The Vantage Point
- Reference 34248AA45.BVA158 houses a Sellita SW261-1 automatic calibre inside a 39mm polished stainless steel case, limited to 25 handcrafted pieces at CHF 4,500 excluding tax.
- Each dial is an abstract “Broken Ice” composition in layered shades of blue, built from 28 individually crafted straw sections by Portuguese artist Bernardo d’Orey.
- Production of each dial spans approximately 12 hours of handwork; no two dials are identical.
- The caseback is engraved “LIMITED EDITION 1 OF 25”, and the edition marks Louis Erard’s ongoing Métiers d’Art programme alongside prior projects in Grand Feu enamel and hand engraving.
Design & Visual Identity
The “Broken Ice” composition is built from rye straw, not pigment. Bernardo d’Orey selects only the sections of straw offering the richest natural colours, then opens, flattens and positions each one by hand. The 28 sections differ in shape, size and fibre direction, producing a surface whose appearance shifts continuously as the watch moves. Because straw is organic, every dial carries its own subtle variation in colour and reflection; the composition remains consistent across the 25 pieces while each dial retains its own character.
The 39mm polished steel case frames the dial cleanly, with rhodium-plated hands carrying satin-finished top surfaces and diamond-cut edges. The beige grained calf leather strap with tone-on-tone stitching keeps the palette warm without competing with the blue dial.
Movement & Materials
Powering the watch is a Sellita SW261-1 automatic calibre, visible through a transparent black caseback. The movement runs at 28,800 VpH (4Hz), carries 31 jewels and offers approximately 38 hours of power reserve. An openworked oscillating weight with a black lacquered Louis Erard symbol is visible from the rear. The case offers 5 bar (50 m) water resistance and measures 12.82 mm in thickness, with quick-release spring bars allowing strap changes without tools.
Manuel Emch, whose quote opens the press materials, describes the appeal precisely: “You look at them once, then again, and every time you discover something new.” That observation applies directly to the movement side, where the rotor competes quietly with the dial for the wearer’s attention.
Who It Is For
Twenty-five pieces worldwide positions this well outside speculative territory. The collector drawn to the Marqueterie de Paille cares about process, specifically 12 hours of concentrated handwork, tolerances below 0.1 millimetre, and a technique that sits closer to the decorative arts than to mainstream horology. For Gulf collectors who follow Watches and Wonders and track independent Swiss production closely, the CHF 4,500 price point makes a credible case: this is Métiers d’Art output at a fraction of what comparable dial craft commands from larger houses.
The Watch in Context
Louis Erard, founded in 1929, has built its Métiers d’Art line across techniques including Grand Feu enamel, Fil d’Or and hand engraving. The Marqueterie de Paille adds straw marquetry to that list without altering the programme’s underlying logic: find an exceptional artisan, let the craft lead, keep the price within reach of collectors who would otherwise never own work of this calibre.
Ref. 34248AA45.BVA158 is available on request from Louis Erard directly at louiserard.com or through an authorised GCC retailer.
| Movement | Automatic, Sellita SW261-1, 28,800 VpH, 31 jewels, ~38 h power reserve |
| Case size | Ø 39 mm; lug-to-lug 45.90 mm; thickness 12.82 mm |
| Case material | Polished stainless steel; domed sapphire crystal, AR both sides |
| Dial | Handcrafted straw marquetry, “Broken Ice”, layered blues, 28 sections |
| Strap | Beige grained calf leather, tone-on-tone stitching, quick-release, 20/18 mm |
| Water resistance | 5 bar (50 m / 165 ft) |
| Price | CHF 4,500 excl. tax |
| Availability | On request from the maison or an authorised GCC retailer |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the reference number and price of the Louis Erard Marqueterie de Paille?
The watch carries reference 34248AA45.BVA158 and is priced at CHF 4,500 excluding tax. The edition is strictly limited to 25 handcrafted pieces.
How long does it take to make a single Marqueterie de Paille dial?
Each dial requires approximately 12 hours of handwork spread across two days. Artist Bernardo d'Orey works in short sessions of concentrated effort, operating within tolerances below 0.1 millimetre.
Who created the straw marquetry dials for Louis Erard?
The dials were created by Bernardo d'Orey, a Portuguese artist who specialises in straw marquetry. He works exclusively with rye straw, composing 28 individually crafted zones per dial to produce an abstract 'Broken Ice' composition in layered shades of blue.
Is the Louis Erard Marqueterie de Paille available in the Gulf region?
The watch is available on request from the maison or an authorised GCC retailer. With only 25 pieces produced worldwide, prospective buyers in the Gulf are encouraged to contact Louis Erard directly through louiserard.com.
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