SpotlightA Metropolis Marvel: Louis Erard’s La Petite Seconde Metropolis ‘Louis Erard X The Horophile’

What happens when the best of Swiss watchmaking collaborates with an insider with a passion for independent watchmaking? The outcome is a fresh foundation for the popular Petite Seconde line—the Petite Seconde Metropolis Louis Erard X The Horophile. Available in three renditions of slate, salmon, and tobacco, the new editions features a New York-inspired art deco-style, revisited in a resolutely contemporary spirit—neo deco if you will. With a mere 178 units available across all variations, this limited-edition masterpiece captures the fusion of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design.

Unveiling The Dance: Louis Erard Team Up with The Horophile

The Louis Erard La Petite Seconde Metropolis Louis Erard X The Horophile is born from the exchange of cultures, ideas, dreams, passions, and friendship of over 15 years between two stalwarts in the watch industry. Swiss watchmaking brand, Louis Erard, led by director Manuel Emch, stands as a guide in affordable Swiss watchmaking and Amr Sindi, aka @TheHorophile on Instagram, consults for watchmakers and crafts limited editions. 

The idea of the Louis Erard La Petite Seconde Metropolis Louis Erard X The Horophile was conceived as a ‘collection within the collection’. According to Amr Sindi, “The watch is a base on which other special series could be built.”

Art Deco Meets Modernity: A Circular Dial Pattern With Baton Hands On The Horophile

Although it is based on the Louis Erard Petite Seconde with its classic 39mm steel case and ‘LE’ signature crown, the Louis Erard La Petite Seconde Metropolis Louis Erard X The Horophile also comes with a whole lot of new features. The Metropolis timepiece represents a journey travelling between two times: the fun 1920s and now, giving us the creation of a new style—neo-deco which mixes the old art deco with a modern look. 

The overall design of the watch starts with the typography. The dial is home to an extensive array of numerals based on architectural, open-worked-like façade elements. The small seconds aren’t numbered; they’re just indicated by a single dot. The circular pattern on the dial takes centre stage. It’s designed in two ways: flat for the main hour-minute dial and the small seconds dial. In the watch’s centre, the pattern is raised in a 3D style. It has multiple grooves that add texture to the dial and make it shine when light hits. An interesting addition to the dial is the use of ‘empire’ baton hands, which signifies the Empire State Building, an art deco skyscraper emblematic of modernity. 

Each watch in the collection has a different feel and warmth, creating distinct contrasts

Perfect for a dressy affair, the Petite Seconde Metropolis Louis Erard X The Horophile captures the fusion of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design

The new editions features a New York-inspired art deco-style, revisited in a resolutely contemporary spirit—neo deco if you will

Made of grained calfskin, the strap also follows the colour harmony: cool brown for the anthracite version, black for the salmon, and chocolate for the brown

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There are three versions of the design: slate, salmon, and tobacco. Each has a different feel and warmth, creating distinct contrasts. The hands and numerals are gilded with 5N red gold, for the anthracite and brown dials, and anthracite and black for the salmon dial. Made of grained calfskin, the strap also follows the colour harmony: cool brown for the anthracite version, black for the salmon, and chocolate for the brown.

The Louis Erard La Petite Seconde Metropolis Louis Erard X The Horophile is powered by the automatic Sellita SW261-1 calibre clocking in a power reserve of 38 hours. There are 178 watches made: three sets of 59 watches each, and an extra special one for The Horophile.