Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein: Introducing the Smile-Day Watch
On June 27, 2024, Louis Erard unveiled a new collaboration with renowned designer Alain Silberstein: the Smile-Day watch. This unique timepiece is designed to brighten your day, allowing you to choose from seven different emojis to reflect and shape your mood.
A Collaboration Born from Joy and Rebellion
Since 2019, Louis Erard has partnered with Alain Silberstein, infusing his joyful, artistic, and rebellious spirit into their timepieces. Both brands are known for breaking the mold and defying labels, creating watches that are as unique as the individuals who wear them. The Smile-Day watch is limited to just 178 pieces, offering a rare chance to own a piece that resonates with a non-conformist, life-embracing philosophy.
Turn Frowns Upside Down
Ready to infuse your day with positivity? The Smile-Day watch offers seven emoji faces to match your mood, from neutral to radiant, subtle smirk to beaming joy. Whether you’re feeling the Monday blues or the Sunday sunshine, simply adjust the emoji to reflect your mood and watch the good vibes roll in. There’s more depth and meaning behind these faces than meets the eye.
Alain Silberstein: A Visionary in Watch Design
French interior architect turned watch designer Alain Silberstein is celebrated for his bold use of forms and colors. His consistent artistic vision has made him a pioneer in the watchmaking world. Manuel Emch, CEO of Louis Erard, praises Silberstein’s approach:
“Visionary, horological shaker, and design iconoclast Alain Silberstein shares with Louis Erard a culture of disrupting conventions. We identify with his resilient and clear artistic vision. In watchmaking, seriousness is the norm, functionality the usual drill. Since the 1980s, his bold, Bauhaus-inspired designs have challenged these norms with simplicity, rebellion, and fun whimsical quirkiness. Playfully twisting time, he injects a refreshing positive artistic vision into watchmaking, staying true to what art, creativity, and time truly are—just the way we like it!”
Stripping Down to the Essence
Silberstein’s designs may seem whimsical, but they are deeply rooted in serious art and color theory. He explains:
“Simplifying means stripping down to the raw essence of forms and colors, tapping into the primal roots of creativity. That explains why I am sticking to primary colors as my go-to, enhancing readability with clarity. My designs may seem playful, but they’re grounded in a profound understanding of art and color theory. My colored squares, circles, and triangles pay homage to Kandinsky’s exploration of the connection between primary colors and shapes, while echoing the bold aesthetic of the 1980s Memphis Group in a boundary-pushing aesthetic take on timeless traditions. This perfectly sums up what we share and build together with Louis Erard.”
The Smile-Day Watch: Technical and Aesthetic Details
The Smile-Day watch features a 40mm microblasted grade 2 titanium and polished grade 5 titanium openworked round case, flanked by arched bars that extend to form lugs. Silberstein’s signature design elements from the 1990s are evident, especially the iconic “smile-day” aperture at 6 o’clock. The dial showcases Silberstein’s Bauhaus and Kandinsky-inspired hands: a red triangular hour indicator, a blue arrow-like minute hand, and a yellow squiggly seconds hand. The crown is adorned with Silberstein’s red lacquered touch.
The watch comes with a grey nylon strap featuring a hook-and-loop fastener system for easy adjustment. The understated “stahlgrau” shade transitions from glossy on the dial to bright on the strap, adding to its iconic appeal.
A Celebration of Art and Time
The Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein Smile-Day watch is more than just a timepiece; it’s a celebration of the primary essence of time, art, and creativity. With its playful yet grounded design, it honors tradition while whimsically pushing boundaries, making every day a smile-day. Available exclusively through Louis Erard, this limited-edition watch is a must-have for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
For more information, please visit LouisErard.com.