Louis Erard and Konstantin Chaykin Present the First Tourbillon Edition in Their Collaboration

A few days ago, Louis Erard and Konstantin Chaykin unveiled their third collaboration: the Time-Eater III, featuring the famous one-eyed monster design, an edition the two brands described as “the final bite,” which some interpreted as a hint that it would be the last in this distinctive partnership.

However, the collaboration didn’t end there. Today, the two maisons reveal a remarkable new addition: the first tourbillon regulator watch born from their joint efforts, a significant leap that takes the partnership to new heights, all while preserving the creative spirit that sparked it.

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News L. Leroy Marks Its 240th Anniversary with the Dawn of a New Chapter

A Highly Anticipated Comeback for the Historic Maison at Geneva Watch Days

ByWaqt

9 hours ago

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For its 240th anniversary, L.Leroy is making a remarkable return to the forefront of the fine watchmaking scene by unveiling an exceptional high complication timepiece, a tribute to its historic mastery. This outstanding creation will be unveiled in a world premiere at the Geneva Watch Days in early September. 2025 will see L.Leroy commemorate a significant milestone by blowing out 240 candles and celebrating the occasion with a new collection. This will be unveiled at the Hotel Beau Rivage during the Geneva Watch Days from 4 to 7 September 2025.

Established in Paris in 1785 by Charles Leroy, himself the son of a watchmaker, L. Leroy wrote some of the most extraordinary chapters in the annals of French watchmaking and chronometry, developing a multitude of technical and artistic masterpieces. From its inception, the company was officially appointed watchmaker to the king and later became a supplier to the French imperial family.

In 1835, L.Leroy was appointed watchmaker to the French Ministry of the Navy and was subsequently supplier to the most prestigious European naval fleets, both civil and military, until the late 1980s.

L. Leroy left an indelible imprint on the history of precision and the excellence of its production is confirmed by the 384 gold medals won in chronometry competitions, a total that remains an absolute record to date. For nearly two and a half centuries, the Maison has been delivering magnificent masterpieces to the world.

One of the most remarkable piece is the famous "Leroy 01", which was awarded first prize at the 1900 Universal Exhibition in Paris and can now be admired at the Musée du Temps in Besançon (France). With 975 components and 27 complications, this impressive pocket watch was considered the world's most complicated timepiece until 1989. one of this timepieces was sold at Phillips' Hong Kong Watch Auction XVIII.

Today, this remarkable timepiece is proudly showcased in the prestigious collection of the Patek Philippe Museum. And it inspired our latest Unique Piece “Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon”launched in 2023. which we reviewed in this video.

A watch with a very complex construction, both stylistically and mechanically because of its rotating dial, which required the highly skilled skills of watchmakers to develop and assemble its hand-wound movement. Not to mention the master engravers and specialists in high-end finishing. This human, artistic and industrial adventure is marked by illustrious names including Marie Antoinette, Proust, Matisse, Napoleon, Queen Victoria, Roosevelt, Chopin, Nobel, Bugatti, the aviation pioneers Charles Lindbergh and Santos-Dumont, to mention but a few owners of a watch signed by L.Leroy. Today, the French-born, Swiss-adopted brand belongs to Spanish entrepreneur Miguel Rodríguez. Well-known as the President of the Festina Group and Perrelet, as well as the owner of SOPROD a prestigious watchmaking and movement production hub, the acquisition of L. Leroy stems, after learning about its surprising history and from the desire to perpetuate the brand's extraordinary legacy. Mr. Rodriguez states:

"L.Leroy has left us a unique and exceptional heritage, witnessed by several masterpieces preserved in prestigious museums, in addition to those owned by the L. Leroy Museum. This heritage must continue to be valued and nurtured in the 21st century. The goal is to propose timepieces in a contemporary key that embody the same approach as its illustrious predecessors. Its indelible mark on the art of watchmaking must continue to thrive, delighting the most demanding connoisseurs and enabling them to pass on their passion to future generations".

Hugo Lesizza, at the helm of L. Leroy. He says: “We are thrilled to commemorate L. Leroy's 240th birthday at GWD in September. This event is the perfect stage to meet an audience of enthusiasts and collectors who will be able to discover our latest creations, which we are very excited about. This and future collections will be limited productions, conceived with the aim of perpetuating the brand's exceptional tradition. Manufactured exclusively for us in Geneva, they will undoubtedly benefit from the technological innovations of our era, embellished with contemporary styling and finished to the most elevated standards. This is just the beginning of a new chapter, much more is to come!”