Louis Erard Marqueterie de Paille
Louis Erard unveils the Marqueterie de Paille, a limited edition that transforms one of the decorative arts’ rarest crafts into a miniature, ever-changing landscape.
Created with Portuguese artist Bernardo D’Orey, the watch trades the conventional dial for an abstract composition of rye straw: an organic material made luminous through patience, precision and light.
Named “Broken Ice,” the dial is assembled from 28 individually composed sections in layered shades of blue. Each differs in shape, scale and fibre direction, causing the surface to fracture and redirect the light as the wrist moves. At one angle, it appears cool and crystalline; at another, deep and fluid. What initially seems like a still image is continually recomposed by its surroundings.
Each dial demands around 12 hours of meticulous handwork, spread across several days. D’Orey begins with only a few rye straws, selecting the passages with the richest colours, textures and natural reflections before opening, flattening and preparing them by hand. Working to tolerances of less than 0.1 millimetre, he must place every element perfectly with no room for error.
"What I love is creating a new texture, so you don't immediately realise it's straw... but something that intrigues the person looking at it." -Bernardo D’Orey
The natural irregularities of straw are not disguised but celebrated. Subtle variations in colour, grain and reflection ensure that every dial remains faithful to the same composition while possessing a character entirely its own. No two pieces are identical.
Housed in a polished 39mm stainless-steel case, the Marqueterie de Paille places rhodium-plated hands above the dial, their satin-finished surfaces and diamond-cut edges maintaining an elegant visual restraint.
Inside is the automatic Sellita SW261-1, an élaboré-grade movement operating at 4Hz with approximately 38 hours of power reserve. A transparent black caseback reveals its specially openworked oscillating weight, finished with Louis Erard’s black-lacquered emblem. The watch is water-resistant to 50 metres and completed by a beige grained calfskin strap.
Limited to just 25 handcrafted pieces, the Louis Erard Marqueterie de Paille is outstandingly unique. Composed with straw, made dynamic by light, and a centuries-old craft, reawakened by a watch's mechanical heartbeat.
Technical Specifications
Movement
Automatic Sellita SW261-1 calibre
Two-hand display
Diameter: 11½ lignes (25.60 mm)
Height: 5.60 mm
31 jewels
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
Élaboré-grade movement
Special openworked oscillating weight with a black-lacquered Louis Erard symbol
Approximately 38-hour power reserve
Functions
Central hours and minutes
Case
Polished stainless steel
Diameter: 39 mm
Lug width: 20 mm
Lug-to-lug: 45.90 mm
Thickness: 12.82 mm
Three-piece construction
Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
Transparent black caseback displaying the movement
Water resistance: 5 bar (50 m / 165 ft)
Signature fir-tree crown
Caseback engraved with “LIMITED EDITION 1 OF 25”
Dial
Handcrafted straw-marquetry dial
Abstract “Broken Ice” composition in layered shades of blue
Made from 28 individually crafted zones, each with its own shape, size, and fibre orientation
Creates a constantly changing interplay of light and texture
Approximately two days of craftsmanship required for each dial
Every dial is unique and entirely handcrafted by Bernardo D’Orey
Hands
Rhodium-plated
Satin-finished top surfaces
Diamond-cut edges
Strap
Beige grained calf leather
Tone-on-tone stitching
Black calf-leather lining
Polished stainless-steel pin buckle
Quick-release spring bars
Width: 20/18 mm
Length: 80/115 mm
Limited Edition: 25 pieces
Price: 45,000 HKD