The Cyclops Le Régulateur by Louis Erard x Konstantin Chaykin
Konstantin Chaykin reinterprets Louis Erard’s regulator watch with his mythological figure of a saw-mouthed cyclops in two color variations and a unique box set.
Louis Erard is a well-respected maker of Swiss watches that are both beautiful and accessible. Under the guidance of Manuel Emch, the company has established itself as a mentor for cross-disciplinary collaborations. They have worked with experts in the métiers d’art, such as guillochage, marquetry, and enamel. They have also collaborated with creators, including Seconde/Seconde, Atelier Oï, Label Noir, and Massena Lab, and with some of the great names in independent watchmaking, such as Alain Silberstein and Vianney Halter. With each new collaboration, Louis Erard proves they are always stronger when working together.
Konstantin Chaykin, the Watchmaker
This latest collaboration is with Konstantin Chaykin, a member of the AHCI (Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants). Konstantin Chaykin is a world-famous watchmaker and inventor who founded the Konstantin Chaykin Watch Manufacture in 2003. The company specializes in producing intricate and complicated watches and clocks, including collector’s pieces. Chaykin holds 94 registered patents, more than any other watchmaker worldwide.
His works have been shortlisted for prestigious awards, including the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, and are often seen at the Only Watch auction. In 2021, the Martian Tourbillon became the most expensive Russian-made watch ever sold. Chaykin has earned a reputation in the world of watches with faces, particularly the faces of monsters. He launched a collection called Wristmons (wrist monsters) in 2017, which has been expanding yearly like a big family of happy villains.
Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Konstantin Chaykin
When Louis Erard and Konstantin Chaykin came together, they created a unique and unusual creature: a one-eyed monster brought to life by mechanics. This Cyclops does not come from Greece; he has crossed the Balkans, the evil eye of Slavic tales, and is called Likho. According to Chaykin, “Every Halloween, I created a new type of monster, i.e. wristwatches with a Halloween theme, such as the pumpkin head watch and the Dracula watch, for example. Looking for ideas for this story, I turned to the one-eyed Likho character from fairy tales.”
To create the Likho face, Chaykin took inspiration from the architecture of Louis Erard’s signature regulator, which has a central minute, an hour at noon, and a second at six o’clock. He built the face with one eye, the Likho’s eye, which serves as a protective amulet against evil spirits. For the small second at six o’clock, the watchmaker dressed it in a disc with pointed teeth, turning like the devouring mouth of an ogre. The central minute hand gives the monster an arm, which Chaykin made to cross the dial, with “two hands turning in a circle.” To complete the cartoonish character, the watchmaker played with “specific finger combinations,” which give the whole thing the appearance of an arrow: a point at one end, a plumage at the other, a finger stretched out on one side, a sign of the horns at the other end. The watch is completed with a black toad strap.
Two Versions and a Box Set
The Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Konstantin Chaykin comes in two versions, one with a purple hour circle for the 39 mm piece and another with a green hour circle for the 42 mm. The watches are powered by the Sellita SW261-1 automatic movement with 38 hours of power reserve. Despite its shockingly reasonable price of 4000 francs, this watch is a true work of art. For those who truly appreciate the artistry that goes into creating a unique and unusual timepiece, the diptych version is available in a special box for 7900 CHF.
A Limited Edition Collaboration
Their collaboration results in a stunning limited edition watch that features a grotesque saw-mouthed cyclops, reinterpreted by Konstantin Chaykin. The watch comes in two color variations, both in limited editions of 178 pieces, while the diptych (box set) is limited to only 28 pieces.
While the future of another Louis Erard x Konstantin Chaykin collaboration is unknown, one thing is for sure: their latest creation, the Likho Cyclops Regulator, is a unique and striking timepiece that showcases the impressive skill and creativity of both brands. It will undoubtedly appeal to collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate innovative and unconventional watchmaking.
Price & Availability
The Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Konstantin Chaykin is a limited edition available on the Louis Erard e-shop.
The Two versions of the Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Konstantin ChaykinPrice: Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Konstantin Chaykin ref. 85237AA88: CHF 4’000
Price: Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Konstantin Chaykin ref. 85248AA89: CHF 4’000
Price: Le Diptyque Louis Erard x Konstantin Chaykin ref. 22222AA88: CHF 7’900
