Louis Erard Unveils the Limited-Edition Gravée Main

Since 2021, Louis Erard has been redefining the boundaries of Métiers d’Art, from Grand Feu enamel and guilloché to wood marquetry, and soon, gold wire inlay. Now, Gravée Main opens a new chapter, paying tribute to one of the oldest crafts in watchmaking hand engraving.
Gravée Main represents a new milestone in Louis Erard’s Métiers d’Art series. This limited edition of 99 unique timepieces places hand engraving at center stage, with every metal element entirely engraved and finished by hand, a meticulous process that requires more than 50 hours of work.

Glossary

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Glossary
Impulse

Impulse

refers to the push or force required to maintain the oscillation of the balance wheel in a mechanical watch. The balance wheel, along with the hairspring, regulates the accuracy of time display in the watch. The impulse is provided by the escapement mechanism, which interacts with the balance wheel, allowing it to move forward and then releasing it at the right moment for it to swing back (oscillate back and forth).

Watchmakers focus on designing, adjusting, and lubricating the escapement mechanism to improve the impulse and achieve good timekeeping performance.

Quartz watches do not rely on impulse as they use a different mechanism based on the oscillation of a quartz crystal.