A Canvas in Steel: Louis Erard’s Gravée Main

With the Gravée Main, Louis Erard opens a new chapter in its Métiers d’Art series. Following earlier explorations in enamel, guilloché, and wood marquetry, this three-hand model highlights one of the oldest decorative techniques in watchmaking: hand engraving. More than 50 hours of meticulous work go into each piece, as Ukrainian watchmaker and engraver Maksym Shavlak transforms stainless steel with burins, shading, and fine detailing into a wearable objet d’art. No two watches are alike— each carries its own unique character.

The 42-millimeter Noirmont case becomes Shavlak’s canvas, adorned with delicate baroque floral motifs reminiscent of 18th-century engravings. The intricate patterns extend across the entire case, including bezel and crown. In deliberate contrast, the dial remains restrained: a glossy black lacquer background with anthracite Roman numerals, rhodium-plated pear-shaped hands, and a small seconds at 6 o’clock create a finely balanced interplay between ornamentation and minimalism.

At the heart of the watch beats the automatic Sellita SW261-1 caliber, operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour with a power reserve of approximately 38 hours. A sapphire crystal caseback reveals the movement and its openworked rotor bearing the Louis Erard symbol. Completing the timepiece is a black calfskin strap with a hand-engraved stainless-steel pin buckle.

The Louis Erard Gravée Main is limited to 99 individually engraved pieces. It is priced at CHF 5,450 (excluding tax), or approximately $6,770 when converted to USD.

To learn more, visit Louis Erard, here.