MATERIAL DISGUISED. CRAFT REVEALED.
With Marqueterie de Paille, Louis Erard brings straw marquetry to the wrist through a limited edition of 25 pieces. Portuguese artist Bernardo d'Orey transforms rye straw into a handcrafted dial where texture, colour and light become the composition itself.
“The watches I love most are the ones that never stop surprising me. You look at them once, then again, and every time you discover something new. That's exactly what fascinated me about this watch. At first, you admire the dial. Only later do you begin to understand the craft behind it. That's what makes this watch so special to me."
Manuel Emch
- Limited edition: 25 handcrafted timepieces.
- Technique: Straw marquetry, interpreted by Portuguese artist Bernardo d'Orey.
- Design: 39 mm polished stainless-steel case with an abstract straw marquetry dial in layered shades of blue.
- Craftsmanship: 12 hours of handwork. 28 individually composed sections. Every dial is unique.
COMPOSED IN STRAW
Creating a single dial requires around 12 hours of meticulous handwork, spread over several days in order to maintain the high level of concentration required.
It all begins with just a few rye straws. Bernardo d'Orey selects only the sections offering the richest colours, textures and natural reflections before opening, flattening and preparing them by hand.
The composition is built from 28 individually composed sections, each differing in shape, size and fibre direction. Together, they create a surface that interacts with light differently, allowing the dial to evolve continuously as the watch moves.
Working within tolerances below 0.1 millimetre, every element must be positioned perfectly from the outset. There is no room for correction. The work progresses in short sessions of absolute concentration. Bernardo describes it as working almost "in apnea", stopping before fatigue can compromise the precision of his eye.
Because straw is a natural material, no two pieces are ever identical. Subtle variations in colour, texture and reflection are part of the craft itself, ensuring that every dial remains faithful to the same artistic composition while expressing its own unique character.
"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
RARE CRAFT. MADE ACCESSIBLE
Every Louis Erard Métiers d'Art watch begins with an encounter between an exceptional artisan and a rare craft. The ambition is simple: stay faithful to the artisan's work while making it accessible to more collectors.
From Grand Feu enamel, hand engraving and Fil d'Or to Marqueterie de Paille, every project follows the same conviction.
Every craft tells a different story. Every watch follows the same philosophy.
