Once again, Louis Erard entrusts his regulator to master watchmaker Konstantin Chaykin, revealing a darker iteration of his renowned Wristmons (wrist monsters) – a grotesque, saw-mouthed cyclops inspired by the Slavic Likho legend. The Likho returns, this time filled with anger. Two variations in limited editions (178 pieces each), in a diptych box (box limited to 28 pieces) or in a quadriptych box (with the first two versions, limited to 8 pieces).
First and foremost, don’t stare deep into its pupil. The Likho’s malevolent eye could change your life forever. Likho is a legendary monster from Slavic folklore. But when master watchmaker Konstantin Chaykin tells the story, it’s time to be wary.
For years now, Konstantin Chaykin, an outstanding practitioner and member of the AHCI (Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants) with 94 patents to his name, has been peppering his creations with visions of horror.
Horror, you read that right. There is no Erard… no error! Erard, yes, there is. Sorry, that eye… unique, worrying, spinning, like an hourglass that drags you deeper into its black soul every second.
But Konstantin Chaykin had a choice. He could have put all his expertise at the service of fine watchmaking, perfectly designed, inventive, traditional watchmaking, with exceptional craftsmanship and finishes, hand guilloché and grand feu enamel. But on the nights of the full moon, it’s a different kind of fire that burns Konstantin Chaykin… he says he has visions… and he makes watches out of them, with monster heads, his Wristmons… and his Wristmons are scary.
This time, Chaykin took it a step further. He awakened the Likho, terror of fairy tales… fairy tales, you bet! Konstantin Chaykin thought he was having fun. Louis Erard welcomed him with open arms, believing that strength lies in unity. To ward off any ill fate, they crafted a watch with the Likho’s face.
You may remember it — a diptych in two sizes, 42mm and 39mm, with a green hour-circle on the 42mm and purple on the 39mm, to soften the terrible face a little, to exorcise fear, to please everyone. Of course, they were limited editions, each with a talismanic number — twice 178 pieces. In numerology, 178 also symbolizes strength in unity.
This watch was so popular that the whole world knew the face of the monster. So much so that collectors have hunted it down like a trophy. The set containing the first two versions was auctioned at Ineichen in Geneva during the Geneva Watch Days, fetching a price of 20,000 francs!
We thought we were done with it, but it has been nominated for the 2023 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. And Chaykin’s visions? They haven’t disappeared; they’ve worsened — darker, more haunting, after sleepless nights, harassed by collectors. The cannibalistic mouth of the monster resumed ticking, its vengeful finger pointing at the minutes that remained. Its cursed monocle eye with burst veins.
But tell that to watchmakers, and they couldn’t resist. They embraced the vision and crafted a new, even more terrifying monster. If you happen to cross paths with it, don’t look. Legend has it that anyone who meets its gaze at midnight sharp turns to stone or a slug. We still don’t know…
In case you happen to come across it, here’s the description. Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Konstantin Chaykin Dusk to Dawn, limited edition of 178 pieces, price excluding VAT: 4,000 Swiss francs. Available in two versions: 42 mm polished steel case or 39 mm sand-blasted steel case with black PVD treatment, anthracite or black lower plate with sunray wave pattern, shiny white hour disc with black pupil and red blood, matt black star-shaped seconds disc and shiny red hand-shaped minute hand. Black toad leather with red attachment points, red rabbit leather lining. Diptych edition set: limited to 28 pieces. Quadriptych edition set (including the first two editions): limited to 8 pieces.
Vade retro monstrum!
Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Konstantin Chaykin Dusk to Dawn ref. 85237AA89 Technical Specifications
Limited edition of 178 pieces
Price excl. tax: CHF 4,000.—
Movement
- Automatic regulator, Sellita SW266-1 calibre, 11½”’, Ø25.60mm, height: 5.60mm, 31 jewels, 28,800 VpH (4Hz), élaboré grade movement, meticulously decorated, special openworked oscillating weight with black lacquered Louis Erard symbol, approx. 38 hours power reserve
- Functions HMS
- Hour disc at 12 o’clock, central minute hand, seconds disc at 6 o’clock
Case
- Polished stainless steel,
- Ø42mm, lug width: 22mm, lug to lug: 49.60mm, thickness: 12.25mm,
- 3 pieces,
- domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides,
- movement visible through the black transparent caseback,
- water resistant up to a pressure of 5 bars (50 m/165 ft),
- Konstantin Chaykin signature crown,
- caseback engraved with “Limited Edition 1 of 178”
Dial
- Matt black hour-circle,
- anthracite lower plate with sunray wave pattern,
- anthracite circular satin-finished hour flange,
- shiny red seconds flange,
- white transfers,
- circular satin-finished cartouches with logos transferred in white (Louis Erard at 6 o’clock and Konstantin Chaykin at 12 o’clock)
Hands
- Shiny white hour disc with black pupil and red blood (transfers),
- matt black star-shaped seconds disc,
- shiny red hand-shaped minute hand
Strap
- Black toad leather with red attachment points,
- red rabbit leather lining,
- polished stainless steel pin buckle,
- functional catch spring bars enabling the strap to be changed quickly
- Dimensions: 22/20mm width, 80/115mm length
Collaboration Watch developed in collaboration with Konstantin Chaykin in a limited edition of 178 pieces
Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Konstantin Chaykin Dusk to Dawn ref. 85248NN90 Technical Specifications
Limited edition of 178 pieces
Price excl. tax: CHF 4,000.—
Movement
- Automatic regulator, Sellita SW266-1 calibre,
- 11½”’, Ø25.60mm, height: 5.60mm,
- 31 jewels, 28,800 VpH (4Hz),
- élaboré grade movement, meticulously decorated, special openworked oscillating weight with black lacquered Louis Erard symbol,
- approx. 38 hours power reserve
- Functions HMS
- Hour disc at 12 o’clock, central minute hand, seconds disc at 6 o’clock
Case
- Sand-blasted stainless steel with black PVD treatment,
- Ø39 mm, lug width: 20mm, lug to lug: 45.90mm, thickness: 12.82mm,
- 3 pieces,
- domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides,
- movement visible through the red transparent caseback,
- water resistant up to a pressure of 5 bars (50 m/165 ft),
- Konstantin Chaykin signature crown,
- caseback engraved with “Limited Edition 1 of 178”
Dial
- Matt black hour-circle with logos transferred in white (Louis Erard at 6 o’clock and Konstantin Chaykin at 12 o’clock),
- black lower plate with sunray wave pattern,
- black circular satin-finished hour flange with white transfers,
- shiny red seconds flange
Hands
- Shiny white hour disc with black pupil and red blood (transfers),
- matt black star-shaped seconds disc,
- shiny red hand-shaped minute hand
Strap
- Black toad leather with red attachment points,
- red rabbit leather lining,
- sand-blasted stainless steel with black PVD treatment pin buckle,
- functional catch spring bars enabling the strap to be changed quickly
- Dimensions: 20/18mm width, 80/115mm length
Collaboration Watch developed in collaboration with Konstantin Chaykin in a limited edition of 178 pieces
ABOUT KONSTANTIN CHAYKIN
The Konstantin Chaykin watch Manufacture was founded in 2003. It specialises in producing complicated, intricate Haute Horlogerie and collector’s pieces. Its founder is the world-famous watchmaker and inventor Konstantin Chaykin. He was the first watchmaker in Russia to produce both clocks and wristwatches with tourbillons, and the first in the world to make a Computus clock indicating the dates of Orthodox Easter. Konstantin Chaykin has 94 registered patents – more than any other watchmaker in the world.
The entire Konstantin Chaykin collection is based on the master’s own inventions and embodies the creative freedom and progressive spirit of philosophy, design and technology.
In 2010 Konstantin Chaykin became the first and, so far, the only Russian member of the Watchmaking Academy of Independent Creators (AHCI – Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants). From 2016 to 2019 he served as the President of the Academy.
In 2017, Konstantin Chaykin watches were for the first time shortlisted for the prestigious Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. In 2018, the Clown wristwatch was awarded the Audacity prize at the GPHG. The Joker Automaton (2018), the Minotaur (2021) and the Harley Quinn (2022) models were also shortlisted.
Konstantin Chaykin’s works are a fixture of the renowned Only Watch auction. In 2021, the Martian Tourbillon became the most expensive Russianmade watch ever sold. In 2023, the Stargazer became the most complicated watch of the auction.
ABOUT LOUIS ERARD
Based in the Jura mountains, the birthplace of watchmaking, Louis Erard embodies the values of Swiss mechanics, the tradition that keeps its promises. Combining luxury, timelessness and elegance, this independent brand is renowned for its mechanical watches and, in particular, its iconic regulators. A collection on which the brand, founded by Mr Louis Erard in 1929, built its reputation.
Today, under the impetus of Manuel Emch, the company continues the work of its founder and honours the watchmaking tradition by reinterpreting the codes in a contemporary language, revisiting its métiers d’art and opening up its field of expression through collaborations and exchanges of know-how. Louis Erard continues to set itself apart from mass-market brands. Inspired by high-end watchmaking, the brand draws on its values to enhance its mechanical timepieces.