Le Regulateur Louis Erard Konstantin Chaykin Time Eater III

April 22, 2015

Lets start with a riddle. What has one eye, one mouth, two hands, and a rebellious soul? You got it - the Le Regulateur Louis Erard Konstantin Chaykin Time Eater III. The million-dollar question is whether humor belongs in luxury watchmaking, but when it looks good, it doesnt matter if you think the watch is funny or not. And although theres no accounting for taste, Louis Erard s characteristic regulator layout and Konstantin Chaykin s wildly colorful and graphic dials work very well together. After a previous and successful collaboration, the duo is back with two 178-piece limited-edition watches - a 42mm version showing a blue minute ring, sold exclusively through Louis Erard, and a 39mm version with a red minute ring around the outside of the dial, sold only by Konstantin Chaykin.Some WristMonsters are rarer than others. While the 39mm and 42mm Le Regulateur Louis Erard Konstantin Chaykin Time Eater III models are limited to 178 pieces, the 39mm watch (ref. 85248AA90.BVA150) is more elusive. There are no pictures of it yet. Only the 42mm version (ref. 85237AA90.BGA087) with a blue minute ring has been documented so far, but it s okay because the watches share so many features, like the movement and the price of CHF 4,450 (ex. taxes). Its OK for now, but we want to see proof of the 39mms existence at some point.Introducing the Le Regulateur Louis Erard Konstantin Chaykin Time Eater IIIBoth Le Regulateur Louis Erard Konstantin Chaykin Time Eater III editions have a most expressive look. The vertical regulator layout and Konstantin Chaykins mischievous WristMonster design make for a very original, stylized dial. At the 12 oclock position, a hypnotic mono-eye tracks the hours.At 6, a rotating, toothed mouth shows that the watch is running. The central curved minute hand ties everything together and seemingly sweeps up time from the dial.The shiny stainless steel 42mm version has a 12.25mm thickness and a 49.6mm lug-to-lug length. Between the lugs, Louis Erard squeezed a 22mm black toad leather strap with quick-release spring bars. The strap tapers to 20mm at the stainless steel pin buckle and shows blue stitching and a blue rabbit leather lining. The version sold by Chaykin might have a smaller 39mm case, but its 12.82mm profile means its thicker than the 42mm Time Eater III. It also has a 45.9mm lug-to-lug length. Between the lugs sits a black grained calfskin strap with tone-on-tone stitching and a black calfskin lining. It tapers from 20mm between the lugs to 18mm at the buckle.Both Time Eaters are limited to 178 monstersBoth cases have a 5-bar (50m) water resistance rating, and the three-part constructions feature a domed sapphire crystal with antireflective treatment on both sides. Fittingly, both watches also have a signed Konstantin Chaykin crown and case back engraved with the inscription Limited Edition 1 of 178.Don t fear this time-eating WristMonster. Instead, wear it like any normal watch. Yes, it s a very outspoken timepiece, but that s also the point. Admittedly, the 42mm case is a tad big on the wrist. I do like the look of the red Chaykin version a little more, and I think it would even fit my 18cm wrist better. In any case, the watch has a lot of wrist presence. And it will scare your conservative watch friends in all kinds of ways, which is a big bonus.The Time Eater ate a Sellita!Inside both Time Eater III models beats the automatic regulator-type Sellita caliber SW266-1. This 31-jewel 4Hz movement measures 25.6mm in diameter and 5.6mm thick. It also shows its decorated parts through a display case back, revealing an open-worked rotor bearing a black lacquered Louis Erard symbol. The WristMonsters movement runs out of breath after approximately 38 hours. Thats not a scary-long time.Do you remember the 2023 Le Regulateur Louis Erard Konstantin Chaykin watches that came in green and purple? Theyre long gone. Just so you know, the Le Regulateur Louis Erard Konstantin Chaykin? Time Eater III is the final edition of this very particular regulator series. Once these two are gone, theyll be gone forever, never to be seen again. For some, that s a relief, while for others, it s a regrettable missed opportunity. Anyway, we warned you about this WristMonster!Please head over to Louis Erard and Konstantin Chaykin s official websites for more information.Watch specifications Brand Louis Erard Model Le Regulateur Louis Erard Konstantin Chaykin Time Eater IIIReference 85237AA90.BGA087 (42mm) / 85248AA90.BVA150 (39mm)Dial Silver-toned plate with sunburst wave pattern, shiny blue or red minute ring with logos transferred in white (Louis Erard at 6 o'clock and Konstantin Chaykin at 12 o'clock), anthracite circular satin-finished hour flange with white transfers, shiny red or blue seconds flange Case Material Polished stainless steelCase Dimensions 42mm (diameter) 49.6mm (lug-to-lug) 12.25mm (thickness) / 39mm (diameter) 45.9mm (lug-to-lug) 12.82mm (thickness) Crystal Domed sapphire with antireflective treatment on both sidesCase Back Stainless steel and sapphire crystal with engraved Limited Edition 1 of 178 inscription Movement Sellita SW266-1: automatic with manual winding and hacking, 28,800vph frequency, 38-hour power reserve, 31 jewelsWater Resistance 5 bar (50 meters)Strap Black toad leather (22/20mm) with blue stitching, blue rabbit leather lining, stainless steel pin buckle, quick-release spring bars (blue 42mm version) / Black grained calf leather (20/18mm) with tone-on-tone stitching and black calf leather lining (red 39mm version)Functions Time (hours, minutes, running indicator) in regulator stylePrice CHF 4,450 (ex. VAT) Special Note(s) Both references are limited editions of 178 pieces