Louis Erard was born in 1893 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, a city in the Swiss Jura region that is known for its watchmaking heritage. He began his career in the watch industry as an apprentice at a young age and eventually went on to start his own watchmaking school and casing company in 1929.

Production of branded watches began in 1931. In 1956 he obtained authorisation to manufacture movements, an exclusive privilege reserved for the elite of Swiss watchmaking. The Peseux 7001 movement was released in 1971 and it features a regulator and power-reserve indicator. This layout remains today and is used in many recent collaborations utilising the avant grade regulator layout of hands and dial.

In 2003, the Louis Erard brand was acquired by a group of watch industry professionals led by Alain Spinedi. Under Spinedi’s leadership, the brand has continued to thrive, producing a range of classic and contemporary timepieces that reflect the brand’s rich heritage and commitment to excellence.

Today, Louis Erard is known for its mechanical watches, which are designed and manufactured in-house at the brand’s headquarters in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The brand offers a range of different styles and complications, from classic dress watches to sporty chronographs and modern, avant-garde designs. Despite the challenges that the Swiss watch industry has faced over the years, Louis Erard remains a symbol of Swiss watchmaking excellence.

Alain Spinedi

Born in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland in 1957. He grew up in a family of watchmakers, and his passion for watches led him to study at the Ecole d’Horlogerie in La Chaux-de-Fonds.

After completing his studies, Spinedi began his career in the watch industry, working for brands such as Omega and Audemars Piguet. He gained extensive experience in sales and marketing, as well as in product development and manufacturing.

In 1997, Spinedi joined the Swatch Group, one of the largest watch conglomerates in the world. He worked for the group for several years, eventually rising to the position of CEO of the Swatch brand.

In 2003, Spinedi left the Swatch Group to pursue a new challenge: the acquisition and revitalization of the Louis Erard watch brand. Along with a group of watch industry professionals, Spinedi purchased the struggling brand and set out to restore its reputation for quality and innovation.

Under Spinedi’s leadership, Louis Erard has experienced a renaissance, producing a range of high-quality mechanical watches that combine traditional Swiss watchmaking techniques with modern design and technology. The brand has won numerous awards and accolades for its watches and has gained a loyal following among collectors and enthusiasts around the world.

In addition to his work at Louis Erard, Spinedi is also a respected figure in the Swiss watch industry, serving on the board of directors of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry, and playing an active role in promoting and advancing the industry as a whole.