Louis Erard x Monica Bonvicini "Not For You"

For the 14th edition of Art Genève, Louis Erard introduces its third artist watch with Monica Bonvicini. Graphic. Architectural. Slightly provocative. Edited by “The Gallerist of Time”, the piece adapts one of Bonvicini’s emblematic sculpture for the wrist. Glamour meets rock. A mirrored message hits hard. Limited edition of 178 pieces.

This collaboration is part of our strategy to work with contemporary artists and to spotlight women in the creative field. I’ve been following Monica’s work for many years. We first met at Art Basel, and I later visited her studio in Berlin, where we became friends. That personal connection is essential to any true collaboration.” Manuel Emch.

How to fit a monumental artwork into a watch

Translating an artist’s universe is always a challenge. Doing so for a visual artist whose works are monumental and immersive is even more difficult.

Monica Bonvicini’s sculptures are often brutal, darkly humorous, and uncompromising. They question authority, power, and gender stereotypes. Her black-and-white world, made of scaffolding, tools, chains, leather, and metal, finds a precise and powerful expression in this 39 mm watch created with Louis Erard.

Every detail counts. It is up to the attentive eye to decode them. With its 39 mm case and two strap sizes, this is a unisex watch that, like the artist’s work, blurs traditional gender boundaries.

A radical aesthetic and a strong message

How should we understand ‘Time is not for you’? Time is made of things that begin and end. Why desire it when we are already living it?” Monica Bonvicini.

The Louis Erard team captured the spirit of “not for you”, translating the artist’s signature codes through black, steel, and leather.

“not for you” is a bold statement. It challenges us to reflect on our relationship with others. Since 2006, Bonvicini has displayed it on walls in neon or mirror letters, simultaneously confronting and rejecting the viewer.

I love her architectural language in three dimensions. The way she turns text, words, and slogans into sculptural objects that express strong opinions and feminist critique. In the same way, an artist watch is first and foremost a three-dimensional sculptural object. With our watches, we try to create a language, an architecture.” Manuel Emch.

On the dial, the mirror-polished text reflects whoever looks at it, as if asking, “And you? How do you behave?”

The typography stands out against a matte Clou de Paris dial, creating texture and depth. The guilloché pattern, a classic of traditional watchmaking, nods to Bonvicini’s universe, where nails, leather, and black recur throughout her work. Rhodium-plated, tapered hands cut across the dial, emphasizing the message as if it were a sculpture.

On the caseback, “not for you” is rendered in mirror-polished metallic letters beneath sapphire glass. “Louis Erard x Monica Bonvicini” and “Limited Edition 1 of 178” underline the exclusivity and rarity of this collector’s watch.

Stronger together: collaboration and art as a philosophy

Louis Erard cultivates a distinctive, unconventional vision of independent watchmaking, defined by boldness rather than price. From its base in Noirmont, Switzerland, the brand has shared this contemporary, nonconformist outlook worldwide through collaborations that explore the intersections of watchmaking, design, art, and pop culture.

Unexpected and prestigious collaborations with independent watchmakers (Alain Silberstein in 2018, Konstantin Chaykin, Vianney Halter), innovative artisans, and contemporary artists (Olivier Mosset, Sylvie Fleury), all initiated by art collector Manuel Emch, have secured Louis Erard a unique place in the world of independent watchmaking.

Through this artistic curation, expressing a singular and engaged vision, Louis Erard has connected with watch and art enthusiasts across Europe, the United States, Singapore, and Japan.

Produced in 178 pieces, a symbolic number representing “Stronger Together” in Chinese culture, these watches are collectible works of art.

Technical specifications

Louis Erard x Monica Bonvicini "Not For You"

Reference: 34242AA02.BVAS28

Limited edition of 178 pieces

Case

• Material: Polished stainless steel
• Diameter: 39 mm
• Lug-to-lug: 45.9 mm
• Thickness: 12.82 mm
• Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
• “not for you” is rendered in mirror-polished metallic letters beneath sapphire glass.
• Signature fir tree crown
• Movement visible through the transparent crystal caseback.
• Caseback engraved with “Louis Erard x Monica Bonvicini - Limited Edition 1 of 178”.
• Water-resistant up to a pressure of 5 bars (50 m / 165 ft)

Dial and hands

• Dial: Inspired by Monica Bonvicini’s artworks. Black Clous de Paris guilloché with a central black mirror-polished “not for you” appliqué.
• Hands: Rhodium-plated hands

Movement

• Automatic, Sellita SW261-1 caliber, 2 hands
• Diameter: 11 ½ lignes, 25.6 mm
• Height: 5.6 mm
• Number of jewels: 31
• Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
• Elaborated grade movement, carefully decorated
• Specially openworked rotor with black lacquered Louis Erard symbol
• Power reserve of 38 hours

Functions/Indications

• Central hour and minutes hands

Strap and buckle

• Black Baranil calfskin leather with tone-on-tone stitching at the lugs and black grained calfskin lining.
• Polished stainless steel pin buckle.
• Quick-release spring bars for easy strap changes.
• Dimensions: 20/18 mm width, 65/105 mm length.
• Supplied with an additional larger strap: 20/18 mm width, 80/115 mm length.
• Lug width: 20 mm

MSRP: CHF 3'900 (excl. taxes)

For more information, please visit louiserard.com