Steel on Show, Titanium in the Know: Louis Erard 2340

There is a particular thrill when a familiar name turns a corner with poise. The 2340 is that moment for Louis Erard. It is the brand’s first integrated bracelet watch, and it feels like the start of a clear design language rather than a one-off flourish.

The reference nods to Le Noirmont, the Jura village that anchors the maison’s identity, and it introduces a collection built on materials, tactility and long-term relevance rather than scarcity.

The case sets the tone. A titanium core keeps the 40 millimetre profile pleasingly light, while polished stainless steel lugs, bezel, crown and case back deliver a crisp contrast. Four polished gadroons run along the flanks and quietly disguise the bracelet junction, sharpening the silhouette in the process.

On the wrist, the watch is worn in a single form. There is no awkward step or break. It feels considered and modern without shouting about it.

The bracelet is the real tell. Integrated designs live or die on how naturally the case becomes a bracelet, and here the flow is seamless. The construction runs to ninety-two components in total, with forty-six links and interlinks, two end links, thirty-two pins and twelve screws.

Outer links in brushed titanium sit beside polished steel centre links, a subtle play of texture that catches light without becoming flashy. Each link is bevelled by hand after assembly, a slow process with nowhere to hide.

The closure is a spring-loaded butterfly clasp that disappears when fastened, allowing the bracelet to appear as uninterrupted metal. It is a confident statement of intent, and it lands.

Inside, the mechanics are aligned with the brief. This is not pitched as a short-term curiosity, but as a foundational piece. The finishing and tolerances feel designed for daily wear. The 2340 reads as the starting point for a family rather than a one-off.

Dial side, the watch speaks with texture rather than noise. Three colourways are offered, arranged over two distinct motifs. The mint green lacquered dial carries an oblong pill pattern, a neat visual wink to both the shade and the capsule emblem at six o'clock.

The slate blue and deep blue dials switch to a horizontal wave pattern that echoes the rhythm of the bracelet’s centre links.

In every version, floating diamond-cut hour markers and brushed and polished baton hands add clarity and a gentle shimmer as the light moves. A discreet railway track frames the minutes, and the Louis Erard signature is integrated with restraint.

What stands out is the balance of ideas. The materials do the heavy lifting, and the details knit those materials together. The bracelet feels engineered first and decorative second.

The case architecture is refined enough for a dinner jacket yet robust enough for a long week. The dials are expressive but not loud. It is a welcome expression of sporty and chic that invites everyday wear rather than special occasion status.

For collectors who care about the conversation around integrated design, the 2340 is a thoughtful entry. It respects the greats without imitation, and it puts craft at the centre.

For those who simply want a handsome, well-made watch that will not tire, it delivers that as well. The headline may be a new bracelet, a new case and a new movement, but the real story is cohesion. The 2340 looks and feels like the beginning of something.