Hands-On With Four Versions Of The Louis Erard 2340 In Steel And Titanium  

What can you do in Le Noirmont, a town of 1,629 inhabitants situated in the Swiss canton of Jura? You can go for a hike in the mountains surrounding the village. And if you’re into watches, a visit to the Musée de la Boîte de Montre (The Watch Case Museum) is a good idea. It’s in a completely renovated former atelier and presents visitors with two workshops typical of the region — a case-assembly workshop from the 1850s and a mechanized factory from the 1920s. What else can you do in Le Noirmont? Visit Louis Erard. The brand has established a reputation as a guardian of regulator watches in various styles. Now, there’s the Louis Erard 2340, an integrated-bracelet sports watch named after the postal code. Enter “2340” into your navigation system, and it will direct you there, allowing you to go hands-on with four versions of the Louis Erard 2340.

We didn’t travel to Le Noirmont to go hands-on with the new 2340. Instead, Louis Erard sent us the watches using Fratello’s postcode, 2516 AH. The package contained four versions of the Louis Erard 2340 — three in mint green, deep blue, and slate blue, plus one of the 178 limited-edition examples with Astro Boy on the dial.

Hands-on with four versions of the Louis Erard 2340 in steel and titanium

Not too long ago, I wrote a story in which I asked brands to stop releasing sports watches with integrated bracelets — especially newcomers that had no history in the field. In response, MeisterSinger sent a Kaenos Open Date to change my mind. That watch pleasantly surprised me. When I learned that Louis Erard unveiled its first-ever integrated-bracelet watch, my skepticism immediately kicked in. However, I recognized my negative reflex and decided to postpone judgment until after I had a hands-on experience with the 2340.

Each watch’s brushed and polished case measures 40mm wide, 8.95mm thick, and 41.5mm long. The case middle is made of brushed titanium, while the “lugs,” bezel, and crown are executed in polished steel. The non-display case back is also stainless steel, but it has a mostly brushed finish and a polished bevel around the edge. Other notable features are a domed sapphire crystal with antireflective treatment on both sides and a 50m water resistance rating. The tapered integrated bracelet features oblong, polished steel intermediate links that catch the light, while the larger brushed titanium links are more subdued, giving the bracelet a subtle two-tone, functional finish. This bracelet closes with a spring-blade butterfly clasp.

Behind the case back beats a movement that’s new to the Louis Erard lineup, the automatic Sellita SW300-1. The 25-jewel caliber has a 25.6mm diameter, a 3.6mm thickness, and a 4Hz frequency (28,800 vibrations per hour). Louis Erard selected the élaboré grade for this movement, ensuring elevated precision and finishing throughout, even though you won’t be able to enjoy its aesthetics. You need to trust us when we say the movement features an open-worked oscillating weight adorned with a black-lacquered Louis Erard symbol. The rotor helps the caliber achieve an approximate 56-hour power reserve.

Three colors and one character

The watch debuts with three regular-production dials and one limited version. First up are the watches that aren’t limited by production. The Mint version features an oblong “pill” motif, a playful nod both to the “medical” color and to the capsule emblem at 3 o’clock. Then, there are Slate and Blue models. These watches’ dials showcase a linear texture inspired by the bracelet’s central links, tying the entire design language together. These two watches feature a complete, visually integrated look.

The fourth version is the limited edition with Astro Boy on the dial. Created by Osamu Tezuka, the legendary “father of manga,” Astro Boy first appeared in 1951 as a supporting character in the weekly comic Atom Taishi before becoming the star of a separate series. An android built to combat injustice with both courage and compassion, he was designed to resemble a human child. Despite his mechanical origins, it was Astro Boy’s humanity that made him unforgettable.

Astro Boy flies on the outside of a multilayered dial, using applied elements to create real depth, volume, and relief. He’s propelled by his iconic red rocket boots and trailed by swirling plumes of smoke. Behind him, the dark gray background reveals additional layers of storytelling. Details of the futuristic Metro City and even a robot bearing the LE emblem are stamped on two levels.

Don’t think about other integrated-bracelet sports watches

Louis Erard attempted to be original with its 2340, but the constraints of the integrated-bracelet sports watch are clearly evident. Perhaps the brand also didn’t want to push the limits too far since it also wants to sell these watches. The Slate and Blue versions are the most conventional, with their horizontally striped dials and colors that evoke the icons in this genre.

The Mint model is the most adventurous of the regular-production versions. I didn’t make a medical association with the color and shapes on the dial; instead, I thought of an overheating movement under the dial that makes the paint bubble. The pattern on the mint-green dial also echoes the polished parts in the bracelet and on the sides of the case. But the 178-piece Astro Boy limited edition is the fun outlier and my favorite iteration of the 2340 because its original dial helps put other integrated-bracelet sports watches out of mind.

Wearing the postal code on the wrist

The proportions of the watch are spot on, and its slim 8.95mm profile feels very luxurious. Also, the bracelet, made of 92 individual components, feels solid and wears comfortably. Because Louis Erard chose to use a mixture of titanium and steel, the 2340 is neither too heavy nor too light.

My full-steel 40mm Tissot PRX weighs 132 grams, while the steel-titanium 2340 comes in at 92 grams. It’s heavy enough to feel luxurious yet light enough to be special.

The three non-limited versions of the Louis Erard 2340 (Blue, ref. 35123TA01.BMT12 / Slate, ref. 35123TA02.BMT12 / Mint, ref. 35123TA11.BMT12) cost CHF 2,990, while the limited-edition Louis Erard × Astro Boy (ref. 35123TA23.BMT12) costs CHF 3,990. Both prices exclude taxes.

Late to the party?

Yes, Louis Erard is a little late to the party, but at least the brand brought pills. Sorry, that was a bad joke, but I just took an aspirin after an intense Saturday night out. Anyway, the mint-green version is my favorite of the non-limited models, and I like the mix of steel and titanium for its looks and comfort. The price for the regular-production versions is quite fair as well. But I think the limited edition, which is precisely a grand more expensive, might be a bit too pricey, even though I like it. That said, Astro Boy must surely have 178 affluent watch-loving fans worldwide to make the limited edition a success.

Now, what are your thoughts on the four versions of the Louis Erard 2340 in steel and titanium? Are they too little, too late, or are they too good not to be released? Please let me know in the comments.