Louis Erard X Astro Boy: when watchmaking meets pop culture

With the new Louis Erard x Astro Boy, the Swiss Maison opens an unprecedented chapter in its history. It marks the brand’s first-ever cultural collaboration, introducing the 2340 line to a new creative territory — one where fine watchmaking meets pop culture.

Produced in 178 numbered pieces, this timepiece was created in partnership with Tezuka Productions, guardian of the legacy of legendary Japanese artist Osamu Tezuka, the creator of Astro Boy. Beneath its playful aesthetic lies a deeper reflection on the relationship between humanity and technology, between past and future.

ASTRO BOY: A HERO MORE HUMAN THAN HUMANS

Created in 1952 by the “father of manga” Osamu Tezuka, Astro Boy is a small android born from the grief of a father who sought to replace his lost son. Transformed into a hero, he became a universal symbol of justice, empathy, and hope — a robot more human than humans.

Over time, his image transcended Japan, becoming a global icon of pop culture and of coexistence between humans and machines. Louis Erard celebrates this legacy by translating it into a watch that merges Japanese heritage with Swiss savoir-faire, bringing an artistic dimension that extends far beyond the mere function of time.

“This project represents the first step in a new creative direction, explains Manuel Emch, Artistic Director of Louis Erard. With the 2340, we want to create a language that speaks to the icons of our generation — comics, video games, visual culture. Astro Boy is only the beginning.”

THE DESIGN: A SCENE IN MOTION

The dial of the Louis Erard x Astro Boy is conceived as a three-dimensional stage. Its base, decorated with an engraved ‘Metro City’ motif and a vertical satin-brushed finish, sets the scene. In the foreground, Astro Boy is applied in relief, not printed, brought to life through multi-colored pad printing that adds vibrancy and depth.

In the background, one of the series’ classic villains emerges in satin black, while the minute track runs along a brushed circular rehaut printed in white and illuminated with Super-LumiNova SLN-C1 blue emission. The dial construction layers three applied elements (Astro Boy, the robot, and the inner flange) over a two-level engraved base, creating a powerful sense of texture and motion.

The closed caseback features a special engraving dedicated to Astro Boy, completing this tribute to one of Japan’s most beloved cultural icons.

CASE AND MOVEMENT

The new 2340 collection marks a major technical and aesthetic milestone for Louis Erard: it is the first integrated-bracelet series in the Maison’s history. The 40 mm case is crafted from satin-finished titanium with a polished stainless steel bezel, crown, and lugs — a refined combination of lightness and strength. Its 8.95 mm thickness ensures elegant proportions and a comfortable fit on the wrist.

The sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating guarantees optimal legibility, while water resistance is rated at 50 meters. The integrated titanium and steel bracelet alternates brushed and polished finishes and is equipped with a butterfly folding clasp.

Inside beats the automatic Sellita SW300-1 calibre, running at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), offering a power reserve of approximately 56 hours, and featuring an openworked oscillating weight adorned with the black lacquered Louis Erard logo. Functions remain classic — hours, minutes, and central seconds — allowing the narrative power of the dial to take center stage.

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

The Louis Erard x Astro Boy is available in a limited edition of 178 pieces, priced at CHF 3,990 (excluding taxes). A timepiece that fuses art, design, and collective memory, transforming a childhood icon into a wrist-borne symbol of imagination and meaning. A small hero from the past, reminding us to look toward the future — this time, on the wrist.