Haute horlogerie offerings by Chopard
Haute horlogerie maison Chopard has unveiled its Baselworld collection, which – as is usual for the marque – are stunning in their watchmaking excellence. While the L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of the Dragon and the Pearl is breath-taking with its exquisitely refined figurative work, the L.U.C Flying T Twin is a testament to Chopard’s horological skills. The L.U.C Quattro has a remarkable 216-hour power reserve, while measuring just 3.7 mm in thickness. The L.U.C XPS Twist QF carries the Qualité Fleurier certification – currently the hardest to achieve in the Swiss watch industry
L.U.C Flying T Twin
With the new L.U.C Flying T Twin, Chopard is unveiling its first calibre equipped with a flying tourbillon. This technically and aesthetically sophisticated timepiece has a hand-guilloché gold dial and impeccable proportions. This 50-piece limited series is certified by the “Poinçon de Genève” quality hallmark, and comes in a case measuring just 7.2 mm. Nestling inside its ultra-thin 40 mm-diameter case – in 18-carat ethically certified “Fairmined” rose gold – is a new calibre developed specifically for this timepiece and rounding off the exhaustive range of complications featured in L.U.C models. It is regulated by a flying tourbillon as well as being automatic, a double first for Chopard. This chronometer-certified movement also features a stop-seconds device, extremely rare on a tourbillon, and enables perfectly accurate time-setting.
L.U.C Chrono One Flyback
The L.U.C Chrono One Flyback comes in two editions: one in a sober shade of grey, the other in high-impact shades of green. With 100 featuring a Titalyt case and 250 clad in stainless steel, the two limited series of the L.U.C Chrono One Flyback are dissimilar and yet immediately recognisable. Equipped with a calibre developed, crafted and assembled within Chopard Manufacture, L.U.C 03.03-L, this flyback chronograph has a 60-hour power reserve. The two versions measure 42 mm in diameter and are 13.42 mm thick, and feature a case that is water-resistant to 100 metres. In addition, the L.U.C Chrono One Flyback welcomes the aesthetic details of the L.U.C. collection: the Dauphine fusée-type hands enhanced with luminescent material; the faceted arrow-shaped applied hour-markers; the slender understated fonts; along with the L.U.Chopard signature appearing just below 12 o’clock above the Chronometer inscription testifying to the high-precision standards cultivated by the entire L.U.C. collection.
L.U.C Quattro
This elegant L.U.C Quattro timepiece comes as a 50-piece limited edition model. Attired in 18-carat white gold, the time piece has at its heart a grey-green vertical satin-brushed dial punctuated by rhodium-plated hour-markers and Arabic numerals, and is fitted with an impeccably chic matt brown double-sided alligator leather strap. The model features a sub-dial displaying both small seconds and the date at 6 o’clock, exactly opposite the 12 o’clock power-reserve indicator graduated from 1 to 9. An iconic L.U.C Quattro signature, the latter is shaped like a fan unfurled to 180 degrees. The chapter ring is punctuated by two large Arabic numerals at 3 and 9 o’clock, with applied rhodium-plated hour-markers in between. The watch is powered by one of the original Chopard Manufacture movements: Calibre 98.01-L, distinguished by the patented Chopard Quattro Technology. Its two pairs of stacked barrels endow this certified chronometer with a maximum 216-hour power reserve, while taking up remarkably little space given that it measures just 3.7 mm thick – which in turn gives the watch an incomparably slim and elegant profile.
L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of the Dragon and the Pearl
An ancient Chinese myth – of the fabled five-clawed dragons serving the emperor in the quest for the sacred pearl leading to wisdom and knowledge – is expressed through Chopard’s L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of the Dragon and the Pearl timepiece, a one-of-a-kind. This exquisitely refined figurative work in 18-carat rose gold has been crafted to highlight two dragons on the case middle and space between the lugs, chasing after the sacred pearl depicted on the crown. It is also an allegory representing the soul’s elevation to a state of pure consciousness. The solid gold dial and the rose gold bezel and buckle is adorned with an engraved motif drawn from traditional Chinese iconography. The 353-part movement is equipped with a tourbillon regulator whose carriage, carrying the small seconds indicator, rotates once a minute beneath its polished steel bridge at 6 o’clock. The perpetual calendar requires no correction until the year 2100, since only century years divisible by 400 are leap years, making 2100 a common year. To ensure perfect readability of the calendar indications, they are spread over two dials – one at 3 o’clock for the month and leap years and another at 9 o’clock for the day and the 24-hour indication – along with a large twin-aperture date rounding off the symmetry of the dial at 12 o’clock.
L.U.C XP
Attired in steel and enhanced by a satin blue dial with rose gold accents, this ultra-thin, ultra-chic timepiece is much more sophisticated than one might think at first glance. The L.U.C XP steel case, with its 40 mm frame, suits all wrist sizes. The intense blue dial, whose depth is enhanced by the texture of its surface, is deeply satin-brushed and adopts a modern matt finish, while the applied hour-markers, two hands and Arabic numerals shine with a delightfully warm glow. The L.U.C XP comes fitted with a merino wool strap, in addition to a cognac alligator leather strap with brown alligator lining. L.U.C XP is equipped with an ultra-thin L.U.C Calibre 96.53-L. Its automatic winding is carried out by an engraved tungsten micro rotor, the substantial weight of which optimises the winding power. It feeds two superposed barrels, based on Chopard’s patented Twin architecture. Together, they guarantee the L.U.C XP a generous 58 hours of autonomy.
L.U.C XPS Twist QF
With its offset small seconds appearing at 7 o’clock – a signature feature of the Twist series within the L.U.C collection – the L.U.C XPS Twist QF in ethically certified “Fairmined” white gold is issued in a 250-piece limited edition. This is the only model in the L.U.C collection without Arabic numerals at noon, which is replaced by a double facetted hour-marker. The words “Qualité Fleurier” appear beneath the name L.U.C; with this, Chopard is giving fresh impetus to the Fleurier Quality Foundation that it helped create. Currently the hardest to achieve in the Swiss watch industry, the Qualité Fleurier certification involves passing five tests relating to five key qualities. Precision by ensuring that each model is submitted to the COSC. Durability and reliability by means of Chronofiable tests. Precision in actual wear by spending 24 hours on the Fleuritest simulator. Fine craftsmanship, by meeting the finishing criteria of Haute Horlogerie. And finally, manufacturing 100% performed in Switzerland.
The Calibre 96.26-L driving this watch is a variation on Calibre 96.01-L offset by 30 degrees. Like the original movement, it is distinguished by its slim 3.3 mm size, and can be housed in an exceptionally thin case. Its self-winding mechanism is powered by an engraved 22-carat gold micro-rotor that enables optimal efficiency. Calibre 96.26-L powers two stacked barrels based on Chopard’s patented Twin structure. Together, they guarantee 65 hours of running time, an exceptional feat for an ultra-thin timepiece, and enable this calibre to beat with chronometer-certified precision.
Mille Miglia 2019 Race Edition
The Mille Miglia 2019 Race Edition is available in a 250-piece two-tone limited edition in stainless steel and 18-carat rose gold, and as a 1000-piece limited edition in stainless steel. In both options, the watch is first and foremost designed for racing. Alongside its obvious robustness and durability, it features a generous 44-mm case with a screw-in back and water resistance guaranteed to 100 m. The case-back is also engraved with the Mille Miglia logo on a black PVD-treated checkerboard pattern reminiscent of the race commissioner’s flag. This watch is powered by a COSC-certified self-winding chronograph movement with a full two-day power reserve. Operating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, this distinctive ‘engine’ ensures eighth-of-a-second measurement of short times. For those accustomed to eating up the miles, the tachymeter scale engraved on the blackened aluminium insert of the bezel serves to calculate the average speed during the race.
