Chopard Returns To A Basic With The L.U.C. 1860 In Lucent Metal

In 1997, Chopard launched the L.U.C. Assortment — a sequence of watches crafted in Chopard’s Geneva and Fleurier workshops. The L.U.C. line embraces artisanal crafts, like guilloché and Urushi Maki-e dials, mixed with modern and infrequently difficult actions. In different phrases, the L.U.C. Assortment is pure Haute Horlogerie. The primary watch to debut inside this high-end assortment was the L.U.C. 1860, a watch that instantly garnered accolades, equivalent to profitable “Watch of the Yr” by Montres Ardour. For Watches and Wonders 2023, Chopard returns to this contemporary basic with a brand new L.U.C. 1860 in a Lucent Metal case and solid-gold guilloché dial.

The case on the brand new L.U.C. 1860 measures in at an aesthetic 36.5mm diameter and is crafted from Chopard’s proprietary Lucent Metal. This alloy is comprised of 80% recycled supplies and its properties are much like these of surgical metal, albeit with a brilliance you gained’t discover with customary 316L chrome steel.

The metal case, although refined and stylish in its personal proper, offers a visible counterpoint to the dial, which is pure luxurious. The dial is crafted from stable gold, however a galvanic remedy offers the dial a salmon hue. The contrasting finishes give the dial a dynamic, three-dimensional look. Chopard contains finely guilloched rings to demarcate the minutes scale, central zone, and small seconds counter, whereas utilizing a hand-guillochéd radiating sample to encompass the Chopard emblem on a cartouche at 12 o’clock. The chapter ring receives satin brushing and the small seconds counter makes use of snailing. That’s an unimaginable quantity of element and hand-finishing. Popping in opposition to the salmon backdrop are white gold chevron indices, complemented by a facetted white gold Dauphine handset.

The L.U.C. 1860 is powered by the L.U.C. 96.40-L motion produced the Chopard Manufacture watchmaking workshop. The motion is extremely skinny at simply 3.3mm, thanks largely to the off-center 22-carat gold micro-rotor that winds the dual barrels that present 65 hours of energy reserve. Chopard has additionally added a stop-second operate and a swan’s-neck index meeting, which helps to calibrate the lively size of the stability spring.

The motion is simply as beautiful as you’d count on from Chopard. Although the micro-rotor is the centerpiece, you additionally get chamfered bridges and ample Côtes de Genève ending. That stated, the L.U.C. 1860 is greater than only a fairly face; it’s additionally chronometer-certified by COSC and receives the Poinçon de Genève high quality label. The latter certification is especially spectacular, with unbiased certification that ensures the standard of watches assembled inside the Canton — a certification sometimes reserved for treasured metallic watches and barely utilized to steel-cased watches. However, as is clearly the case, the Chopard L.U.C. 1860 isn’t your typical metal watch.

The brand new L.U.C. 1860 in Lucent Metal is a becoming tribute to the unique L.U.C. 1860, showcasing the model’s dedication to each high-end watchmaking and conventional craftsmanship. The dial alone is completely mesmerizing, made much more so when mixed with the refinement of the micro-rotor motion.

Chopard was unable to offer pricing info forward of press time. For extra info on Chopard and the L.U.C. 1860, please go to the model’s web site.