Twenty-five years – 1 / 4 of a century – is a very long time. But it surely’s not that lengthy for a watch producer. In 1996, Chopard’s co-president Karl-Friedrich Scheufele proudly launched Caliber 1.96 to the world, his model’s very first in-house motion. And that should appear to be yesterday to him.
Chopard L.U.C Reference 1860 from 1997
Even by at this time’s requirements, Caliber 1.96 continues to be a gem of a motion, that includes an exquisite gold micro rotor, swan-neck regulator, and refined ending. It was additionally the motion in Reference 1860, a watch that appeared in 1997, setting a brand new tempo for this firm and setting it down an excellent path for which I imagine Chopard doesn’t get sufficient credit score. Scheufele’s achievement is real.
Chopard L.U.C Caliber 1.96
Two private L.U.C favorites from 25 years of Chopard Manufacture
I wouldn’t be stunned if these 25 years flew by for Scheufele. 1 / 4 of a century is just not that lengthy within the watch trade, however Chopard has made them depend. After Chopard’s decisive step with Caliber 1.96, the corporate picked up the tempo, constructing a greater than spectacular assortment of calibers.
Chopard L.U.C XPS Twist QF
Discussing all of the actions and watches they energy may fill a e-book, however I’d like to call two of my private favorites, the primary one being the L.U.C XPS Twist of 2019. This up to date gown watch is powered by Caliber L.U.C 96.09 however has a number of facets which are vital to the event of Chopard’s manufacture.
Chopard L.U.C XPS Twist QF micro rotor motion
To start with, this slender watch (simply 7.2 mm in top) has a beneficiant energy reserve of 65 hours because of serially working stacked mainspring barrels, which Chopard calls its Twin Know-how. In different Chopard actions, there are even 4 stacked mainspring barrels ensuing an much more spectacular energy reserve, which the corporate calls – you guessed it – Quattro.
The Chopard L.U.C XPS Twist additionally has the Qualité Fleurier (QF) hallmark, which signifies that the watch has gone by means of a complete testing regime solely obtainable for watches made within the Swiss city of Fleurier. The testing focuses on each efficiency and aesthetic excellence.
Chopard L.U.C Lunar One from 2005
Whereas Chopard has confirmed that it continues to excel within the very pure watch designs attribute of the L.U.C assortment, problems exist there as effectively. The L.U.C Lunar One stays for me probably the most lovely perpetual calendars in existence. Its design is basic and sporty abruptly, extremely legible, and it stays charming to at the present time.
Chopard Caliber 96.13-L
Initially launched in 2005, its Caliber 96.13-L appears to be like very like the 1.96, strongly retaining the “DNA” of the road whereas transferring resolutely ahead into the longer term.
Twenty-five years is a very long time
One in all Chopard’s most outstanding achievements is that in these 25 years the model has saved its eye on the ball and didn’t as soon as mishit. Traits had little to no impact on the gathering, with Scheufele and his workforce preserving a gentle course. It was all about refining each the actions and designs, preserving them recognizable, trusting the facility of evolution, however on the similar time persevering with to push the envelope.
Chopard LUC Full Strike minute repeater
In 2016, Chopard celebrated the 20 th anniversary of Chopard Manufacture with the L.U.C Full Strike, which takes all that this assortment was recognized for to the following stage, together with sapphire crystal gongs for the minute repeater. A tour de power that gained Chopard the coveted Aiguille d’Or on the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in 2017.
It’s fairly straightforward to look solely on the – admittedly grandiose – complication with this watch, however the L.U.C Full Strike is far more than that. It’s the embodiment of the ambition that Chopard had – and nonetheless has – when it grew to become a manufacture. It was not pushed by a need to exchange third-party actions with one thing of their very own however relatively a deep perception in innovation and originality.
Celebrating 25 years of Chopard Manufacture
So how does Chopard have fun 1 / 4 century of manufacture actions? By launching 9 totally different fashions, every highlighting a special facet of the gathering. I discover two of them particularly vital for various causes. The primary is the L.U.C QF Jubilee, a sporty but elegant watch that includes a two-tone dial in a 39 mm stainless-steel case.
Chopard L.U.C QF Jubilee (photograph courtesy Chopard/Federal Studio)
Though the model has solely made 25 examples, I believe that it’s an vital watch because it shows the way forward for the gown watch. Its design is relatively intelligent, distinctly Chopard with a retro contact, but in addition boasting a recent attraction. Mixed with Caliber 96.09-L, the L.U.C QF Jubilee affords a mouth-watering proposition.
The L.U.C QF Jubilee is the kind of watch that represents the essence of Chopard’s L.U.C and underscores its significance to the watch trade as an entire. In 1996 the gown watch was already dying. Luxurious was quickly turning into much less formal, but it was manufacturers like Chopard who saved believing in a future for this section of the market. I really feel that we’re on the verge of Chopard being confirmed proper because the timeless class that such watches possess is lastly being extra broadly acknowledged once more – and much more importantly, loved on the wrist once more.
Shock!
All through the 25 years of L.U.C, Chopard has at all times loved shocking us with new creations that we simply didn’t see coming. The L.U.C Full Strike is an ideal instance of this, but in addition the L.U.C Louis-Ulysse – The Tribute, which could possibly be loved as each a wristwatch and a pocket watch again in 2010 when it was launched.
Chopard L.U.C Louis Ulysse – The Tribute from 2010
The L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 of 2021 is alongside this line because the very first leap hour watch to be a part of Chopard’s manufacture assortment. It’s fairly a daring design with a 40 mm case fabricated from moral 18-karat pink gold that’s practically all dial. The oven-fired enamel dial is sort of an asset. I at all times love the understated gloss of this materials, which supplies a milky play of sunshine. That is fairly gorgeous, notably in distinction with the wealthy look of the gold case.
Chopard L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25
A leap hour is sort of a difficult means of displaying the time because it wants a number of instantaneous torque. Right here, Chopard’s Quattro expertise comes into play: because of the 4 stacked mainspring barrels in units of two, it has an influence reserve of a formidable eight days. This provides an unbelievable cool issue to the watch along with being pleasantly practical.
Right here once more we see that purity of design so prevalent within the L.U.C assortment. It follows the “much less is extra” philosophy however in a extra comfy and splendid means. It isn’t sober and dressed down, however relatively elegant and wishes nothing added.
That mentioned, I can stay up for seeing Chopard proceed its quest with the L.U.C assortment because it undoubtedly could have extra unbelievable watches for us within the close to future.
For extra info, please go to chopard.com/intl/l-u-c-qf-jubilee and chopard.com/intl/l-u-c-quattro-spirit-25.
Fast Information Chopard L.U.C QF Jubilee
Case: 39 x 8.92 mm, stainless-steel, 30 m water resistance
Motion: automated Caliber L.U.C 96.09-L with micro rotor, 3.3 mm excessive, 4Hz/28,800 vph frequency, twin spring barrels, 65-hour energy reserve, formally C.O.S.C. chronometer and Qualité Fleurier licensed
Capabilities: hours, minutes, seconds
Limitation: 25 items
Worth: $14,500 / €14,500
Fast Information Chopard L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25
Case: 40 x 10.3 mm, 18-karat moral pink gold, 30 m water resistance
Motion: manually wound Caliber L.U.C 98.06-L, 4.85 mm excessive, 4Hz/28,800 vph frequency, 4 spring barrels, 192-hour energy reserve, Geneva Seal
Capabilities: leap hours, minutes
Limitation: 100 items
Worth: $44,700 / €44,500
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