Pre-Baselworld 2014: Four new Chopard timepieces.

Ten days before the official opening of Baselworld 2014 I can show you today four of the major Chopard novelties. Among them a real superb chronometer, I personally like very much… Please click on “read more” 

Welcome back guys to my ongoing Baselworld 2014 previews. Today I am proud to present you Chopard. I recommend you take some time, since there are four pages to discover. And please after that let me know if you especially liked the L.U.C 1963, the first timepiece shown here…

Chopard L.U.C 1963

The L.U.C 1963 pays tribute to the proud tradition of fine watchmaking that represents Chopard’s aesthetic and technical roots, as well as to the spirit of high-precision timing or ‘chronometry’ to which the company remains firmly committed. Chopard indeed submits many of its models to the certification process conducted by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute) and is also a significant beneficiary of the prestigious Poinçon de Genève (Geneva Seal) quality hallmark. The L.U.C 1963 carries both certifications, each bearing independent witness to the excellent quality characterising the production emerging from the workshops of the Chopard Manufacture. The mechanical hand-wound L.U.C 63.01-L movement is a smaller version of L.U.C Calibre 06.01-L. The latter was developed in partnership with the Geneva Watchmaking School and presented in 2010 to mark Chopard’s 150^th anniversary as part of the L.U.C Louis-Ulysse Chopard – The Tribute model. L.U.C Calibre 63.01-L with its 38 mm diameter is a large movement, yet with a simple architecture dictated by the absence of any horological complications. In keeping with the chronometer spirit, L.U.C 1963 only displays the hours, minutes and seconds. The movement’s two-tone treatment creates an eye-catching effect, while the alternation between the rose gold shade and the colour of steel heightens the contrasts, enhances the movement’s three-dimensional nature, as well as admirably highlighting the tightly spaced circular-graining on the main plate, the lower gilded part of the movement, and the bridges appearing just beneath the sapphire crystal case-back. These bridges are made of nickel silver, a nobler alloy than brass and a much harder and more difficult metal to work with because its scratches cannot be redeemed. These choices of material are not governed by aesthetic considerations alone: they also prove highly effective in technical terms. The ample curve of the swan’s-neck index-assembly is thus not merely beautiful, but also enables fine and firm adjustment of the watch’s rating.

The finishing of this movement is considered to be just as essential as its mechanical construction. Circular-graining, chamfering, Côtes de Genève and polishing are extensively employed and all handcrafted in the Chopard Manufacture workshops. They endow the L.U.C 1963 with a noble pedigree that is granted by the prestigious Poinçon de Genève – a hallmark awarded only to watches displaying the highest degree of aesthetic and mechanical quality. The L.U.C 1963 is in a league of its own within the L.U.C-collections in terms of both its nature and its spirit. In keeping with this rare and exclusive nature, only 50 of this model will be produced, all clearly destined for devotees of classical Fine Watchmaking.

Case:

• 18-carat rose gold or platinum

• Total diameter:                                                                                     44.00 mm

• Thickness:                                                                                              11.50 mm

• Water resistance:                                                                                  50 m

• 18-carat rose gold or platinum crown with L.U.C logo:               8.00 mm

• Glare proofed sapphire crystal

• Exhibition back

Movement:

• Mechanical hand-wound:                                                         L.U.C 63.01-L

• Diameter:                                                                                     38.00 mm

• Thickness:                                                                                     5.50 mm

• Number of jewels:                                                                      20

• Frequency:                                                                                   28,800 A/h (= 4 Hz)

• Power reserve:                                                                           60 hours

• Bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève

• Chronometer-certified by the COSC

• Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark

Dial and hands:

• Porcelain style white dial

• Gilt hours, minutes and small seconds hands

Functions and displays:

• Central displays of the hours and minutes

• Small seconds at 9 o’clock

Strap and buckle:

• Hand-sewn brown alligator leather, lined with cognac-toned alligator leather

• 18-carat rose gold or platinum pin buckle