Category Archives: Chopard

chopard luc xp 2019 dial closeup

L.U.C XP

GETTING BACK TO BASICS

The blue wave hit the vast majority of dials this year. This version takes full advantage of it to bolster its power to seduce gentlemen.

While the watches in Chopard’s L.U.C. collection embody the philosophy of the manufacture through refined style combined with mechanical components assembled in the tradition of fine watchmaking, the XP model captures its quintessence. No date, no second disturbs its refined dial, dressed in a blue satin texture. This is only touched on by the hour and minute hands which point to a timer on which numbers and indices alternate. All these elements are enhanced by the warm hue of pink gold. Elegant in its style, this timepiece is equally elegant in its shape, housed in a 40mm diameter steel case only 7.20mm thick. This finesse makes the XP a distinctive model that allows it to perfectly match all the pieces of a sophisticated men’s locker room.

chopard luc xp 2019 dial closeupChopard supplies the owner with a choice of two bracelets. The first is sure to seduce demanding dandies by combining a blue merino wool with a brown alligator lining. The second, just as chic, is made of cognac-colored leather. Both are closed with a pin buckle.

Price: 8,350 EUR chopard.com

By Dan Diaconu

chopard mille miglia 2019 race edition caseback

MILLE MIGLIA 2019 RACE EDITION

RACING SPIRIT

Partner of the legendary eponymous Italian classic car rally, the manufacture has launched the 2019 vintage limited edition of its chronograph to mark the occasion.

Last year, Chopard took us on a journey along the winding roads between Brescia and Rome with a Mille Miglia equipped with a classic time display. For this new version, the 2019 limited edition launched by the manufacture sports a very different design on its dial. The chronograph counters in black are vertically aligned at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock. The date window with a lens for magnification completes the symmetry with the small seconds dial located at 9 o’clock. Plain gray ruthenium replaces the beading of the 2018 edition. The piece is protected by a steel case which has gained 2 mm and now comes in a diameter of 44 mm providing a spacious layout of all the information. The rose gold pushers and bezel add a touch of refinement to this sporty piece for men.

chopard mille miglia 2019 race edition casebackThe 1,000 pieces come with a brown calf leather strap with black rubber lining inspired by Dunlop tires from the 1960s and finished with a folding buckle. The sealed case back is stamped with the event’s logo and a checkered flag darkened using a PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) treatment.

Price: 7,000 EUR chopard.com

By Dan Diaconu

chopard alpine eagle closeup

ALPINE EAGLE

IN THE EAGLE KINGDOM

The majestic bird of prey with sharp powerful claws has turned its piercing gaze to the collections of the Geneva-based brand, inspiring three generations of men to create a new timepiece.

Chopard’s current co-president, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, is proud to bring back a contemporary version of the St Moritz, the first piece that he created in the 1980s, today reinterpreted and renamed Alpine Eagle in homage to the majestic bird of prey which flies over the mountains.

chopard alpine eagle closeupCrowned with a large bezel held in place by 4 pairs of 8 screws, the brass dial is stamped to look like the iris of an eagle, with its beaming veined grooves. This disk is available in royal blue or taupe gray, or Tahitian pearl for the women’s versions, with a silver or gold chapter ring, composed of index markers and Roman numerals covered with Super-LumiNova®. The time display is indicated by a pair of baton-shaped hands, also luminescent, and a second hand with a counterweight inspired by the silhouette of an eagle’s feather.

Price on request chopard.com

By Sharmila Bertin

chopard luc chrono one flyback

L.U.C CHRONO ONE FLYBACK

THE MAGIC OF COLOR

Launched at Baselworld, these men’s chronographs, earlier versions of which date back to 2007, emphasize their natural distinction with suitable color schemes.

A masterpiece of Chopard’s sports watch collections, the L.U.C Chrono One Flyback returns this year in two limited editions of the reworked design. The first edition limited to 250 pieces sports an understated and stylish gray vertical satin-finished dial. This is protected by a steel case. It comes with a slate-gray alligator strap accentuating the stylish look. The second variation limited to 100 pieces combines a military-style green case back with a case made of Titalyt®, a high-tech material used in the aerospace and medical industry. The understated shade highlights the color chosen for the face of the chronograph. A brown calf leather strap accentuates its unique style.

chopard luc chrono one flybackThe hour and minute hands, the small seconds dial located at 6 o’clock, and the date are all powered by the L.U.C 03.03-L caliber, and its chronometer precision is certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). This self-winding movement regulates the measurement of short and long periods of time, which can be measured using the central second hand, the minute counter at 3 o’clock and the hour counter at 9 o’clock. The flyback function makes it possible to swiftly reset the stopwatch at the touch of a button. This cutting-edge mechanism also offers a generous power reserve of around 60 hours.

Price on request chopard.com

By Dan Diaconu

chopard luc xps 1860 england open caseback

L.U.C XPS 1860 ROYAL ARMS OF ENGLAND

RULE BRITANNIA!

To celebrate the opening of its new London boutique, Chopard is releasing a limited edition with a hinged case back, as distinguished as one of Her Majesty’s officers.

“Elegance is when the inside is as beautiful as the outside.” mused Coco Chanel (1883-1971) and this reflection is perfectly befitting of the L.U.C XPS 1860 Royal Arms of England released by Chopard. The gold dial accentuated by an anthracite galvanic treatment and the guilloched center demonstrate all the qualities of the L.U.C collection. The time information, the dauphine hour and minute hands, the date and the small seconds at 6 o’clock bring this pared-down style to life. The refined composition is enhanced by the slim 40 mm white gold case just 7.7 mm thick. Turning the watch over reveals a case back covered with a graphic honeycomb design. By pressing on the crown, it opens at 90° just like old pocket watches.

chopard luc xps 1860 england open casebackThe 8 pieces of this ultra-limited series come with a brown alligator strap and are only available in Chopard’s UK boutiques.

Price: on request chopard.com

By Dan Diaconu

chopard luc xps azur dial closeup

L.U.C XPS AZUR

PALME D’OR

The jury has reached its verdict and presented its awards. If there was one for accessories, this new glamorous limited edition would surely stand out.

The curtain has just come down on the Cannes Festival. Partner of the event since 1998, Chopard is now tempting us to climb the steps of the red carpet with a timepiece in colors inspired by the French Riviera. The L.U.C XPS Azur has a dial in summery blue hues reminiscent of the Mediterranean Sea. To achieve this, the dial has a delicate guilloched center with an emanating pattern combined with a sunburst satin finish. This work is magnified inside a 40 mm white gold case. In this subdued depiction, the stars of the show tell the time. The dauphine-type hour and minute hands point to an outer ring illuminated by baguette-cut diamond index markers. Far from being relegated as extras, the small seconds and the date both play their parts perfectly at 6 o’clock.

chopard luc xps azur dial closeupAs with all Chopard watches, this very limited edition of just 10 pieces has the chronometer certification issued by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). The L.U.C XPS Azur also bears the hallmark of the demanding Geneva Seal for its exemplary finishes.

Price: 37,800 CHF chopard.com

By Dan Diaconu

chopard luc flying t twin dial closeup

L.U.C FLYING T TWIN

SUPREME DISTINCTION

Chopard, the creators of aesthetic and mechanical emotions, has produced a limited edition showing off its high manufacturing standards and underlining environmental commitments.

Elegance is a state of mind and can be embodied in different ways. At Chopard, we see it in the L.U.C. collection, with watches combining refined designs and exceptional mechanisms. The brand’s new model, unveiled at the 2019 Baselworld, nonetheless fills a gap with the first calibre featuring a flying tourbillon. For the occasion, the manufacture has designed a delicate setting built around a 40cm-wide and 7.2mm-thick, ultra-slim case made of Fairmined rose gold. The regulating organ driving the small seconds dial at 6 o’clock is enhanced by a solid-gold watch face featuring a hand-made guilloché pattern. At the centre of the L.U.C Flying T Twin is a honeycomb decoration encircled by an hour rim with an azure pattern.

chopard luc flying t twin dial closeupAnd to fully satisfy contemporary gentlemen with a concern for the environment, CITES has given its seal of approval to the strap worn sold with this limited edition of 50 pieces. It is made of matt black alligator leather and dyed with plant pigments. The CITES certification means that the origin of the leather poses no threat to the survival of the species in question.

Price: 109,000 EUR chopard.com

By Dan Diaconu

chopard luc xps twist qf caseback

L.U.C XPS TWIST QF

A TOUCH OF FANTASY

After a first limited edition of the XPS Twist QF, released in 2017, Chopard is back and breaking the traditional watchmaking design rules, but always in style.

If you want to break the rules, then you need to master them to perfection. This is an art where Chopard has shown real skill, as can be seen in the Twist series from the L.U.C. collection. An example? Take a look at the L.U.C XPS Twist QF launched at the last Baselworld! The limited edition of 250 watches provides a new take on classic watchmaking style based on symmetry. You find the brand’s typically refined style, but the offset position of two of the elements gives the watch a unique personality that is guaranteed to please. The transgressive style is first of all highlighted in the seconds sub-dial. It is positioned at 7 o’clock and becomes the main visual focal point, since the satin sunburst finish on the dial converges towards it. To reset the dauphine-style hands, the discreet crown also comes as a surprise at 4 o’clock.

chopard luc xps twist qf casebackThis 100% Swiss-made model meets all of Chopard’s usual high standards. The L.U.C XPS Twist QF has both the Fleurier Quality and COSC chronometer certifications. The 40mm-wide white gold Fairmined case is worn with a blue-grey matt alligator leather strap, dyed with plant pigments.

Price: 19,800 CHF chopard.com

By Dan Diaconu

chopard luc xp urushi year of the pig handcraft

L.U.C XP URUSHI YEAR OF THE PIG

RECIPE OF TRADITION

After the Year of the Dog, make way for the Year of the Pig! And to get the year off to the best possible start, Chopard has released a collector’s watch with great aesthetic elegance.

On 5 February 2019, the Chinese New Year will begin under the zodiac sign of the Pig. For the occasion, Chopard has added a limited edition of 88 pieces to its L.U.C XP Urushi collection. The totally hand-made dial displays a golden pig, the symbol of plenty, luck and cheerfulness. The brand has once again called on the talents of Minori Koizumi for the new timepiece. This virtuoso of the traditional Japanese lacquerware technique works alongside the master, Kiichiro Masumura, widely recognised as the finest exponent of his art. Urushi lacquerware is made from the sap of the tree of the same name. Its honey-like consistency adds relief to the delicate picture on the dial. But that’s not all, since it also provides a rich range of colours helping to bring the composition to life. The dial has no hour markers or numerals but features dauphine-style hour and minute hands.

chopard luc xp urushi year of the pig handcraftThe L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Pig is worn with a hand-sewn black alligator strap. The watch is only on sale in Chopard stores.

Price on request chopard.com

By Dan Diaconu