The L.U.C collection was founded exactly 20 years ago in 1996 in Chopard’s Fleurier based workshops with the unveiling of the L.U.C 1860 model. This first timepiece bearing the brand founder’s initials and founding year is the cornerstone of an exclusive watch collection with a strong visual identity, perfect movement and literally artistic finish. The L.U.C is a huge playground whose classic features and well-made mechanical calibres have won over men and women alike.

Back to its roots: L.U.C XPS 1860

To celebrate the collection’s 20th anniversary, Chopard is paying tribute to the piece that fuelled the L.U.C adventure. It’s true to its big brother’s stylish soul but incorporates contemporary technological advances. Its COSC-certified self-winding L.U.C 96.01L calibre is the first movement to be made by Chopard and fitted with a micro-rotor and Twin® system. The technology has been designed and patented by Chopard to put two co-axial barrels on top of each other without affecting the movement’s size (3.30mm thick in a 40mm case). The power reserve lasts 65 hours.

The features on the silver sunburst dial are large to make them easier to read. Two large central rhodium-plated and dauphine-shape hour and minute hands glide over the Roman hour numerals and minute track on the off-centre ring. The seconds count down in a counter at 6. The large double date display lies at 12 whilst the day of the week and month (in English) appear in black-rimmed dials at 9 and 3 respectively. A small counter with a red triangular hand at 2.30 replaces February and displays leap years.
chopard.com

By Sharmila Bertin