Chopard has announced the L.U.C. Heritage Grand Cru, a watch that is a celebration of the brand’s first LUC XP Tonneau watch (which came out in 2001). It sits alongside the rest of the LUC division – a part of the company used by Chopard to produce only its most high-end timepieces.
The watch is similar to the first LUC XP in that it is Tonneau shaped. The movement has been custom built to fit the case (unlike other watch manufactures, who may have used a smaller movement. this one sits flush with the case). The entire watch measures just 38.5mm by 38.8mm and has a 7.7mm thin profile.
The middle section of the side of the case has been buffed to perfection, with a satin brush finish along the outside. Under the anti-reflective sapphire crystal lies a white porcelain-like dial, with black Roman numerals. There is a white minute track around the centre of the dial. A small seconds sub-dial – which is snailed – lies at the 6 o’clock position. The hour and minute hands are dauphine style and are gilded also.
The gold dials are quite legible, even in bright sunlight, especially when set against the glossy white dials. The hour and minute hands are perfectly proportioned for the tonneau case and have been dupped fusée by the Chopard watch boffs (fusée means ‘rocket’ in French, denoting hands that are wider at the bottom and pointed at the top).
The see-through caseback gives owners a chance to appreciate the automatic Geneva Seal approved 97.01-L Calibre movement. It features a 22-carat gold omnidirectional micro-rotor that drives two stacked barrels, produced using Chopard’s proprietary Twin technology. It has a power reserve of 65 hours.
The movement – like the watch – is Tonneau shaped. It measure 28.15mm by 27.60 mm, is made up of 197 components and 29 jewelled bearings. The bridges have Côtes de Genève finishing, and as with most timepieces of this calibre – it has the Geneva Seal (or Hallmark of Geneva).
The Geneva Seal is a rare quality certification, reserved only for watches that are produced entirely in the Swiss Canton of Geneva. It tests everything, from the aesthetic qualities of the movement, as well as its accuracy, water resistance and power reserve.
The Chopard LUC Heritage Grand Cru is an attractive tonneau style watch, with an authentic in-house movement, attractive case and slim profile. It is available next month and priced 22,300 CHF (or AED85,900)
