Recently, theChopard, a leading Swiss jewelry and watch brand The L.U.C Full Strike timepiece is a new model with a unique design, sound and elegance, with a platinum case and a gray-blue dial, issued in a limited edition of 20 pieces. The watch is equipped with the L.U.C 08.01-L minute repeater movement and combines precious metals with a fine watch finish certified by the "Hallmark of Geneva". This exceptional minute repeater by Chopard Manufacture is a collector's watch with "Swiss Official Chronometer" certified precision and a number of innovative technologies, its sapphire crystal and gongs integrated to produce a distinctive rich, clear, constant and powerful sound.
A white brass movement of exceptional complexity
The line between the movement and the exterior components of the L.U.C Full Strike timepiece is a complex one. If the gongs are usually part of the movement, for this watch they are also part of the exterior components. This duality is one of the unique features of the L.U.C 08.01-L movement.
The mainplate and bridges are machined in white brass, decorated with Côtes de Genève, and have a semi-gray, semi-golden luster thanks to the use of this famous alloy. This material is ideal for surface treatment. Accordingly, it cannot tolerate any slight operational errors, as these cannot be remedied by refinishing. Because it is more resistant to oxidation than traditional brass, Chopard has chosen to use it without any protective treatment, which requires greater care and attention during manufacture, decoration and finishing.
Elegant and harmonious display
The dial of the L.U.C Full Strike in platinum is based on a solid gold semi-circular disc. It features a skeletonized design with a snailed and polished bezel, treated with an electroplating process to a gray-blue color and then embellished with the rhodium-plated appliquéd Roman numerals characteristic of the L.U.C collection. The power reserve, the small seconds counter and the railroad-track minute circle feature white and black transfer finishes.
Two hammers striking the sapphire gongs are located at 10 o'clock. Their surfaces are completely mirror-polished, a quality that underlines the craftsmanship of the rest of the movement. The two hammers are at the same level as the dial, high and visible. Thus, a clear boundary between the exterior components and the movement is avoided, as is evident in the design.
Unique chime push-button disconnection system
The minute repeater mechanism is at risk of breakage when mishandled. In order to provide the wearer of the L.U.C Full Strike with an ideal wearing experience, the movement has been developed several times to ensure its stable operation. When the chime is reactivated while it is still in progress, the parts can be damaged. To counter this risk, the L.U.C 08.01-L caliber is equipped with a chime push-button disconnection system integrated in the crown. During the chiming of the watch, this push-piece can be operated at will without affecting the movement, since it is disconnected from it.
Precise and reliable chiming operation
When the minute repeater lever is not fully depressed, the chime may be incomplete and the time reading may be inaccurate. That is why the L.U.C 08.01-L movement is equipped with a separate barrel dedicated to chiming the hours. This barrel stores enough energy to ensure twelve complete chimes for a maximum of one hour, i.e. 32 striking musical notes at 12:59 p.m. (twelve for the hour, six for the quarter-hour and fourteen for the remaining minutes). If there is not enough energy in the barrel to strike the chime, the chime will not be triggered. In addition, this separate barrel ensures a constant force for each strike of the gongs. Finally, this watch skips silent units of time with a subtle chiming mechanism. In other words, the L.U.C Full Strike does not have silent pauses between hours and quarters, nor between quarters and minutes. On the contrary, it emits a smooth, natural and beautiful musical sound at all times.
The movement's chiming power reserve is indicated by a longer hand at the 2 o'clock position on a dial with a bell above it. In the same area, on the adjacent reading scale, the slightly shorter hand indicates the movement's power reserve, i.e. 60 hours.
Chronometer-certified precision
The L.U.C Full Strike in platinum is not only exquisite, but also faithful to the fundamental principles of the L.U.C collection. First and foremost is the requirement for precision, a personal requirement of Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, which is why the L.U.C 08.01-L movement in all 20 watches has passed the "COSC" certification test.
The frequency of the L.U.C 08.01-L movement is 4 Hz: it ensures better operational stability, a rarity for a minute repeater. To further increase its precision, the L.U.C Full Strike is equipped with another mechanism that stops the seconds hand at 6 o'clock when the crown is pulled out. This stop-second function allows for precise time setting.
As with all L.U.C timepieces, the finish on the L.U.C Full Strike is exceptional, whether it is the case, the dial or the entire movement. the L.U.C Full Strike in platinum is entirely assembled, fitted and adjusted in the workshops of Chopard Manufacture and bears the prestigious "Hallmark of Geneva". The latter is a testament not only to the quality and precision of the timepieces produced in the Canton of Geneva, but also to the high level of finish applied to all watch components.
L.U.C Full Strike watch - platinum version, limited edition of 20 pieces
Case.
Platinum 950
Overall diameter 42.5 mm
Thickness 11.55 mm
Rhodium-plated white 18-carat gold crown in line with Chopard's philosophy of sustainability and social responsibility
Engraved L.U.C. logo 8.80 mm
Vertical satin-finished frame
Polished bezel and case-back, hand-engraved case-back
Glareproofed sapphire crystal caseback
Movement.
Hand-wound mechanical movement L.U.C 08.01-L
Number of parts 533
Total diameter 37.20 mm
Thickness 7.97 mm
Number of jewels 63
Frequency 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve 60 hours
Untreated white brass mainplate and bridges
Bridges decorated with Côtes de Genève
Minute repeater
Sapphire gongs throughout
Variable inertia balance spring
Clutch rocker mechanism that locks the chiming gear to avoid losing power reserve when receiving a message
Chiming trigger mechanism that allows the pushers to be acted upon in a normal, slow, continuous or fast manner during chiming or non-chiming periods
Phillips end curve hairspring
Official Swiss Chronometer Certification (COSC)
Hallmark of Geneva
Dial and hands.
Electroplated gold dial with gray and blue background
Skeletonized hour circle
Snailed and polished small seconds hand
White and black pad-printed finish
Rhodium-plated appliquéd Roman numerals
Rhodium-plated sword-shaped dauphine hour and minute hands
Rhodium-plated bar small seconds hand
Rhodium-plated bar hands for indicating the movement's power reserve and sounding the power reserve
Sapphire crystal with transfer-printed railroad track minute circle below
Functions.
Minute repeater, striking the hours via a full sapphire gong
Central hours and minutes display
Small second hand at 6 o'clock
Concentric display of the watch movement and the power reserve at 2 o'clock
Stop-second function
Strap and clasp.
Hand-stitched alligator strap, cognac-colored alligator lining, colored with vegetable pigments (CITES-certified)
Folding clasp in platinum
Reference: 161947-9001 - Platinum version with alligator strap
The L.U.C collection: 25 years of watchmaking excellence
In 1997, Chopard Manufacture launched the first watch from its workshops, the L.U.C 1860 with the L.U.C 96.01-L movement. Since then, the Manufacture has continued to accumulate and master all the major complications in watchmaking through the L.U.C. Chopard Manufacture designs, develops, manufactures, assembles, decorates and certifies all its watches in Fleurier and Geneva. Given Karl-Friedrich Scheufele's commitment to watchmaking tradition, the Manufacture maintains a high level of finish work by preserving the numerous artistic craftsmanship inherited. Finally, in keeping with a tradition deeply rooted in precision watchmaking, all L.U.C watches with second hand displays are certified by the "COSC".
