Recently, Chopard has been using their in-house chronograph movements not only in their L.U.C range but also into the Superfast and Mille Miglia lines.

History of Flyback Function

The flyback function is a complication required by real life.

In 1915, the first wrist chronograph with independent chronograph pushpiece appeared. The stop and reset functions were controlled by a pusher on the winding crown. In 1923, the stop/start functions were separated from that of resetting by Breitling. This allowed adding several successive times without returning the hands to zero – which proved extremely useful both for timing sports competitions and for calculating flight times.

Chopard Chronograph

In 1924, Landeron acquired the Breitling patents and began producing chronograph movements. In 1925, Landeron merged with Fabrique d'Horlogerie de Fontainemelon (FHF) and renamed Fontainemelon et succursale du Landeron. FHF/Landeron became a founding member of Ebauches SA in 1926. As Landeron held the Breitling patents, it was the exclusive supplier of column wheel chronograph movements until their expiry in the 1930s.

In 1934, Breitling added the second independent reset pushpiece. Thus, three actions were required to start-stop-reset the chronograph functions. This was all very well when you were on the ground and could focus on using your chronograph.

Eventually, chronographs were equipped with the flyback function, especially watches meant for pilots. It is much easier to instantly restart the chronograph with one push of the button, instead of three. That meant less distraction from the immediate need to control an aircraft.

However the patent of the flyback chronograph belongs to Longines-Francillon with its first flyback chronograph in 1936. The flyback function is also known by other names:

• Retour-en-vol (French: to return on flight)
• Taylor system (Longines-Francillion 1936)
• Permanent zero setting (Breitling 1933)

Chopard Flyback Chronographs

As we just completed 80 years of the mechanical flyback chronograph existence, I wanted to look at the complication in Chopard's archives. We have more reliable historical records for Chopard products since the Scheufele family took over in 1963.

This is not meant to be a comprehensive catalogue of every model of Chopard mechanical flyback chronograph issued. With so many variants and limited editions, that is impossible. Instead, I hope to cover the "families" in recent history.

Chopard Chronographs over the years used a variety of movements including Landeron 149, ETA 2892-A2/Dubois Depraz module, ETA 2894-2/DD module, FP 1185 and JLC 889/1.

1960s

L.U.C Chronograph wristwatch

Chopard Chronograph

Manual winding movement, Landeron 149, 13.75’’, with an integrated chronograph mechanism with cam, nickel silver balance with screws, flat hairspring, black polished simple regulator, Swiss anchor escapement, nickel silver bridges, 18000 A/h, power reserve of 42 hours.

Landeron 149 movement

The chronograph is started and stopped by pushing the pusher at 2 o’clock. Return to zeros’ function by the pusher at 4 o’clock. This is unlike the more common Landeron calibres 48, 51, 148 and 248 that used the top pusher to start the chronograph and the lower pusher for both stop and reset functions.

1990s

Through the 1990s, Chopard continued supplying chronographs based on Frederic Piguet movements. These included the sporty St Moritz and elegant Imperiale.

Linea d'Oro

In the 1990s, Chopard used the Frederic Piguet 1186 movement issued in 1989 as the world's first automatic rattrapante chronograph and remains one of the thinnest at 6.9 mm. It is made up of 361 parts and has 38 jewels. The Linea d'Oro were still available in the early 2000s. Images are not easy to obtain even at Chopard because it was before digital photography and PuristSPro.com om.

Chopard Linea d Oro Split Seconds Chronograph Platinum

Ref.341243-9001 Platinum Linea d'Oro; 11 1/2" P1186 Mechanical Movement, Automatic Winding, Flyback Rattrapante Chronograph, Waterproof.

Variants included Ref.341243-0001 Yellow Gold Linea d'Oro and Ref.341243-1001 White Gold Linea d'Oro.

Chopard Linea d Oro Split Seconds Chronograph White Gold

Mille Miglia Flyback Chronographs

Chopard has sponsored the Mille Miglia race since 1988 and the watches represent Classic Racing with the Dunlop Racing Tyre pattern for their rubber straps.

The insistence on mechanical self-winding movements evolved into a requirement for COSC chronometer certification for all models from 2000 onwards.

Chopard Mille Miglia 2000

The Mille Miglia models and ETA based ebauche were:

16/8331 SS No year and unlimited: 2894-2/DD module.
16/8407 Ti 2000: 2892-A2/DD module. Also 250pcs in 18K YG & 18K WG.

Chopard Mille Miglia 2001

16/8915 Ti 2001 (1000pcs): 2894-2/DD module. Also 100 pcs in 18K gold.
16/8920 SS 2002 (1000pcs): 2894-2/DD module. Also in 18K YG and 18K WG.

Chopard Mille Miglia 2002

Mille Miglia 2016 XL Race Edition ref.168580-3001

In 2016, the first Chopard Mille Miglia with in-house chronograph movement calibre 03.05-C was launched in the Chopard Mille Miglia 2016 XL Race Edition.

Mille Miglia 2016 XL Race Edition - Calibre 03.05-C

Jacky Ickx 6/24 Chronographs

Ref.168543-3001 Jacky Ickx V

In tribute to Jacky Ickx who was six-time outright winner of the 24H of Le Mans race, Chopard issued a series of Jacky Ickx chronographs.

The most recent was in 2011 as the Jacky Ickx Chronograph 6/24 Edition V.

24H of Le Mans 1977 Jacky Ickx

Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and Jacky Ickx

Grand Prix Historique de Monaco

GPMH 2016 Race Edition Ref.168570-3002 Ref.161294-5001

Supporting the biennial GPHM in the tiny Principality, Chopard issues the classic racing chronographs every two years.

Grand Prix Historique de Monaco

Superfast Chronographs

Ref.161284-5001 Superfast Chrono

After the Classic Racing motifs, Chopard looked to Contemporary Racing for inspiration in the Superfast range. The Chopard Superfast chronographs with their "slick racing tyre" rubber straps are driven by in-house 'engines' from Chopard.

Calibre Chopard 03.05-M Superfast

First launched in 2012, Chopard used the Superfast range to represent their sponsorship of Porsche Motorsport's successful return to World Endurance Racing since 2014.

Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Edition




Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Jacky Ickx Edition ref.168535-3003




Superfast Chrono Porsche Motorsport 919 Black Edition

The Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Edition (2014), Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Jacky Ickx Edition (2015) and Superfast Chrono Porsche Motorsport 919 Black Edition (2016) followed.

Porsche 919 Hybrid

L.U.C Chrono One

L.U.C Chrono One

Developed rapidly under the secret project codename GT3, the L.U.C Chrono One Concept automatic winding flyback chronograph appeared in 2006 as a "pre-series" with the L.U.C Calibre 10 CF movement. The production models appeared in 2008.

L.U.C Chrono One_Calibre L.U.C 03.02-L

The L.U.C Calibre 11 CF (now known as L.U.C 03.02-L), like the 10 CF, is distinguished in particular by three innovative systems. The reset function operates by means of a lever pivoting three supple hammers, thereby ensuring optimal return of the counter hands and also cushioning the reset action.

The L.U.C Calibre 11 CF also includes a “small seconds reset” function combined with a movement stop feature for a precise time setting (patent pending). Finally, the self-winding mechanism winds in both directions and comprises a unidirectional gear device (patent pending). This system avoids losses of energy and ensures optimal winding speed via the gold oscillating weight.

L.U.C Chrono One

L.U.C Chrono One Flyback rose gold




L.U.C Chrono One Flyback white gold




L.U.C Chrono One Flyback white gold baguette diamonds




Ref.161928-5001 L.U.C Chrono One rose gold

L.U.C 1963 Chronographs

Ref.161964-5001 L.U.C 1963 Chronograph




GT7-Chrono_Avec Quantième

The first L.U.C manual winding flyback chronograph was the L.U.C 1963 Chrono with new calibre L.U.C 03.07-L, issued in a collection to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Scheufele purchase of Chopard in 1963. Unusually for Chopard, a steel version was issued at the launch of a new movement.

This was the L.U.C 1963 Chrono PuristS edition with a special movement without date display.

Ref.168556-3001 L.U.C 1963 Chrono PuristS Edition




Calibre L.U.C 03.07-L




GT7P-Chrono_Sans Quantième




Mille Miglia Classic XL 90th Anniversary

That movement was employed again this year for the Mille Miglia Classic XL 90th Anniversary edition.

L.U.C Perpetual Chronograph

L.U.C Perpetual Chrono Ref.161973-1001

The L.U.C Perpetual Chrono houses an exceptional base chronograph mechanism with a perpetual calendar complication. Issued in two series of 20 pieces in “Fairmined” 18-carat white gold and in “Fairmined” 18-carat rose gold, it is intended for watchmaking connoisseurs and devotees of exceptional objects.

L.U.C Perpetual Chrono Ref.161973-1001

L.U.C Calibre 03.10-L is built around a column wheel that controls all chronograph operations including the flyback function.

The zero-reset system for the counters and the central sweep seconds hand is handled by progressive-contact hammers guaranteeing optimal precision. It ensures smooth yet firm activation of the timing-related components via a vertical coupling clutch.

L.U.C Perpetual Chrono - Calibre L.U.C 03.10-L back

This calendar is recognisable by its large twin-aperture date display, complemented by indications of the day and whether or not it is a leap year, while the finishing touches are set by a day/night indication and an orbital moon-phase display. The graphic and accurate readings of the moon age has only one-day deviation in 122 years.

The architecture of the perpetual calendar had to be adjusted to offset the day/night indicator by a few millimetres.

L.U.C Perpetual Chrono - Calibre L.U.C 03.10-L front

Chopard is the first luxury watch and jewellery company to have committed itself to supporting mining communities in order to help them achieve Fairmined certification. It contributes to training, to social well-being and to environmental protection.

Fairmined certification ensures that gold is extracted in a responsible way by artisanal and small-scale mining organisations, that both miners and the environment are treated correctly and that purchasers pay a premium, in addition to the fixed gold price, to be reinvested in community projects.

Fairmined

Thanks to Chopard Archive for historical information

Dr M. Teillol-Foo (2017)