1st July 2015, London

It was the hottest day of the year in London and we were promised an even hotter time with Chopard hosting a PuristS' Dinner. We knew that the owners of two LUC 1963 Chrono PuristS Edition watches would be there but many guests did not know of the planned attendance of the owner of watch no. 1 - Mr Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard.

The following e-mail arrived 4 hours before the event and I was tasked with the sad job to read it to the guests later:

"Due to a strike by the French air traffic control, I unfortunately had to cancel my trip to London.
I very much regret not being able to participate in the Purists Dinner with you and your friends and sincerely hope to make it next time.

Wishing you a wonderful evening, for today, I remain,

With best regards,
Karl-Friedrich Scheufele"

At this point, even the French attendees said they did not like the French!

Jean-Baptiste Maillard, Chef of Chopard UK and a Frenchman, hosted the evening assisted by Eleonore Cayol and team.

The location was spectacular at a penthouse suite of the Dorchester Hotel.

The organisation, decor and Chopard displays were exquisitely elegant.

The Dorchester service was impressively impeccable.

We all resolved to have a resplendent time despite our earlier disappointment.

Some of our old UK PuristS friends were there as were a few new faces. You may recognise yourselves and others, so feel free to contribute to the discussions in this thread.

There was a concerted passion for watches and the delights from the Chopard collection for Baselworld 2015.

Of course, the ladies had the opportunity to enjoy watches and jewellery.

The cuisine was delectable as one would expect from an establishment that also houses restaurants by Alain Ducasse and China Tang.

That was only the prelude to the main course, which were the watches.

In almost a cliche but PuristS' tradition we had a table shot of our watches.

The vast majority were Chopard but we also had a few timepieces from the independent masters and vintage brands.

PuristS can't help themselves when watches are assembled. 

As expected the stars of the show were the Chopard XPS Fairmined with its fascinating dial and the Chopard Quattro Platinum with the alluring blue dial.

LUC Quattro Platinum

LUC Tech Steel Wings Tourbillon

Chopard Chronographs

Chopard Perpetual Calendars and Lunar  watches

Chopard Extra Flat watches

A complicated watch that stole the show was the LUC 1963 Tourbillon with grand feu enamel dial and the new elegant single bridge.

Although not a novelty, the LUC Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar was also captivating. Its is being seen more these days on the wrist of Karl-Friedrich Scheufele like the old "President's watch" - LUC Lunar One - used to be.

Chopard Superfast Chronographs

LUC 1963 Chrono PuristS' Edition watches No.2 and No.3

There were a few appreciative noises for the PuristS' chronograph and the London boutique had one of the few available following a buying spree by Middle East collectors at Baselworld 2015.

Finally, the effulgent evening had to draw to a close; leaving PuristS sated by choice cuisine, congenial company and wondrous watches.

I was honoured to enjoin a tremendous vote of thanks from PuristS to Chopard for the 'Get Together'.

Dr Melvyn Teillol-Foo, 2015.