SuperFast Launch in Marbella - Part 1 of 2 : The Three Watches
Kong
November 22 was the launch of the
new 2012 SuperFast rose-gold pieces at Ascari Race Resort situated in
Ronda, a province of Malaga ( southern Spain). Before the report of the
full day launch event, some quick impressions and pictures of the three
pieces unveiled - SuperFast Automatic, SuperFast Chrono and SuperFast
Power Control.
SuperFast Automatic, SuperFast Chrono and SuperFast Power Control.
Some
background of this vertical within the Classic Racing range. As most
are aware, the Classic Racing range is made up of the popular Mille
Miglia, Grand Prix de Monaco Historique and Jacky Ickx. The new
SuperFast line joins the stable in 2009, with a special piece for a
charity event in the world first night race, the SingaporeGP.
Subsequently, it is issued every year. To view, the previous models,
please click here.
The design of the SuperFast is inspired by various part of supercars - for example, the side of the case-band is like the engine cooling fins and bezel is inspired by the early superchargers. However, the design of the SuperFast series is difference from the rest. It is bold and more avant-garde or some like to call it audacious. Strangely, it is still classified under 'classic' racing though.
With the appearance of Olympic gold medallist swimmer Ryan Lochte, the message for the SuperFast series maybe changing. It could be anything related to human endeavour in Speed or race against time. The latest press release may have hinted with a subject line - " SuperFast, A Mindset".
A key-point of these three pieces, which many of the Chopard Mille Miglia fans and owners, have always wished or wanted
. A racing aesthetic but with the L.U.C movements. It has sort of happened now, with these three 2012 rose-gold SuperFastS with movements from Fleurier Ebauches.
A brief introduction about Fleurier Ebauches. This new set up was founded by Chopard in 2008, located very near to the Chopard Manufacture which manufactures the L.U.Cs .
Fleurier Ebauches sits on a land area of 6000 square meters with a production surface area of 5100 square meters and the primary objective is to achieve independence in movement-manufacturing with the capabilities to fabricate all components eventually and supplies them to the Chopard group. The 38-staff unit, currently has production capacity of 5,000 movements/year and plan to scale up to 15000 movements/year by next year!
Let have a look at the three models for the 2012 SuperFast Collection.
(These pieces were photographed at different time of the day, as and when they were available, thus the background varied :-) )
Firstly, the SuperFast Automatic ...
The design of the SuperFast is inspired by various part of supercars - for example, the side of the case-band is like the engine cooling fins and bezel is inspired by the early superchargers. However, the design of the SuperFast series is difference from the rest. It is bold and more avant-garde or some like to call it audacious. Strangely, it is still classified under 'classic' racing though.
With the appearance of Olympic gold medallist swimmer Ryan Lochte, the message for the SuperFast series maybe changing. It could be anything related to human endeavour in Speed or race against time. The latest press release may have hinted with a subject line - " SuperFast, A Mindset".
A key-point of these three pieces, which many of the Chopard Mille Miglia fans and owners, have always wished or wanted
. A racing aesthetic but with the L.U.C movements. It has sort of happened now, with these three 2012 rose-gold SuperFastS with movements from Fleurier Ebauches.A brief introduction about Fleurier Ebauches. This new set up was founded by Chopard in 2008, located very near to the Chopard Manufacture which manufactures the L.U.Cs .
Fleurier Ebauches sits on a land area of 6000 square meters with a production surface area of 5100 square meters and the primary objective is to achieve independence in movement-manufacturing with the capabilities to fabricate all components eventually and supplies them to the Chopard group. The 38-staff unit, currently has production capacity of 5,000 movements/year and plan to scale up to 15000 movements/year by next year!
Let have a look at the three models for the 2012 SuperFast Collection.
(These pieces were photographed at different time of the day, as and when they were available, thus the background varied :-) )
Firstly, the SuperFast Automatic ...
The smaller of the three models, at diameter 41mm, 18K rose gold case rated water resistance up to 100m.
Crown is screw-in and Rubber-molded.
Sapphire is anti-reflective coated to reduce glare. Date aperture is interesting, quick glance, like a digital display.
Black dial decorated with vertical anthracite stripes. Hour & minute hands and hour-indexes are SuperLuminova coated. Rubber black strap is slick tyre-thread motif, different from Dunlop-thread motif of Mille Miglia. Deployant is of 18ct rose gold .
Crown is screw-in and Rubber-molded.
Sapphire is anti-reflective coated to reduce glare. Date aperture is interesting, quick glance, like a digital display.
Black dial decorated with vertical anthracite stripes. Hour & minute hands and hour-indexes are SuperLuminova coated. Rubber black strap is slick tyre-thread motif, different from Dunlop-thread motif of Mille Miglia. Deployant is of 18ct rose gold .
Sapphire caseback spotting the openwork bridges automatic movement Calibre 01.01-M.
This time-only with date calibre has power reserve of 60 hours.
The openwork bridges required some months to test out for manufacturability and most important of all reliability in term of structural strength after removing materials with no side-effect in time-keeping. Calibre 01.01-M is COSC certified.
Though Fleurier Ebauches movements are 'industrialised version', the finishing is still impressive!
Next is SuperFast Power Control ....
Spotting a bigger case than the Automatic version, at diameter 45mm and height of 12.40mm.
The Power Control version, with power reserve indicator (like a fuel gauge) at 9H and the small second at 6H.
The Power Control version, with power reserve indicator (like a fuel gauge) at 9H and the small second at 6H.
Side of case shaped like engine-cooling-fins, similarly like the dial and the bridges design.
Integrated rubber strap maintain a seamless connection to the case.
The lug design is designed to curve down fast which is good even for smaller wrist.
Would prefer the minute to be longer, for easy and more accurate read out ...
Crown-protectors flanking the rubber-molded screw-down crown with steering-wheel logo.
Movement is automatic Calibre 01.02-M with 60 hours of power reserve. COSC certified too.
18K Rose gold deployant buckle with black rubber slick tyre motif strap.
Finally, the flyback SuperFast Chrono, after event dinner
Also in the bigger 45mm 18K rose gold case.
Interesting to see the bolder brother of L.U.C Chrono One
This case is 1mm larger and thicker than the L.U.C Chrono One.
One point to note, the black rubber strap for the SuperFast Chrono is supposedly to be the slick-tyre motif type, the above Dunlop-tyre thread motif strap was just a demo. Pretty good combo too
Similar to ChronoOne, SuperFast Chrono is a flyback chronograph with small second reset for precise time adjustment.
With the increased diameter, a tachometer can be added comfortably.
For the chronograph functions, t he sub-dial starting from 3H is the 30-minute-counter, small-second at 6H and 12-hour accumulator at 9H whereas the chronograph second hand is the red central-hand.
The anti-reflective coated sapphire crystal displayed its effectiveness in reducing glare as the shown in pictures above.
Perhaps the "arena" caseback sapphire should be coated too, for a clearer view of the openwork movement, as the movement is seated further away from the sapphire surface.
Continuous flow line from pusher to pusher.
Crown and pushers are all of 18K rose gold and rubber over-molded.
An illustration with the crown out ...
18K Deployant buckle to complement the rubber strap.
Rubber coated 18K gold pushers and diameter 8mm crown ...
Height of this case is 15.18mm with water resistance rating to 100m.
Several pictures of the beautiful automatic 03.05-M chronograph Calibre ...
The 03.05-M is also COSC certified, with a power reserve of 60 hours.
Though this caliber is similar to that inside of the ChronoOne, there are slight differences.
The balance wheel in L.U.C ChronoOne calibre is the Variner Balance type while this is not. Another is the tactile feedback of the pushers.
The L.U.C ChronoOne positive 'buttery' feedback requires hours to be adjusted to reach the tactile response. Thus it is understandable as the Fleurier Ebauches movements are more industrialised and assembled at a faster rate than crafted L.U.C.
However, this piece I tested, the feedback was decent, at least half as good as the ChronoOne (qualitative wise by feel) .
Though this caliber is similar to that inside of the ChronoOne, there are slight differences.
The balance wheel in L.U.C ChronoOne calibre is the Variner Balance type while this is not. Another is the tactile feedback of the pushers.
The L.U.C ChronoOne positive 'buttery' feedback requires hours to be adjusted to reach the tactile response. Thus it is understandable as the Fleurier Ebauches movements are more industrialised and assembled at a faster rate than crafted L.U.C.
However, this piece I tested, the feedback was decent, at least half as good as the ChronoOne (qualitative wise by feel) .
Column wheel is clearly displayed ...
A comparison between the 01.01-M (in Superfast Automatic) and the 03.05-M (in Superfast Chrono)
Some wristshots photographed during the pre-dinner cocktail session ....
The
41mm Superfast Automatic is supposedly to target at gentlemen with
small wrists and also sporty ladies. Fortunately, to have a lady from
the Chopard Team to lend us a hand
She has a petite wrist and the SuperFast Automatic looks really good on her.
She has a petite wrist and the SuperFast Automatic looks really good on her.
Could be a couple watch too
The above photograph is important, it shows the side view of how the 41mm Superfast Automatic can seat snugly on small wrist. However to score for proper fit for small wrists, Chopard will need to consider shorter straps and also shorter deployant buckle. Otherwise, ardillon buckle should be an option.
The 45mm Superfast Power Control is too large for her wrist ... even for mine too.
If the lugs are shorter or curved down faster, it may be possible to embrace the small wrist segment.
Perfect fit (on me) with the SuperFast Automatic
After looking at the three models, which is your favourite?
Look out for Part 2 of 2, will provide an event run-down of the exciting launch day at the Ascari Race Resort.
Stay tune for friends who love Speed!
Kong
PS : To view Part 2 of 2 - please click here.
A Chinese translated version is available, please click here to access.
This message has been edited by Kong on 2013-02-19 18:01:15
Comments:
foversta December 10th, 2012-13:22
Thanks a lot Kong for the great report! Honestly, I'm not a great fan of these watches, I much prefer Chopard when they play a different tune... It is the reason why I my fav of this collection is the SuperFast Automatic, the most simple one. Fx
Kong December 11th, 2012-01:25
My preference too ... Thanks for viewing FX. In the morning during the presentation, I don't like the Superfast Power Control. Felt the white patch disturb the harmony of the sleek dark tone of the watch. Strangely, after repeated viewing for the whole day, the Power Control l...
amanico December 10th, 2012-13:58
Any pictures of Marbella? I spent my childhood, there!!!
Kong December 11th, 2012-01:27
Oh, you flew to everywhere Vlad :-) Marbella pictures, no, as it was a turnaround trip. But aerial views along the way to Ronda, I will dig out a few for you later :-) Do you not like any of the SuperFast pieces? kong
amanico December 11th, 2012-01:33
AAah Ronda. One of my first girlfriend was from there! ;) But after making several holes in her neck, I had to change my plans and the girlfriend... :) Well, as for the SuperFast pieces, these are not my favourite Chopard Watches... My heart is still taken , and my brain obsessed, by this Pocket / Wrist Watch I ...
Kong December 11th, 2012-01:38
Wise choice! I mean the longing for the L.U.C Tribute ( one of my favs too) , not the girl :-) Next time learn how to do 'double tap' :-) Ronda pics soon. kong
amanico December 11th, 2012-01:44
She must be a vampire, now, so you'd better not cross her way. ;) As for the L.U.C Tribute, that watch is really something! I should manage to arrange a photo session for this watch! Best, Nicolas
Kong December 11th, 2012-01:47
Wow! That will be great ... you can arrange a shoot of the Tribute. Think you watch too many times of "Twilight Saga" :-) kong
AnthonyTsai December 10th, 2012-19:07
The Superfast Chronograph is my favorite of the 3 I absolutely LOVE what Chopard did with the movement. The skeletonization of the plates is AWESOME! This is probably one of the most beautiful industrial racing inspired movements I've ever seen. Well done Chopard! Cheers, Anthony ...
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AnthonyTsai
Chopard Classic Racing collection adds new Superfast Automatic, Power Control, and Chrono
AnthonyTsai
The Classic Racing collection, encompassing models inspired by the world of car racing, is now enriched with three superlative watches heralding a new era for Chopard. The Superfast Automatic, Superfast Power Control and Superfast Chrono are indeed the first watches in this iconic collection to be equipped with Chopard movements entirely designed, developed and assembled in-house, in the Fleurier Ebauches workshops. Chopard is laying a new milestone in its rich history. The Classic Racing collection, which ...
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