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MTF's engaging 2010 post sparks a unique community tradition: the 'Annual PuristS Bee Count' for Chopard L.U.C watches. This article delves into the fascinating detail of the bees engraved on L.U.C casebacks, a subtle yet significant element for collectors. It explores the variations in bee counts and engraving techniques, offering a deep dive into the artisanal nuances that define Chopard L.U.C's heritage.
Whats a Chopard LUC forum without a bee discussion every few weeks? 
We have not had an infamous LUC Bee Discussion recently -- "Holy Apiary, forumners -- what have you been doing whilst I've been away?"
There is no official number of bees on the LUC logo. PuristS consider the median number to bee 42 (geddit?). No, not because we all believe in the 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'....well, maybe a bit because of that, but mainly because that is really the median number from previous polls. Also, that is the number on the Chopard illustratons (see below):
The Bees
The Bee Keeper
This is the artisan who makes those bees come alive at Chopard LUC. From his skilled hands, all our engraved bees are born. Of course, the stamped bes don't count. Well, actually the bees can count but we don't accept them for the Annual PuristS Bee Count (ApBC). We only count the engraved casebacks for entry into the ApBC.
The lowest number used to be 40 and the highest was 45 bees. Can we extend those limits this year?
1) Please post your engraved bee count (or counts if you have more than one LUC caseback).
2) Photographic evidence would be required for those claiming high and low records.
Regards,
MTF
The number of the bees! Best, CaliforniaJed
Then No 41 would have 41 bees. A bit of poetic licence for sure. Regards, Richard.
Thanks Jed! I also have 43 bees on a LUC 16/1860/1 but the first series of only 100 pieces had 'Officers' hinged casebacks that were stamped and not engraved. The good news is that we Series 1 owners, all have 43 bees, and that could be said to be the 'correct' number of bees for subsequent editions of the 16/1860 The bad news is that the ApBC records only apply to hand-engraved bees. Regards, MTF
However, I gotta ask why? Why WG got no love from the engraver Best Tyler
Jed, "Stamped" is a harsh and wrong word, so I have been told by 'Chopard sources'. It is not stamped but etched...... More later in a sub-thread of the 3 versions of the caseback at Chopard...... Regards, MTF
Forumners, Your intrepid acting moderator explorer has scaled the mountains higher and swum the Lac Leman deeper, to discover the mysteries of Chopard Bees. There are (currently) 3 recognised version of bees. In chronological order: Version 1 Hand engraved serial number with mechanically marked (etched) logo hive and bees Version 2 Hand perlaged background with mechanically marked hive logo and no bees. The perlage process scared all the bees into the hive! Versiion 3 Hand engraved logo hive & b
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