Manufacture
PuristS who can get to London, UK on Thursday 13th October 2016 should attend a free exhibition by Chopard. L.U.C - L'ART D'UNE MANUFACTURE exhibition at Phillips (Auctioneers), 30 Berkeley Square, London W1. The story about the creation of a fine watchmaking legacy is told and the Exhibition is ope
PuristS who can get to London, UK on Thursday 13th October 2016 should attend a free exhibition by Chopard.
L.U.C - L'ART D'UNE MANUFACTURE exhibition at Phillips (Auctioneers), 30 Berkeley Square, London W1.
The story about the creation of a fine watchmaking legacy is told and the Exhibition is open to the public between 10:00 and 19:30 Hours.
Admission is Free of Charge.
20 years of Chopard Manufacture - A quest for excellence and precision
In 1993, Chopard co-president Karl-Friedrich Scheufele proposed reviving the watchmaking heritage of the company’s founding father, Louis-Ulysse Chopard, and recapturing Chopard’s horological legitimacy. This resulted in the creation of Chopard Manufacture and their first in-house movement.
This self-winding movement – named L.U.C 1.96 in tribute to the company founder Louis-Ulysse Chopard, and subsequently renamed L.U.C 96.01 L – Chopard Manufacture was officially born in Fleurier in the autumn of 1996. L.U.C Calibre 96.01-L – featuring bidirectional automatic winding via a 22-carat micro-rotor, a small seconds display at 6 o’clock and a 65-hour power reserve – that was duly chronometer-certified and bore the Poinçon de Genève. It equipped the very first L.U.C model: the L.U.C 1860.
This solution was a perfect fit with Karl-Friedrich Scheufele’s expectations: “Since the founding of Chopard Manufacture in 1996, our Haute Horlogerie L.U.C collection has set itself the objective of offering unique solutions, whether in terms of R&D or design. The decision taken in 1993 to opt for a self-winding micro-rotor movement is entirely in line with this wish. The fact of coupling the oscillating weight with two stacked barrels represented a complex technical solution that also expresses our passion for horological complications.”
After L.U.C Calibre 96.01-L, Chopard Manufacture gradually presented other calibres.
In 2009, the famous PuristS collectors' group awarded the ‘PuristSPro Purity Prize’ honouring “the pursuit of perfection in an imperfect world” to Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and Chopard. It was for the exceptional work he had accomplished with Chopard Manufacture since 1996. At that time, it was for the five proprietary movements developed by Chopard Manufacture within 10 years, and above all for the “technical and aesthetic excellence” of the L.U.C Lunar One, a perpetual calendar with complete moon-phase display launched in 2005.
In 2016, as Chopard Manufacture celebrates its 20 years of existence, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele can take delight in the 11 extraordinary base movements to date, along with 87 variations.
L.U.C 1963 Chrono PuristS' Edition in steel case
Chopard Manufacture is celebrating its 20th birthday with a flurry of new movements and exceptional creations, presented throughout the year 2016.
Thanks to Chopard Manufacture, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele is justifiably proud that Chopard ranks among the great Haute Horlogerie firms by producing its L.U.C timepieces within an authentic Manufacture where tradition meets innovation.
See you there!
Regards,
MTF
The L.U.C 1860 reference is a notable offering within the L.U.C collection, distinguished by its focus on classical watchmaking principles and refined aesthetics. This particular model, introduced at Watches and Wonders 2023, represents a continuation of Chopard's commitment to high horology, emphasizing traditional craftsmanship and a discreet presentation. It is recognized for its balanced proportions and the integration of a finely finished movement, reflecting the brand's in-house manufacturing capabilities.
This reference features a case crafted from Lucent Steel, a proprietary alloy, measuring 36.5 mm in diameter. The watch is powered by the L.U.C 96.01-L automatic movement, which is visible through a sapphire crystal case back. This movement is equipped with a micro-rotor and offers a power reserve of approximately 65 hours. The dial is presented in a salmon color, complemented by a sapphire crystal on the front.
Appealing to collectors who value understated design and mechanical integrity, the L.U.C 1860 fits into the brand's lineup as a dress watch with significant horological merit. Its limited production and specific material choices contribute to its appeal among enthusiasts seeking a watch that combines traditional watchmaking with contemporary material science. The model is a testament to Chopard's ongoing development in its L.U.C range.
Where Karl-Freidrich Scheufele will "reveal the first ever L.U.C. Collection Traveller watches on Wednesday 12 October (the day before the public opening of the exhibition). If you\'d like to attend then RSVP to rsvp@ It\'s from an invitation received (QP magazine) but I think for purists it should be fine. It\'s on a first come first serve basis so I advise you to send RSVPs as soon as you can (that\'s what they advise in their invite). Julian
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