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Chopard's officer caseback watches
Since 1996, Chopard has made some of the best looking hinged caseback, 'officer' or 'hunter' style watches, imho.
All have been made in limited (sometimes very limited) editions. Here they are.
One regret? Yes, I think they would look even better without a date (this doesn't concern the tourbillon, of course). And I personally prefer the double index at twelve to the Arabic 12.
Have a nice Sunday!
1/ Ref. L.U.C. 16/1860/1 (36.5 mm case, caliber 1-96)
a/ Yellow gold (limited to 100 pcs)
credit: @homieliu for @hiddengemwatches
b/ White gold (limited to 100 pcs)
credit: mr watchley
2/ L.U.C. 1860 XPS Officer (40mm case with a pusher integrated to the crown to open the caseback, caliber L.U.C 96.01-L)
a/ White gold, white dial, ref. 161242-1001 (limited to 100 pcs)
credit: les rhabilleurs
b/ Yellow gold, green dial, ref. 161242-0001 (limited to 50 pcs)
credit: swiss watches magazine
c/ Royal Arms of England – Rule Britannia, ref. 161242-1002 (white gold, 8 pcs limited edition made to celebrate the opening of Chopard's Bond Street flagship boutique in London)
credit: monochrome
d/ Hodinkee edition, ref. 161242-1003 (white gold, limited to 25 pcs)
credit: time & tide (photos 1, 2, 5), @chris_min_photographys_as_art (photo 3) and @benclymer (photo 4)
e/ Vendôme One from 2021, ref. 161242-5001 (rose gold, blue dial, 8 pcs limited edition for the Paris boutique, place Vendôme)
credit: les rhabilleurs
f/ Vendôme One from 2024, ref. 161242-0002 (yellow gold, Bering blue dial, 8 pcs limited edition for the opening of the Chopard Hotel, place Vendôme)
credit: Chopard
g/ SHH (Sincere Haute Horlogerie) Edition (yellow gold, Royal blue dial, 12 pcs limited edition made to celebrate Chopard's collaboration with Sincere Fine Watches)
credit: SHH
3/ L.U.C 1860 Flying Tourbillon, ref. 161990-0001 (36.5mm case & caliber L.U.C 96.24-L, 10 pcs only)
credit: escapement (photos 1, 2, 6) & hodinkee
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Chopard's officer caseback watches
Since 1996, Chopard has made some of the best looking hinged caseback, 'officer' or 'hunter' style watches, imho. All have been made in limited (sometimes very limited) editions. Here they are. One regret? Yes, I think they would look even better without ...
Excellent post.
From the dial side, Rule Britannia is my favorite. From the case engraving, Paris Boutique 2021 is my favorite. I agree that these would be better without a date window. Thanks, M4
Thank you, M4!
I personally have a hard time telling which is my favorite! Probably the yellow gold/green dial XPS if it didn't have an Arabic 12.
Very informative and comprehensive. Thank you for this!
I remember debating between a preowned 16/1860/1 (which were harder to find but still available years ago) and the 16/1860/2 (which I ultimately got). A forum member here told me that Chopard had some problems with the hinged casebacks on the 1860/1, but ...
I personally liked this thinness and delicacy
when I had the chance to try on the white gold white dial variant back in 2022. I suppose it all depends on what one’s expecting…
Yes, the bee cell pattern is very nice,
as well as the beehive theme which symbolizes the manufacture itself.
A slight variation of the original white gold 1.96
The only difference between the second set of pictures (original 1.96 in white gold) and mine is the location of the edition number. On mine it is outside. I am wondering it i just a variation within the same batch. or a different release. I was told long...
Thanks for your insight and for sharing your piece!
Some questions will likely remain unanswered I’m afraid! Best.
Yes, it's correct that the 1860/1 series (100 in each gold metal) were hinged, followed in larger numbers by the 1860/2 series that came with two casebacks (one solid, one transparent).
I've never seen anyone with an 1860/2 actually install the solid caseback, though.
Fantastic post.
Thanks for all of these photos. I wish I could have one of each! There's something magical about the reveal of the 1.96 movement behind the hinged caseback. I smile every time.
I feel the same way! I would love such an officer case back.
Maybe someday. Thanks for chiming in. Best, Emmanuel