Chopard

Probably the Thinnest Automatic Tonneau - L.U.C XP Tonneau (Updated)

 

For this year Chopard has another surprise for lovers of tonneau shape pieces.  A new L.U.C XP Tonneau, yes, extra-plate, and probably the thinnest tonneau self-winding extra-plate at 7.22mm.

The previous tonneau L.U.C was created in 2001, five years after the forming of L.U.C.  Mr Karl-Friedrich Scheufele ensured the engine inside conformed to the tonneau-shaped case and  not adopted from a round calibre with a tonneau-shaped spacer.  This particular attention to details is very comforting, as we could see  the personality of the leader of the L.U.C is authentic and does not take the easy way out from the beginning.

The new L.U.C XP Tonneau moved away from the previous more muscular version besides the thickness reduction.  Previous case dimension is 40.00 mm X 39.00 mm.  The new XP Tonneau is 40.00mm X 37.00mm, also slimmer by 2.00mm.  Water resistance with the new case has increased to 50m from previous 30m too.

This new version comes in 18K white gold and rose gold.

All sides of the XP Tonneau are brushed finished whereas the top and bottom sides are polished.

The slender bezel gives an impression of a bigger watch as the Sunburst silvered brushed dial now has more surface area.
Anti-glare sapphire crystal reduces glare and  provides sharp view of the dial face-on.

The hour and minute hands spotting the new Dauphine fusée-type design and are rhodium-plated for the white-gold case or gold plated for the rose-gold plated.

Decent contrast with reflective light.  Likewise for the hour-indexes, they are either rhodium or gold-plated corresponding to the case metals.

Mirroring the opposite side and same polishing theme, satin-brushed  with a polished 18K  L.U.C signed crown.

Beautifully finished COSC certified Calibre 3.97 with double stacked-barrel providing 65 hours of power reserve.  Maximum juice in a slim body!

Sapphire caseback is also anti-glare for great enjoyment viewing the engine. 
Côtes de Genève decoration on the bridges, and perlage on hidden undersides. 

A solid 22K gold micro-rotor.

Update :  This L.U.C 3.97 has two obvious improvements.  The small second hacks when the crown is pulled for time adjustment and when depressing the crown back, the minute-hand stayed and did not jump a bit  like previously.  This is good news!


Comes with hand-sewn black or brown alligator leather strap and 18K tang buckle.

The lugs are redesigned so that the watch would sit nicely on a smaller wrist.  A broader wrist will enhance the fit though.








Now, L.UC has two variations of Tonneau shaped which could address a bigger audience.  For friends who like a more classic look, perhaps, you could check out the previous version, and those who prefer the best of both worlds, a contemporary and stylish extra-flat, this new L.U.C XP Tonneau should please.

It will be great to hear your observations.

Thanks for viewing.

Kong







This message has been edited by Kong on 2010-11-08 23:32:34