Kong
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L.U.C Qualité Fleurier 2012
Combining the COSC, Chronofiable and Fleuritest trials, the Fleurier Quality certification is undoubtedly the most demanding of all watch recognitions. The new duly certified, elegant and refined Chopard L.U.C Qualité Fleurier model thus embodies the very essence of Haute Horlogerie.
L.U.C movements, entirely developed, crafted and assembled at the Chopard Manufacture in Fleurier since 1996, represent the quintessence of Haute Horlogerie, cultivated in harmony with the spirit of the brand founder, Louis-Ulysse Chopard. The multiple award-winning watches in the L.U.C collection are acknowledged as synonymous with horological excellence and meet the highest standards of Swiss craftsmanship.
Chopard has already submitted on three separate occasions one of these models to the Fleurier Quality Foundation test – an independent certification reputed to be extremely difficult to obtain. In 2012, the Manufacture once again unveils a L.U.C Qualité Fleurier model, proudly bearing both the “Qualité Fleurier” and “Chronometer” inscriptions on its dial.
A global certification
The Fleurier Quality label is a particularly demanding guarantee of quality granted by the Foundation bearing the same name. The Fleurier Quality Foundation is an independent certification body created in 2001. The certification is open to all Swiss and European watch brands, and operates under the control of a Technical Committee and the Foundation Council. The independence and the objectivity of these two bodies is guaranteed by the support of Swiss public authorities, including the Swiss Federal Government itself.
The certification process involves a series of steps aimed at guaranteeing not only the watch movement’s precision, but also its reliability, its durability and the quality of its aesthetic finishing. After the movement itself, the finished watch is also tested in simulated wearing conditions – hence the idea of global quality.
Three trials for one certification
The precision of each movement is tested by the benchmark authority in this field, the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), the only organisation in Switzerland entitled to deliver the much sought-after “chronometer” title. During the two weeks of testing that movement is put through various paces in five positions and at three different temperatures and the calibre’s variation in rate must fall within the tolerance range of -4/+6 seconds per day.
The durability and robustness are tested by the Chronofiable random sampling procedure conducted on a representative selection of finished watches. The latter are subjected to tests relating to ageing, heat, cold and damp, as well as to repeated pushing and pulling on the winding stem, to multiple triggering of the pushpieces, magnetic fields and violent impacts.
Finally, the smooth operation of the finished watch undergoes a further control by the Fleuritest machine specially developed by the Fleurier Quality Foundation to provide the most faithful possible simulation of wear on the wrist over a 24-hour cycle. The variation in rate is optically verified by a camera linked to a computer and must remain within 0 to +5 seconds for the entire 24-hour cycle.
Only timepieces that have successfully passed all three tests, and of which the movement features the required level of aesthetic finish, are deemed worthy to earn the Fleurier Quality certification.
L.U.C Qualité Fleurier
For the fourth time in its history, after the first L.U.C Qualité Fleurier in 2005, the L.U.C Tech Qualité Fleurier in 2009, and the L.U.C Triple Certification Tourbillon in 2011, Chopard Manufacture presents another new model bearing the prestigious label.
To underscore the exceptional qualities of this authentic precision instrument, the dial of the new L.U.C Qualité Fleurier reveals refined and original technical details that are focused on readability: the sunburst satin-brushed silver-toned base appears designed to catch and hold the light, creating a remarkable contrast with the gilded hands, while the slender applied gilded baton-shaped hour-markers are surrounded by a minute track.
The 39 mm-diameter, 18 carat rose gold case with a transparent back houses L.U.C Calibre 96.09-L featuring the “Twin” technology with double-stacked barrels providing approximately 65-hour power reserve. Beating at the rhythm of 28,800 vibrations per hour, it drives the hour, minute and small seconds functions at 6 o’clock. The new L.U.C Qualité Fleurier model is water-resistant to 30 metres and fitted with a hand-sewn brown alligator leather strap equipped with a rose gold pin buckle. This exceptional model is issued in a 300-piece limited edition.
Case
• Case in 18-carat rose gold
• Total diameter 39 mm
• Thickness 9.47 mm
• Water resistance 30 metres
• 18ct rose gold crown with L.U.C logo
• Glareproofed sapphire crystal
• Transparent case-back
Movement
• Self-winding L.U.C 96.09-L
• Diameter 27.40 mm
• Thickness 3.30 mm
• Number of jewels 29
• Frequency 28,800 vph
• Power reserve 65 hours
• Two stacked barrels, L.U.C “Twin” technology
• Chronometer-certified (COSC)
• “Fleurier Quality” certification
Dial and hands
• Sunburst satin-brushed silver-toned
• Gilded hour, minute and small seconds hands
Functions and displays
• Hours, minutes, small seconds at 6 o’clock
Strap and buckle
• Hand-sewn brown alligator leather strap
• 18K rose gold pin buckle
Ref. 161896-1004 Limited to 300 pcs
This message has been edited by Kong on 2012-07-20 01:37:54
