A brand new movement for the Geneva Watchmaking School

 

Contemporary homage to horological expertise   

It is a bridge between tradition and modern times, a tribute to time-honoured know-how expressed in a distinctly contemporary manner. To celebrate its one and a half centuries of existence, Chopard is presenting the L.U.C Louis-Ulysse – The Tribute model, a historically inspired timepiece enriched with undeniably modern accents. The L.U.C Louis-Ulysse – The Tribute model is a pocket-watch which can be transformed into a wristwatch in homage to Louis-Ulysse Chopard, who founded Chopard in 1860. It is also a reinterpretation of an invention of Karl Scheufele I: the founder of Eszeha, the Scheufele family company, who is today the owner of Chopard developed in 1912 an ingenious system allowing a pocket-watch to be worn on the wrist. This innovative watch  is available in limited edition.

Inspired by a pocket-watch, but reinterpreted as a contemporary object, the L.U.C Louis-Ulysse – The Tribute model enshrines a century and a half of Chopard's horological heritage. This exceptional timepiece that is both a pocket-watch and a wristwatch features a blend of identity codes and draws inspiration from modern times while evoking some of Chopard's finest hours.

Watchmaking literature mentions a patent filed by Karl Scheufele I for special lugs designed to fasten a pocket-watch and transform it into a wristwatch. Based on this idea, the designers and watchmakers at Chopard Manufacture have developed the L.U.C Louis Ulysse – The Tribute model that can be transformed from pocket-watch to wristwatch in one swift move, and vice-versa. The original system based on “adjustable lugs” alone has now been replaced by an extremely reliable cradle system that considerably facilitates handling. The case is placed inside it and firmly clasped between the adjustable lugs by a simple quarter-turn of the cradle base. Switching back from wristwatch to pocket-watch is equally as simple.

A brand new movement for the Geneva Watchmaking School

Crafted in white gold and featuring satin-brushed and polished finishes, the generously sized 49.6 mm-diameter case is water-resistant to 30 metres.

Distinguished by its bow and its crown at 12 o'clock, it houses the new L.U.C EHG Pocket Watch movement, a proprietary  movement especially developed by Chopard for the students at the Geneva Watchmaking School to assist them in creating their “school piece” marking the culmination of their studies and representing a major landmark in any watchmaking career. With this movement intended for the local watchmaking school, Chopard is affirming its support for training and for apprentice watchmakers, while also paying tribute to the city of Geneva that has welcomed Chopard since 1937.

This mechanical hand-wound movement oscillates at a cadence of 21,600 vibrations per hour and is endowed with an over 80-hour power reserve. Driving the hour and minute hands as well as small seconds at 6 o'clock, this movement is chronometer-certified by the COSC and also stamped with the prestigious Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark.

Protected by a cambered sapphire crystal, the “lacquered ceramic” dial inspired by a historical model bears the legend “L.U.Chopard 1860” at 12 o'clock, in accordance with the practice of brand founder Louis-Ulysse Chopard, as well as the red L.U.C logo at 6 o'clock. It carries the signature features of the new L.U.C watch DNA: Dauphine fusée-type hour and minute minutes, as well as Roman typography for the letters and numerals evoking a classic Chopard dial and reflecting the style prevalent in the 1940s and 1950s, while appearing in a more square-cut, modern interpretation.

The hand-sewn matt black alligator leather strap is fastened by a pin buckle adorned with the Chopard logo.The L.U.C Louis-Ulysse – The Tribute model comes with a chain allowing it to be worn as a pocket-watch.

This contemporary homage to the art of watchmaking represented by the L.U.C Louis-Ulysse – The Tribute model is issued in a limited edition of 150 to mark Chopard's 150^th birthday.  

Technical details

Case:

·      18-carat white gold

·      Total diameter                                           49.60 mm

·      Thickness without fastening system             11.27 mm

·      Thickness including fastening system           14.50 mm

·      Water-resistant to                                      30 metres

·      18-carat white gold crown with L.U.C logo   7.20 mm

·      Glare-resistant cambered sapphire crystal

·      Exhibition back

Movement :

·      Pocket movement        

·      Mechanical  hand-wound movement             L.U.C EHG (Geneva Watchmaking School)

·      Total diameter                                           43.20 mm

·      Thickness                                                  5.50 mm

·      Number of jewels                                       20

·      Frequency                                                 21,600 vph

·      Power reserve                                           80 hours

·      Bridges adorned with “Côtes de Genève” motif

·      Chronometer-certified (COSC)

·      Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark

Dial and hands:     

·      White dial in “lacquered ceramic”

·      Black Dauphine fusée-type hour and minute hands

Functions and displays:

·      Central hour and minute hands

·      Small seconds at 6 o'clock

Strap and buckle:

·      Hand-sewn black alligator leather strap

·      18-carat white gold pin buckle

Ref. 161923-1001                   Limited edition : 150