Chopard

Quick Impression : MM GT XL Chrono Speed Black 3, Ref :168459-3008

 

This Speed Black 3 (Boutique Exclusive and limited to 1,000)  excited me when I saw the visual and the Press Release materials just before Basel 2008.
I believe many of our friends here were attracted to it too.
Though knowing the design and movement are the same as last year 2007 GT XL  Chrono.

Perhaps many of us like Black or stealthy sporty watches.

This Wednesday received information, 2 pieces arrived in Singapore with the MM GT XL Chrono 2008.
Also received several emails and a few text messages from friends that they are considering purchasing.
I have to go to the Boutique to check it out before they are gone ( and to make a decision).

Taken some photos to share with all of you...

The dial is of 2 colours - Black base with Silver print for all markings (including the 3 sub-dials)  and letterings.

White is represented by the twelve individual White-Superluminova coated indices, the hands and the oversized '6' & '12'  o'clock numerals.

The external tachometer scales are engraved bezel.
To read, may need to tilt the watch to cut-down the glare.

The above frontal pic is important.

Look at it for a while, a sense of clutter creeped in... the dial is a bit busy with too much text/wordings on the right-side. At the same time, it get monotonous. As Anthony Tsai (in previous post) and a friend of mine commented, if there could be a touch of bright colour like red, orange or yellow... it may break the monotony and more refreshing.

The reverse-cyclop magnifier is an innovative approach to elimiinate  the ugly lump on the crystal.
However the cyclop seems to be shifted more to the right overlapping into the outer-ring (and touches the '15' marker). The date display now also looks lopsided too...causing the loss of symmetry and pretty unsightly.






Referring back to the visuals and PR release (picture above), the watch is positioned at angle thus the above observation will not be possible.  That's the reason, the above picture is crucial.

Perhaps the designer is trying to avoid having the cyclop on top of the brand and the model-name.

A fellow PuristS was with me, and he instinctively pointed it out when I passed the watch to him.

2 pictures for the caseback displaying the Valgrange A07.211 .

The rotor and movement are well finished.

Some may asked where is the Piece number.   It is not individually serialised, just marked on the sapphire of the caseback LE 1000.  The identity of each piece still can be traced with the casing number and movement number.






DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) blackened steel .... it is a hard film-coating of 2microns to 5 microns onto the steel. It increases the scratch resistance of the steel by many times.  Beside it is also known to be hypoallergenic.
DLC blades and foil are used in high-end men's and ladies shaver.

Deployant buckle is of also DLC blackened steel. 
Indeed the buckle needs the super scratch resistance properties


Some Wrist Shots From Various Angles (Courtesy of Zephyr49's wrist....as mine is too hairy! )

Conclusion

As mentioned, this model the design is similar to 2007 & 2008 GT XL Chrono Series. It was the magical and mysterious Black on White( Oh! its silver) dial design from the visual that attracted me. 
After seeing and trying it, to me, it actually looks good in print than 'in steel'.
It is very comfortable to wear and looks good on thin-wrist though it is a 44mm diameter piece.
Coupled with the price, somehow the excitement and enthusiasm fizzles off a bit.
As 'beauty is in the eyes of the beholder", please check it out 'in steel'.


** Would love to hear from others who have seen the Speed Black 3.  Please comment.

Thanks.


Kong

 

This message has been edited by Kong on 2008-05-31 06:56:12