quattro
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The L.U.C Quattro Spirit of ‘72
The white gold L.U.C Quattro Spirit of ‘72, ref. 161977-1008, is a unique piece honouring legendary racing driver and Chopard Ambassador Jacky Ickx.
The year is 1972: a Ferrari prototype roars through Spa, Belgium, with Jacky Ickx at the wheel, etching a moment of racing history in time.
In qualifying, Icks got the pole position; unfortunately in the race, a poorly fixed wheel deprived him of victory.
Chopard Ambassador Jacky Ickx, said: “Racing is an emotion lived at speed. This watch slows time to a moment and lets that emotion endure.”
The dial faithfully reproduces the famous image titled “Ferrari 312 PB – 1972”, captured by renowned photographer Rainer W. Schlegelmilch.
Executed inhouse at Chopard’s Manufacture in Fleurier by a master artisan enameller, the dial is a miniature painting in Grand Feu enamel.
Executed inhouse at Chopard’s Manufacture in Fleurier by a master artisan enameller, the dial is a miniature painting in Grand Feu enamel.
The composition foregrounds the iconic 312 PB and Ickx’s helmet with clarity, while blurred spectators convey the impression of speed — an effect rarely seen in this medium.
Chopard Ambassador Jacky Ickx, said: “Racing is an emotion lived at speed. This watch slows time to a moment and lets that emotion endure.”
The following images are (poor) screenshots from @yohann_artintime, Monaco, where the watch was delivered: link here.
The sapphire crystal case back reveals Jacky Ickx’s autograph, reproduced alongside the inscription ‘1000 km de Spa 1972’.
The sapphire crystal case back reveals Jacky Ickx’s autograph, reproduced alongside the inscription ‘1000 km de Spa 1972’.
Karl Friedrich Scheufele, CoPresident of Chopard, said:
“The L.U.C Quattro Spirit of ’72 unites Haute Horlogerie with a page of motorsport history, handpainted in enamel and powered by a calibre whose autonomy and precision honour the discipline of endurance racing.”
Jacky Ickx stands as a true motorsport icon.
Jacky Ickx stands as a true motorsport icon.
He claimed a record-breaking six victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans between 1969 and 1982, secured 8 Formula One wins and 25 podium finishes, and tackled the gruelling Paris-Dakar rally no fewer than 14 times.
credit: @yohann_artintime & Chopard
credit: @yohann_artintime & Chopard
If you are interested, I have listed here all the variants to date of the L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25.
Thanks for reading.
Best, Emmanuel
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The L.U.C Quattro Spirit of ‘72
The white gold L.U.C Quattro Spirit of ‘72 , ref. 161977-1008, is a unique piece honouring legendary racing driver and Chopard Ambassador Jacky Ickx . The year is 1972 : a Ferrari prototype roars through Spa , Belgium , with Jacky Ickx at the wheel, etchi...
Another interesting variety of the Quattro…
Although I have to say it would work much better in my eyes, if the hour window was at 12 o’clock rather than 6, so as not to cut into the car on the dial 😊🤷🏻♂️
The movement doesn't allow to move the hour window, unfortunately.
And KFS wanted it to be at 6 o'clock since the creation of the QS25 because when the minute hand reaches 12, you want to be able to see the hour disc jump!
I get the seeing bit…
It the position could be changed freely - it’s like a date disc. The only thing you would need to do is to print different hour discs so as to align them with the position on the dial. Which for a small series they might not be willing to do but at this p...
Yes, I’m almost certain that they
could have done it differently. Which leads me to think that this design is deliberate: they are probably satisfied with it and, to a certain extent, I think I can understand why (as I explained in my other answer)…
Yes, I understand. It's the jumping hour window, not the date, and
KF Scheufele wanted it to be placed at 6 o'clock since the creation of the model (Quattro Spirit 25) in order to be able to see the hour jumping without the minute hand being in front of it at 12 o'clock... So, I guess this particular image isn't well sui...
Thanks for the clarification 👍
Maybe I was too harsh, but I believe no window at all should be in that spot on such a beautiful dial. Stuff like this drives me crazy. lol. I can’t help it 😁. Just add an hour hand and it will be perfect 😂
I’m not attracted to this timepiece, tbh.
Cars and racing don’t speak to me. 🤷🏽♂️ Best, Emmanuel
I am imagining my print of Michael & Mario Andretti on my wrist
It would have to be a smart watch though… now I see it can put hours and minutes on the wheels! ...
I imagine they could have done something like this, yes.
But, tbh, I personally don't mind the hour window here. If the automotive theme spoke to me (it doesn't at all), I would probably find this watch quite nice. Best, Emmanuel
An old saying...
...I 'could' wear my pajamas to the opera, but it's probably not the best thing : )
Although beauty is in the eye of the beholder...
Both the subject matter, and most importantly, execution matters a great deal in achieving the desired outcome on miniature paintings. Unfortunately, this artwork fails to achieve the sense of speed and excitement that the original photo entailed. This is...
Thank you for this very detailed and interesting critical comment.
I must say, first of all, that as a Quattro Spirit 25 owner myself, and having met the enameler, who is a charming fellow, I am undoubtedly biased. Furthermore, not being at all interested in the world of cars and motor racing, this watch doesn't appeal t...
Works for me! Somehow I'm more willing to pardon intrusion of a jump hour vs a date display. Although the folks who didn't like it had me wondering how that could have been improved.
Maybe it would have been better if the hour display was lower on that dial so it would be below the Ferrari?
Yes, maybe, but the more I look at this dial, the more it feels ok for me:
I think this digital window fits well with the world of motor racing and I wonder if the fact that the window interrupts the front of the car doesn’t help emphasizing the impression of speed… But I know I might just be biased: I’ve met the enameler who is...
You guys just ruined perfectly nice watch, thank you
now all i can see is the window on the dial.
As surprising as it may seem, I personally don't mind the hour window:
the more I look at this dial, the more it feels ok for me: I think this digital window fits well with the world of motor racing and I wonder if the fact that the window interrupts the front of the car doesn’t help emphasizing the impression of speed… But ...
My pleasure! I'm personally not into racing and cars,
so this watch doesn't really speak to me, but I understand the appeal for anyone who is into the automotive theme. Best, Emmanuel
That really is a stunning looking L.U.C Quattro Spirit of ‘72.
Not a Ferrari fan but am a L.U.C Chopard fan and motor racing fan and I think that dial is just stunning, I could happily stare at it for hours looking at all the minute details. Marc
I'm glad you like it, Marc!
This dial is probably even more stunning in real life! Best, Emmanuel
I think you’re right: not to be looked at
with a 10x magnification. I think KFS and Ickx are real friends: this watch is a friendly gift, a piece unique which won’t be sold, that’s all. Best, Emmanuel
There has been some debate because of
the hour window interrupting the front of the car, but, like you, I think they’ve done a nice job (me not being a racing enthusiast). Best, Emmanuel