Chopard

Hi All,

As always I turn to all of you very well informed and opinionated watch enthusiasts.  I would love to hear everyones opinion on these pieces, which they like better, why, and anything else you would like to add about each.  No parameters here, or specific questions, just whatever you feel like adding about each watch.  Also, if anyone has some pictures or wrist shots they would like to add, please feel free.  Look forward to everyones posts!

Godspeed,

Scott D

I tried the Chrono One on my wrist today for the first time. In person, it's much more striking than I've seen in photographs.

This message has been edited by GregE on 2008-03-02 21:07:47

    Thanks Greg.  Where did you try this this piece on at?  Im assuming there was some heft to the watch, it looks like a well proportioned piece.

Godspeed,

Scott D

Hey Greg!

So you finally...finally.....got one.

Its a great looker "on the wrist" and the chronograph function and action is one of the best....can you confirm?

Alas, I could not read the chronograph counters as my eyes are always drawn to the date disk and finishing on the dial-side of the movement..........

Regards, MTF

Hi MTF,

As you know, I bought the watch sight unseen based primarily for the movement -- first in-house chrono, limited to 100 pieces, sort of "special" care construction, whatever that means. Mine does have a solid and silky pusher movement as you describe. To me, it's more of a technical-sport-statement chronograph than a classic-dress type watch. My focus is on the totality of the watch rather than the chronograph function. So, it isnt' the easiest to read, but for me it's one of those things I wouldn't have taken note of if it wasn't mentioned in the first place.

It does have a lot of heft to the watch. It feels really solid and might wear a little bigger than 42.

Those are just my quick, preliminary first impressions.

Greg

LOL 

"...one of those things I wouldn't have taken note of if it wasn't mentioned in the first place"

I don't wanna be the guy to taint your fun  :-(

But then again, I recommended the watch to you and you got it sight unseen, so you must trust me....just a little?  Pretty please? 

Regards, MTF

...so I could see this magnificent piece.  I am very close to pulling the trigger on it, however noone in NYC seems to have this piece available.  It was my mistake, I thought that you were viewing at the AD, but it seems as though you are the proud owner.  Congrats on purchasing this beauty.

Godspeed,

Scott D

. . . your dream Chopard. These cats were as cool as Steve McQueen in the opening scene of "The Thomas Crown Affair" . . . . I guess that's how business is done in the big leagues ;-) . . . best regards, Art

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Very very nice!  I hope you bring this to the next PuristS gathering cause I'm dying to see this watch in person!  I did see it in person before but it was through the opaque plastic protective bag

Btw, is the watch pretty thick?  

Cheers,
Anthony

But when i saw it in Stockholm where i live and now again on your picture is that the factory strap is to far away from the case. I think they should have put the lugholes further in on the lugs so you dont get such a big gap but a fatter custom strap would solve the problem.

congrats!

No message body This message has been edited by sdd7820 on 2008-03-04 04:14:39

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“L.U.C Chrono One” Concept Watch was issued for the 10th anniversary of Chopard Manufacture in Fleurier so it was not made at the Geneva factory, geography being the primary qualification for a Geneva Seal; it just ain't possible

L.U.C. Chrono One was crafted in a limited numbered edition of 100 white gold watches. In terms of the movement, it is a pre-series ("0" series) crafted by hand prior to industrial production. It has fly-back ability.....

 

Regards, MTF

Ive only seen pictures of the movement, however it looks beautifully finished.  I wasnt aware of how the Geneva Seal is awarded, thank you for clearing that up for me.  It seems as though this watch and movement are very special.  I have been hearing that Chopard may be using the movement in the future for other variants of this watch.  Also, you mention that this is a pre-series and crafted by hand.  Is this for all 100 pieces, and can you tell me a little more about this?

Godspeed,

Scott D
This message has been edited by sdd7820 on 2008-03-04 16:38:30

The 1st series of 100 pieces of LUC Chrono One is a celebration of 10th anniversary of LUC factory at Fleurier.

They have been given extra special hand crafted attention and adjustment in honour of that....all 100 pieces...slowly...one by one...hence the delay getting to shops.

Don't rub it in.

Regards, MTF

Ill try not to, but this watch seems like a real gem.  At this point I am trying to get as much info on this piece as possible, for a potential purchase.  All of your info has been very valuable, thank you very much.

Godspeed,

Scott D

Hi Scott, I managed to examine the Chrono One at the Chopard Boutique, Ngee Ann City Singapore. While the Chrono One is a major milestone for LUC, the legibility of the sub-dials are not be as readable as I would like them to be. If you notice the, the white date disc and the white hands on the sub-dials make reading the transparent counters hard. Think LUC overdid on the transparency design. So one up for the Lunar! Other than that, the pushers are great to use! JM2CW.

Cheers!
Lionel

No message body This message has been edited by sdd7820 on 2008-03-06 00:48:53

awaiting for more inputs.

chopard.watchprosite.com

Kong

and a few further thoughts on the "pre-series hand assembled" nature of the Chrono One -

MTF, are you sure Chopard uses the term "pre-series?"  This has very specific, very important definitions in the industry, not much different than "prototype" In fact, it is a prototype, of sorts - a "production" prototype, to check how a small run exhibits unit variances, which are studied through regression analysis and other techniques to "project" how large scale production will behave, statistically.

If Chopard themselves admit these are "pre-series" and uses that specific term, that makes the Chrono One that much more special and interesting, especially to collectors of prototypes such as myself.

That said, I would like to note that

a. there is considerable "variation" in individual units as far as crown "feel" - winding, hand setting, etc - this is consistent with "blue printed" one engine maker one engine type approaches, such as MTF hinted at. However, this may be offputting to those who don't understand this and in fact, I nearly wrote this off to poor quality control (I was not aware the Chrono One is/is supposed to be a "pre-series")

b. chronograph pusher feel have been fairly consistent in the 6 examples (6% of total production) I have tried - very light, but very precise break over

c. there is a little bit of "sweep second hand jump" in 4 of the 6 samples I tried, which just further disproves the persistent, pernicious little internet myth that vertical clutch designs have NO second hand jump - sorry, this just ain't true, disproven empirically. 

d. there is a little bit of sweep second hand "chatter" - it is not a very precise, exact "step" motion consistent with a multiple of the escapement beat rate.  I have some suspicions about why this is, but I won't comment further on this until I have a chance to discuss it with those more experienced in the field and on the bench, of chronograph design and execution.

e. it wears well on the wrist, and nearly everyone who sees it (that notice or comment) are impressed with it, with positive things to say. (but then, unless a piece was a REAL dog, and even then, would you really expect people to say anything but complimentary things?!?)

f. it is heavy, and actually has a heft more like Pt than wg. Unusually, it still wears well and does not have a tendency to flop around the wrist, like most off balance (from the rest of the strap and buckle) Pt or heavy watch heads.

Cheers,

TM

term comes from the press release at first introduction to the world of what used to be  project GT3 (2006).

Also, Mr KFS mentioned the hand-crafted adjustment of the 100 pieces "to check on production standards" when the first LUC Chrono One was delivered in Singapore in 2007.

I thought you might like that.................

MTF

...for your excellent insight.  It is obvious to me that both watches are fabulous pieces and ones worthy of having in any collection.  Im going to the Chopard boutique in NYC this weekend to try BOTH on at the same time!  I never thought these two pieces would be in one place at the same time, but I guess I am was wrong, and lucky for me.  Ill post my experience with these watches very soon.

Godspeed,

Scott D

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