The PuristS Collectors Group Honours Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and Chopard Manufacture
Mr Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard with Dr Melvyn Teillol-Foo, CEO of PuristSPro
The PuristS collectors group is the most recognised worldwide association of private watch collectors and specialists. For the very first time since its founding in 1999, The PuristS collector's group has chosen to award an exceptional prize honouring “the pursuit of perfection in an imperfect world” to Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard. PuristSPro officially presented him in Geneva with this distinction for the exceptional work he has accomplished with Chopard Manufacture since its creation in 1996.
The award is a crowning recognition for the five proprietary movements developed by Chopard Manufacture within 10 years, and above all for the “technical and aesthetic excellence” of the L.U.C Lunar One, a perpetual calendar with complete moon-phase display launched in 2005.
Chronométrie 2009 International Timing Contest
On December 3rd 2009, the L.U.C Tourbillon Steel Wings model won third prize in the Chronométrie 2009 International Timing Contest in which a dozen or so prestigious watch manufacturers were competing. Specifically reserved for mechanical timepieces, this competition highlights scientific and technical expertise as well as horological innovation, while using modern procedures to test watches' timing precision as well as their resistance to magnetic fields and impacts.
Participants were divided into two categories: “Individuals”, encompassing independent watchmakers; and “Brands and movement manufacturers” – the category in which Chopard was competing. The watches in the competition underwent three timing trials corresponding to the requirements of the ISO 3159 norm, as well as tests of their resistance to shocks and magnetic fields. The L.U.C Tourbillon Steel Wings model, equipped with L.U.C Calibre 4TT and endowed with a 9-day power reserve, achieved a remarkable 906 points out of 1000, just three less than the competition winner.
Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-president of Chopard, is particularly delighted with this performance. “I am indeed pleased with this result. It positions our L.U.C watches firmly among the exclusive circle of manufacturers capable of making high-precision movements and also underlines our tireless quest for perfection and innovation on the eve of our 150th anniversary.”
Vertical integration and founding values
These awards come at a time when Chopard is clearly affirming its determination to maintain independence and to enhance the vertical integration of its production by creating Fleurier Ebauches SA, a new firm independent of Chopard Manufacture. The company's fundamental values – including know-how, quality, creativity, inventiveness and tradition – take on their full meaning with these distinctions that will no doubt continue to stimulate Chopard in its tireless quest for perfection and innovation.
* Was mentioned in Chopard Diary, please click here to view.
Signifcance of the PuristSPro Purity Prize Award Design
The motif is the purity of a square and circle; two of the three purest shapes created by Man. Yet the circle is ex-centred to demonstrate PuristS seeking perfection in an imperfect world.
The dimensions incorporate the numerals 1-7-8 as that is our numerical motto. The phonetic pronunciation of 1-7-8 in some chinese dialects means "All Together Prosper" to demonstrate our community spirit and belief that our passion, opinion and information can be shared by all. PuristS are about Win-Win situations and not "We win - so you lose".
The diameter of the circle is 99mm to remind us that ThePuristS family of websites started in 1999.
The sharp corners have been curved to be symbolic of our 'PuristS Safe' care and concern. The radius of the curved corners is 10mm to celebrate the 10th anniversary of PuristS and also embody the 'Perfect 10' marks awarded to the recipient.
The 316L stainless steel plate is 6mm thick.
The steel baseplate is fixed to the steel award with stainless steel screws and the total weight is about 2 kg.
Every visible flat surface is satin polished (NOT sand blasted) and completed with mirror-finish 45-degree 'anglage' on all edges, including the circle cut-out.
All wording are CNC milled and NOT etched.
The PuristSPro Purity Prize need not be awarded every year.
So tell us all the details?
How are winners picked?
We want to know more...MORE!!!
A
Its a mystery........ (Revised version with photos)
Thanks for your support.....all of YOU selected the winner without knowing it.
The People, Process and Product of the PuristSPro Purity Prize are State secrets of Biblical proportions! 
In order to ensure incorruptibility against political lobbying and vote-rigging, the details are shrouded in mystery.
PPP may emerge sporadically, or not at all. It is not about the most complicated whizz-bang novelties although a bit of haute horlogerie helps. It is about watchmakers and products that embody the PuristS spirit.
It is not necessarily tied to one product or act; it took the 'Wise Judges' (a.k.a. The Watchers) five years (5 - count them!) to finally award the First PPP to Mr KFS and Chopard LUC Manufacture for more than 10 years of PuristS endeavour. Although the LUNAR ONE watch was the ultimate reason for the award.
However, the voices from the community can help set the agenda and short list, with discussions demonstrating Passion Opinion and Information about your favourite watchmakers and products. The Watchers are watching........................
Regards,
MTF
PS. It took 2 years of arguing to decide that we were NOT going to give the award a nickname _ "The Tommy" _ a name that Dr Mao hates fervently! Tee-hee.....
This message has been edited by MTF on 2010-04-15 01:27:43
"hates fervently"?!? My dear Doctor...
that gives me and the issue far too much gravitas...and not ThePuristS way...
But yes, much spirited and passion filled discussions indeed, on many issues...
TM
Congratulations to Mr. K-F Scheufele and of course, thanks to MTF and Kong...
for finally convincing me to do something long overdue.
I've always been reticent to single out by award specific individuals or companies in this field of passion of ours; I was worried it was somehow "anti 1-7-8"
But then, if not us, who?
By the way, wow! amazing details in the conception and execution of the prize, thanks alot!
It is in traditions and their embodiment like this that keeps the ideals and principles of ThePuristS alive.
TM
Very nice design for the award
although I think the inscription could be better done.
Congrats to Chopard as well.
Soon to become the industry's most coveted award!
This award is a bit unlike magazine awards (who seem to often award those who advertise in the magazine itself). This is an unsolicited award that is awarded based on the need for such an occasion.
Furthermore, the panel of judges who decide what manufacture will receive this coveted award is probably the most knowledgeable individuals who appreciate wristwatches on the planet. These individuals, I imagine comprise of PuristSPro members and moderators, who are super-knowledgeable about horological art, the manufacturing processes, and the horological industry.
I'm very pleased to realize that PuristSPro has finally made such an award!
Not sure if you are asking the same ...
It is not as mentioned.
Have a good trip.
Kong
yes, the question is the same as Ling's one.
thanks for the wishes.
most airports in Europe and Heathrow in UK have shutted down for the moment because of mass ash.
wish my fligh will be on schedule to take off tomorrow.
stefan
More than that !
The weight of the luxurious box was not included too
Kong
Congratulations to Chopard on such an accomplishment!
-MW
Congrats to Chopard!
And thanks MTF and Kong for the details on the significance of the prize design. Very well thought out and an excellent physical reflection of the 1-7-8 philosophy of PuristSPro.
Regards,
ED-209
Congratulations To Chopard!
An extremely well-deserved award. I still remember seeing my first Chopard L.U.C adveritsement in 2002. The L.U.C collection has come such a long ways over the past few years that it has truly become a complicated manufacture of timepieces that utilize traditional Swiss craftsmanship.
Congratulations to Chopard!
Wow! Congrats Chopard!
Welcome, Forsei. We are all newbies, at some point. Consider yourself fortunate...
that you are able to consider and learn about LUC early on in your hobby.
For many old-timers, they didn't have this privilege.
Hope to get to know you around these here parts...
Cheers,
TM
Many thanks...
Tks Thomas for the warm welcome,
As a newbie, I mostly read and try to learn (ie lurk) save for a few posts which I feel am compelled to write. Hope to learn more from the learned here, and am thoroughly enjoying this process...I did make a simple acquisition recently, more for needs sake...but I have a sneaky feeling there will be more to come...
Congratulations to Mr. Scheufele and Chopard...
...on this well-deserved honor. I have been so very impressed by several of the L.U.C. models presented in recent years by Chopard, and I feel certain that the best is yet to come.
Thanks, Kong, also for expounding on the concepts behind the design of the award presented to Mr. Scheufele.
Cheers,
Daos
My congratulations to Chopard as well …
… a company that has shown consistency and passion and strong leadership, even obvious to us ‘outsiders’.
The Purity Prize is a nice idea. I wish it involved more direct participation from the Purists rank and file, but it raises the profile of ThePurists / PPro and acknowledges the value of the passion and knowledge collected here.
Andrew
Don't rule out a few (FEW!) extensions of the prize...
Hi, Andrew,
You know we respect and appreciate the opinions of everyone, newbie and old timer alike.
That's why we constantly ask, and encourage the asking of, even long held and taken for granted "truths" and that's why we love Sacred Cow Roasts.
So don't rule out a prize that takes into account the individual and aggregate opinions of "the rank and file."
More to come..."watch this space"
People’s choice
Thanks Thomas,
The Purity Prize is definitely a good idea. If there can be other awards that involve a broad-based vote then I think that is also a good thing. When the wider Purist community can be included it helps ‘us’ to feel more involved and builds that important community spirit. And I believe it adds to the credibility of any honour bestowed.
‘People’s choice’ awards may not be more valid than awards chosen by a selected knowledgeable group of judges, but they are always more fun and interesting because everyone has a stake in the final outcome.
Andrew
A huge congrats to Chopard and the Scheufeles
for being award the 1st ever PuristSPro Purity Prize and an award truly deserved!
And also kudos to MTF for designing an award incorporating our underlining PuristS principles.
Cheers,
Anthony
Quite an honor for the Scheufeles and Chopard, and quite a cool award!
Best,
CaliforniaJed
Chronometry Prize
I hope we did not get too excited about the PuristSPro Purity Prize (PPP) to have missed the significance of the rest of the Chopard press release about the recent Swiss chronometry competition:
"The L.U.C Tourbillon Steel Wings model, equipped with L.U.C Calibre 4TT and endowed with a 9-day power reserve, achieved a remarkable 906 points out of 1000, just three less than the competition winner."
Just 3 points separated the top 3 watches; out of 100 points. From the world of clinical R&D, that does not reach significance i.e. no significant separation between the top 3.
So, LUC watches look good; work well; and are consistently accurate too.
MTF
