Comments:
I wish I could read and understand Chinese! My nephew has studied Chinese for several years and has been many times to China, and he's only 20 years old. I am very jealous of him!
How long have you had the Tech QF?
Best,
CaliforniaJed
There is no doubt the level of finish is exquisite. It is tempting to compare Chopard's L,U.C movements to Patek and others, but in all honesty what attracts me to the L.U.C watches goes beyond the finish. Chopard has with L,U.C developed its own unique aesthetic values and harmonies that stand on their own. From the dial side, for instance, what Patek watch compares to the Tech QF? I'm not criticizing Patek, who have undeniable achieved aesthetic excellence -- I just find no need to compare. I would be drawn to the L.U.C watches with nothing to which to compare them, if that makes sense.
Ive seen the Geneva Seal Anniversary watch you mentioned -- it is quite handsome as well, though I am not fond of the presence of the seal on the dial -- I would have much preferred it without.
I hope will get a chance to meet one day, with the Tech QFs!
Best,
CaliforniaJed
and I see exactly what you mean. Well done.
Best,
CaliforniaJed
QF
Quite Fantastic, Quintessential Fun, Quest Fulfilled? Or simply, Qualite Fluerier. I'm excited to own a second L.U.C, this time the Tech Qualite Fleurier in white gold, housing the L.U.C Calibre 9.96, which is certified by the Fleurier Quality Foundation.(I've pasted below the certification criteria below for reference.)
The movement is truly exquisite, very similar to the 1.96, but without a swan's neck regulator. I've only taken a wrist shot thus far, but not to worry. A fellow purist has taken many fantastic photographs of the movement of this watch, so I borrowed one and have included a link to a comprehensive review he did a few years ago. When I have time, I hope to take and post some comparative movement shots.
Until then, I'd love to see some of your Chopard movement pics!
Best,
CaliFleurierJed
On the wrist this morning!:
A look at the movement, thanks to SJX:
Link to SJX's comprehensive review: chopard.watchprosite.com
1 - Manufactured 100% in Switzerland
This guarantees that all the operations: the concept, manufacture, assembly, and the control of the watch head and its components, have been carried out in Switzerland, with the exception of non-tooled materials.
2 - Validation of the technical and aesthetic criteria
In order to perform controls of the technical and aesthetic criteria, the applicant deposits the movement of the watch to be certified, presented in a kit, at the offices of the Foundation. The plate, the bridges, the complete barrel, the oscillating weight, the wheels, the profile-turned or profiled-turned and cut parts, as well as the shaped parts, are set aside and submitted to a visual examination at a distance of 30 cm, and then under the no. 3 microscope setting.
The main aesthetic criteria:
Decoration must be visible on the maximum thickness of the mainplate or on the visible part of the bridge, by a selective process of the zone to be decorated, as well in the main recesses. The parts must not have any rough sharp angles and the countersinks must be polished. No burrs must be visible and the functional zones of the steel parts must be polished. The screw-heads must be flat and polished, chamfered on the slot and around the rim. The shaped parts must be chamfered and polished, if possible with strokes drawn out with a file.
3 - The CHRONOFIABLE test
Movements submitted for Fleurier Quality Foundation certification must have passed the CHRONOFIABLE test which comprises several stages:
An ageing cycle, test cycles designed to measure the pull-and-push forces on the stem, the pushbuttons and on the rotating bezel if there is one; tests on reactions to magnetic fields, shock-resistance tests using a heavy pendulum or striker, except for complications, as well as several water-resistance tests.
NB: The following number of watch heads are required to be submitted to the CHRONOFIABLE tests: 5 units (if the model is produced in a series of 1 to 100); 10 units (from 101 to 200 units); 20 units (over 201 units).
4 - The COSC test
100% of movements submitted for Fleurier Quality Foundation certification must have successfully passed the test.
5 - The FLEURITEST
This machine, specially invented at the time of establishing the Fleurier Quality Foundation certification, is used to perform the last stage of control: the regularity of rating of the movement, once cased up within the watch in its final form. A positive result in this test ensures future owners of the high aesthetic and technical quality of their watch.
A 24-hour operating test is conducted on the machine. The originality of its procedure lies in the computer-driven simulation of conditions in which the watch will be worn. Depending on the programming, the Fleuritest machine is capable of reproducing the activities of a man or woman in all possible types of activity, making it possible to alternate between active, highly active and calm phases (e.g. sport, a typical working day, etc…).
Variations in rate are analysed using a digital camera image acquisition system. The precision of the movement rating must fall within the range of 0 to +5 seconds per day.
At the end of the test, if the watch has passed, a certificate is delivered for each watch head. The watch is then entitled to the certification "FQF La Haute Horlogerie certifiée"
This message has been edited by MTF on 2013-08-14 22:37:24
The movement is truly exquisite, very similar to the 1.96, but without a swan's neck regulator. I've only taken a wrist shot thus far, but not to worry. A fellow purist has taken many fantastic photographs of the movement of this watch, so I borrowed one and have included a link to a comprehensive review he did a few years ago. When I have time, I hope to take and post some comparative movement shots.
Until then, I'd love to see some of your Chopard movement pics!
Best,
CaliFleurierJed
On the wrist this morning!:
A look at the movement, thanks to SJX:
Link to SJX's comprehensive review: chopard.watchprosite.com
The QF validation criteria
The certification procedure conducted by the Technical Committee comprises five stages of testing, making it possible to determine whether the timepiece meets the established criteria.1 - Manufactured 100% in Switzerland
This guarantees that all the operations: the concept, manufacture, assembly, and the control of the watch head and its components, have been carried out in Switzerland, with the exception of non-tooled materials.
2 - Validation of the technical and aesthetic criteria
In order to perform controls of the technical and aesthetic criteria, the applicant deposits the movement of the watch to be certified, presented in a kit, at the offices of the Foundation. The plate, the bridges, the complete barrel, the oscillating weight, the wheels, the profile-turned or profiled-turned and cut parts, as well as the shaped parts, are set aside and submitted to a visual examination at a distance of 30 cm, and then under the no. 3 microscope setting.
The main aesthetic criteria:
Decoration must be visible on the maximum thickness of the mainplate or on the visible part of the bridge, by a selective process of the zone to be decorated, as well in the main recesses. The parts must not have any rough sharp angles and the countersinks must be polished. No burrs must be visible and the functional zones of the steel parts must be polished. The screw-heads must be flat and polished, chamfered on the slot and around the rim. The shaped parts must be chamfered and polished, if possible with strokes drawn out with a file.
3 - The CHRONOFIABLE test
Movements submitted for Fleurier Quality Foundation certification must have passed the CHRONOFIABLE test which comprises several stages:
An ageing cycle, test cycles designed to measure the pull-and-push forces on the stem, the pushbuttons and on the rotating bezel if there is one; tests on reactions to magnetic fields, shock-resistance tests using a heavy pendulum or striker, except for complications, as well as several water-resistance tests.
NB: The following number of watch heads are required to be submitted to the CHRONOFIABLE tests: 5 units (if the model is produced in a series of 1 to 100); 10 units (from 101 to 200 units); 20 units (over 201 units).
4 - The COSC test
100% of movements submitted for Fleurier Quality Foundation certification must have successfully passed the test.
5 - The FLEURITEST
This machine, specially invented at the time of establishing the Fleurier Quality Foundation certification, is used to perform the last stage of control: the regularity of rating of the movement, once cased up within the watch in its final form. A positive result in this test ensures future owners of the high aesthetic and technical quality of their watch.
A 24-hour operating test is conducted on the machine. The originality of its procedure lies in the computer-driven simulation of conditions in which the watch will be worn. Depending on the programming, the Fleuritest machine is capable of reproducing the activities of a man or woman in all possible types of activity, making it possible to alternate between active, highly active and calm phases (e.g. sport, a typical working day, etc…).
Variations in rate are analysed using a digital camera image acquisition system. The precision of the movement rating must fall within the range of 0 to +5 seconds per day.
At the end of the test, if the watch has passed, a certificate is delivered for each watch head. The watch is then entitled to the certification "FQF La Haute Horlogerie certifiée"
More from the Chopard moderator
CaliforniaJed,
In Kong's absence, I append two movement photos that he posted in an original PuristS report. Two colours of gold.
CLICK the following URL link to get there: chopard.watchprosite.com
LUC 9.96
LUC 9.96
Thanks MTF!
That first movement shot is with the solid caseback removed, I beleve. Very cool!
Best,
CaliforniaJed
That's a great word for it, Ramon!
Frankly, it's a great word for all the L.U.C movements!
Best,
CaliforniaJed
Would love to see photos if you have them.
Have you enjoyed it? My experience is limited to a couple of weeks! 
I have just ordered a custom strap that should end up a bit more sporty than the black gator it came with.
I have just ordered a custom strap that should end up a bit more sporty than the black gator it came with.Best,
CaliforniaJed
Please see this..
Please see this: http://www.iwatch365.net/thread-16802564-1-1.html
Sorry it's in Chinese but you could see the photos : )
This message has been edited by Kong on 2013-08-22 01:34:00
Nice!
I wish I could read and understand Chinese! My nephew has studied Chinese for several years and has been many times to China, and he's only 20 years old. I am very jealous of him!
How long have you had the Tech QF?
Best,
CaliforniaJed
I bought it in Singapore last Febuary.
I saw this watch in the local Chopard Boutique in Shanghai, my home city, at the end of 2011. It started to grow in my mind for some days.
And i read in the megazine about another Choard LUC, the Tobacco color Geneve Seal Anniversary watch, and i decided to pick one from those two.
I traveled to Sinapore two monthes later for vacation at the beginning of 2012. I went to the watch store and asked for the Tobacco watch but it was too new then to be available with the dealer. So i caught the QF.
After coming back to Shanghai, i compared the QF with my friend's PP 5110 Rose Gold, which is also equipped with a micro rotor style calibre.
Chopard QF's beautiful inside finish is just up to the level of Patek ( even better ) !!!
....HEHE. Not tired with it yet.
Glad to know you are enjoying it -- easy to understand why!
There is no doubt the level of finish is exquisite. It is tempting to compare Chopard's L,U.C movements to Patek and others, but in all honesty what attracts me to the L.U.C watches goes beyond the finish. Chopard has with L,U.C developed its own unique aesthetic values and harmonies that stand on their own. From the dial side, for instance, what Patek watch compares to the Tech QF? I'm not criticizing Patek, who have undeniable achieved aesthetic excellence -- I just find no need to compare. I would be drawn to the L.U.C watches with nothing to which to compare them, if that makes sense.
Ive seen the Geneva Seal Anniversary watch you mentioned -- it is quite handsome as well, though I am not fond of the presence of the seal on the dial -- I would have much preferred it without.
I hope will get a chance to meet one day, with the Tech QFs!
Best,
CaliforniaJed
I was in Carlifornia last October traveling from San Diego to San Francisco...
... HA HA .
I really appreciate the dail layout of this QF. It's more attractive than the plain tobacco color of the Gevene Seal Anniversary. ( Now it's availbe in Shanghai Boutique, along with the new LUC skeleton and LUC urushi )
You know why? The mytery of this QF design is :
it's a hand-winding small second watch, maybe the simplist form among all the modern timepieces, but it shares the thickness and 3D depth of a complication Wrist Watch.
I will again use Patek for comparison. Place Choparp QF and Patek 5205 side by side you will discover the similar multi-layer beauty and polished round body curve ...
QF digs out profoundity from simplicity. A great achievement.
That's a very interesting comparison
and I see exactly what you mean. Well done.
Best,
CaliforniaJed
Thanks for sharing, Jed...
Since you've two, I will post some pics of the latest version issued last year ...see if you will make it to the third piece
Kong
Kong
Qué Fregón!!!
Hi, Jed!
Kudos on your newest LUC! It looks at home on your wrist!
I wanted to keep the QF word association and I could not come up with a better title than in Spanish, which somehow translates to Bad @ss.... (Pardon my lingo, LOL!)
What´s next? A rose gold Skeletec to complete the Trifecta?? ))
))All the best,
Alex
That's very cool, Alex!
Good to hear from you. Not sure what will be the third, and it is not likely to present itself any time soon! But having two certainly does create a desire for a third.
Best,
CaliforniaJed