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Chronographs at the Crossroads
Chopard has reached, perhaps, a bit of a chronograph crossroads. Throughout the Classic Racing line, and to a lesser extent the L.U.C line, many chronographs are offered. Consider the three Chopard chronographs below, each a recent release. I had a chance to take a look at them at the Costa Mesa boutique a few weeks ago.
1. The first is the Superfast Chrono, ref. 168535-300, a 45mm stainless steel case housing a 4hz, COSC certified Chopard cal. 03.05-M self-winding flyback chronograph movement with a 60hr power reserve.
This 2013 release (together with the Superfast Power Control) was referred to by Chopard as "a new milestone in Chopard’s history” as these were the first watches in the Classic Racing collection to be equipped with in-house movements from the Fleurier Ebauches workshops. The Fleurier Ebauches workshops were founded by Chopard in July 2008 in Fleurier, in the Val-de-Travers region, in order to produce in-house movements to further strengthen vertical integration in order to increase production capacity and secure long-term independence. 
2. Next up is the Mille Miglia 2014 Race Edition in Stainless steel, ref. 168511-3036. This one is a limited edition, again in stainless steel, though a bit smaller at 42mm, again housing a 4hz, self-winding COSC certified Chronometer movement with a 42 hour power reserve. Note, though, that this movement is based on an ETA 2894-2.
3. Lastly, one we have written and read quite a lot about in recent weeks: the L.U.C 1963 Chronograph in 18K Rose Gold, ref. 161964-5001, another limited edition released in 2014. Here we have a 42mm case housing an all new, COSC certified, manual wind flyback chronograph movement that bears the Geneva Seal, cal. L.U.C 03.07-L. It is truly exciting to see Chopard take this significant step forward (and of course, doubly exciting to see them release a PuristS edition designed specifically for us). To describe this movement as stunning does it a disservice. It is truly impressive. Equally exciting, though, is imaging where Chopard might take this movement next — a double split, a perpetual chronograph… well, I am dreaming of the possibilities.
The crossroads: will the Fleurier Ebauches workshops soon handle all of Chopard’s needs in the Classic Racing line? Given the tightening of ETA supply, and given Chopard’s public statements about its Fleurier Ebauches, one must suspect this. This would, for me, make the Classic Racing line even more attractive than it already is. I don’t own one yet, but one day soon, I’m sure…
Or will the Fleurier Ebauche facility one day become more of an extension of the Fleurier manufacture in which Chopard produces the L.U.C movements? I for one would like to see Chopard offer a bit of clarification as to what is an L.U.C watch is what is not. My most recent purchase, the L.U.C 1937, is made in the Fleurier Ebauche facility but is nonetheless referred to as an L.U.C.
How do you like where Chopard has been with its chronographs, and where it looks to be going?
Best,
CaliforniaJed
another one
"> Hi CaliforniaJed,
I can't really answer your question, but If You may I'd like to add another one that I find oh so interesting.. the chrono one.
Above are two excellent pictures by Kong of the SS version. Love those hands!
Thanks,
Ramon
The perfect addition to this thread, Ramon. Thanks.
The link between the cal. 03.03-L and the movement in the Superfast Chrono (and, for that matter, the L.U.C 1963 Chronograph) is undeniable. The Chrono One and its movement were, in essence, Chopard's gift to itself, and all of us, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Chopard Manufacture in 2006. The 03.03-L is is a fully integrated column-wheel chronograph with a vertical clutch equipped with what Chopard has called "a friction organ in a viscoelastic material." (Someone more knowledgeable than me will have to help with that one.)
I have always been enamored of this limited edition Chrono One. (Photo credit to our own Fx.)
Best,
CaliforniaJed