Chopard’s L.U.C collection, named for the initials of founder Louis-Ulysse Chopard, represents what the maison calls its “epitome of fine watchmaking.” Fewer models exemplify that spirit more spectacularly than the L.U.C Perpetual T, which combines two of high horology’s most complex mechanisms: a tourbillon and a perpetual calendar. The latest evolution of this timepiece, garbed for the first time in Chopard’s signature “ethical” white gold, will be presented at the upcoming WatchTime Live virtual collectors’ event on October 22-24.
The L.U.C Perpetual T packs all of its functions and displays into a 43-mm case made of ethically sourced 18k white gold, a material that Chopard has been introducing steadily into both its watches and jewelry. Its copper-colored dial is also made of solid gold and decorated with a hand-engraved guilloché pattern that radiates not from the dial’s center but from the large date display at 12 o’clock. That big date, of course, is just the tip of the horological iceberg. In addition to the traditional central time indication, on rhodium-plated Dauphine hands, the dial offers the following, starting clockwise at 12 o’clock: the aforementioned date display under the L.U. Chopard logo; the perpetual calendar’s month and leap year display at 3 o’clock; the tourbillon, with a polished steel bridge and small seconds hand, at 6 o’clock; and the calendar’s day-of-the-week display, along with a day-night display, at 9 o’clock. The subdials have been embellished with their own guilloché motif to accentuate them on the main dial.
Inside the case is a sophisticated engine, Chopard’s L.U.C Caliber 02.15-L, whose astounding nine-day power reserve, held in four barrels, derives from Chopard’s patented Quattro technology; the indicator for the power reserve is placed on the back of the movement so as not to overload the dial. Fortunately, the sapphire exhibition caseback allows for an easy view of this display, as well as of the high-horological flourishes that earned this timepiece the prestigious Poinçon de Genève. These include circular grained plates, polished screws, beveled and Geneva wave-adorned bridges, and jewels set into gold chatons. The manually wound movement also boasts a COSC chronometer certification for its timekeeping precision.
The Chopard L.U.C Perpetual T is attached via slender lugs on a hand-sewn brown calfskin leather strap and fastens to the wrist with a white-gold folding clasp. A limited edition of only 10 pieces, it will surely be one of the headliners at WatchTime’s first all-digital event.
To learn more about WatchTime Live, its sponsoring watch brands, and details on its schedule of presentations and panels, and to sign up for tickets to the event, click here.
