BASELWORLD 2018:

Two Faces, 14 Indications: Introducing the Chopard L.U.C All-in-One


Chopard, which captured the Aiguille d’Or at the 2017 Geneva Grand Prix with its innovative Full Strike minute repeater, continues to push the envelope of high-complication horology with its flagship L.U.C collection (named for the initials of founder Louis-Ulysse Chopard). How far, you ask? How about a timepiece with 14 indications on two dials, including astronomical and calendar functions and a tourbillon? Ladies and gentlemen, we give you the Chopard L.U.C All-in-One, one of the standout complicated pieces from Baselworld 2018.

Chopard LUC All in One blue - reclining
Chopard L.U.C All-in-One in platinum case with grey-blue dial (Ref. 161925-9003)

The L.U.C All-in-One, which first debuted as a commemorative limited edition in Chopard’s 150th anniversary year of 2010, is now offered in two new 10-piece limited editions, both in 46-mm cases: one in platinum with a gray-blue dial (above) with matching alligator strap; the other in 18k rose gold with a verdigris dial and brown alligator strap (below). Both dials are made of solid gold and feature applied hour markers, Daupine hands for the hours and minutes, and baton-type hands for the subdials (rhodium-finished on the platinum watch, gilded on the rose-gold model) and a hand-guilloché motif radiating from the double window of the big date display at 12 o’clock.

Chopard L.U.C All-in-One - brown - soldier
Chopard L.U.C All-in-One in rose gold case with verdigris dial (Ref. 161925-5002)

That big date, of course, is just the tip of the horological iceberg when we start discussing what this timepiece offers in the way of complications and displays. On the front of the watch, in addition to the traditional, central time indication, we find the following, moving clockwise: the aforementioned date indication at 12 o’clock, under the L.U. Chopard logo; month and leap year at 3 o’clock, part of the watch’s perpetual calendar functions; a tourbillon with small seconds hand at 6 o’clock; and the perpetual calendar’s day-of-the-week display, along with a 24-hour display, at 9 o’clock. The subdials all have a snailed motif, and the whole tableau is framed by a silvered minute track.

Chopard LUC All-in-One - platinum - Dial CU
The dial side features perpetual calendar functions, a big date, and a tourbillon.

On the reverse side, things get even more exotic, with an equation-of-time calculator; an indicator for the watch’s impressive seven-day power reserve; a day-night indication; and displays for the sunrise and sunset, all surrounding the visually arresting centerpiece, the orbital moon-phase, an astronomical complication that is a hallmark of the L.U.C collection. In all, Chopard says, the watch boasts 14 patents pending.

Chopard LUC All-in-One - RG - back
The back of the watch is dominated by the L.U.C collection’s orbital moon-phase display.

Both sides of the All-in-One are so aesthetically striking that one doesn’t even miss (too much) getting a full view of the movement, the L.U.C 05.01-L, which beats inside the ergonomically designed, satin-finished and polished case. Made up of an astounding 516 parts — including 42 jewels and four mainspring barrels to provide the 170-hour power reserve — and oscillating at a frequency of 28,800 vph (4 Hz), the movement has earned both the Poinçon de Genève and a COSC chronometer certification, which means essentially that it is as beautifully decorated as it is technically precise in its timekeeping.

Two Faces, 14 Indications: Introducing the Chopard L.U.C All-in-One Calibre 05.01-L - front
Chopard Caliber L.U.C 05.01-L, front (above) and back (below)

Chopard Caliber L.U.C 05.01-L - back

If you’re one of the fortunate 20 customers with both the means and the opportunity to possess one of these latest masterpieces from the prestigious L.U.C collection, you can expect to lay out $407,000 for the rose gold model and $423,000 for the platinum.

 

 

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