Complications

Chopard L.U.C. Strike One - A Horo Grand Slam

The launch of Chopard's L.U.C. movement in 1996 not only once again established the old-line Swiss brand as a serious player in the world of haute horlogerie, it also created the platform from which Chopard would create some exceptional new timepieces.

The L.U.C. Strike One is an hour repeater with a dial that showcases the talents of the design team at Chopard.  There's a deep sunburst pattern that radiates from beneath the skeletonized roman numeral 12 at the top of the watch.  Beneath the big XII is a small window that displays a musical note to indicate the status of the repeater.  Just to the right is a window into the works that allows the viewing of the gong in action.  Like many watches in the L.U.C. lineup, the dial elements of the Strike One are creatively asymmetrical from top to bottom.  There's a reserve indicator at 6 o'clock to track the 65 hour power reserve of the Strike One's L.U.C. Caliber 96 SH movement - a COSC'd stunner that beats at 28,800 vph, features two stacked barrels and is decorated with Cotes de Geneve. 

On the wrist, the 40.5mm Chopard L.U.C. Strike One is very comfortable and, at a slim 10.6mm thick, it's compatible with even the snuggest of dress shirt cuffs. 

The Chopard L.U.C. Strike One is a limited edition.  100 pieces are available in rose gold and 100 pieces in white gold.  MSRP is $37,050.   

Chopard L.U.C. Regulator - a fresh take on a classic design

I got a quick first look at the Chopard L.U.C. Regulator today.  What a great looking watch!  Regulators, for me, make a lot of sense since I'm always pretty aware of the hour (so a huge display isn't necessary), but the minutes are generally the important part as I'm flying down rte. 128 trying to make a meeting.  When it comes to tracking the minutes, the arabic numerals on the outer rail of the L.U.C. Regulator's skeletonized dial are very easy to read and give this watch a very modern feel.  Hours are displayed on a sub dial that's adjacent to the crown in the 3 o'clock position.  There's a seconds subdial at 6 o'clock that's smaller than the hours making it easy to remember what's where.  At 9 o'clock is a clever second time zone display that's complete with day and night segments and controlled by a pusher on the lower left side of the case.  Inside the Regulator is a L.U.C. four barrel movement that's COSC'd and provides an 8-day power reserve (displayed in a splash at 12 o'clock on the dial).

The L.U.C. Regulator is 40mm in diameter and quite svelte at a mere 9.75mm thick.  As you would expect, it's very comfortable on the wrist and strikes a nice balance between a dress and sport watch.  Quality is superb all the way around.  Production is limited to 250 pieces and the MSRP is $30,590 US.