We sometimes nearly forget that Chopard, beyond the glitter and its very impressive presence in the ‘people’ pages of magazines, is above all a brand whose watchmaking prowess is—and always has been—quite remarkable.
Step by step, the brand has undertaken, with immense seriousness and rigour, its own timekeeping integration, to the point of being able to give lessons to a number of competitive brands. The creation of the L.U.C manufacture, for example, was a move that many doubted the seriousness of at the time. Today, even larger, it is one of the most sophisticated manufactures on the landscape of Swiss Haute Horlogerie.
Like a ‘magic formula’ that directs the destiny of Chopard, we find the exceptionally complementary relationship between the sister, Caroline, and the brother, Karl-Friedrich. With this double identity, Chopard is one of the very rare brands to succeed in establishing itself, not only at the summit of glamour and jewellery, but also within the small circle of truly authentic watchmaking companies. The latest products to come out of this family business are perfect examples.




L.U.C. XP and L.U.C. TECH REGULATEUR


A very ‘black’ Happy Sport
Let’s take, for example, the Happy Sport. The latest model in this collection—as a reminder, it dates back to 1993—is the Happy Sport Chronograph Mark II All Black. The watch superbly exemplifies the timeless modernity of this model, which is much less playful that we might think. Displaying a monochromatic appearance with its black-on-black tones, a minimalist design, and a carbon-treated steel case, Happy Sport Chronograph Mark II All Black assumes a very strong identity that combines chic with contemporary. This is evident in both the sportiest version—with five diamonds floating freely under its sapphire crystal around the rotating bezel—or in the most glamorous version with the bezel entirely set with diamonds (2.20 carats).

A coloured regulator
In the L.U.C. lines, the latest version of the L.U.C Tech Regulator has taken, in a way, an opposite approach to the Happy Sport. While the Happy Sport becomes more ‘serious’ and more ‘rigorous’ in its evolution, the L.U.C Tech Regulator is adopting a rather unanticipated bolder and more ‘playful’ appearance.
The first L.U.C Quattro regulator—embodying the greatest timekeeping classicism while exemplifying innovation with its four barrels—was awarded the title of ‘Watch of the Year’ in 2004. Here, with the new version, it is finding unexpected colour, new freshness, and new modernity. It also demonstrates that the regulator display can be combined with a good dose of sporty looks. The case is now in steel rather than in gold, and the cut-out dial shows some of the gears of the movement (still the four-barrel, COSC-certified, in-house calibre by Chopard, made in Fleurier, with a nine-day power reserve). The design of the regulator display gives a lively and contrasted appearance on the very animated dial, which also features a second 24-hour time zone, with day/night zones, whose indications can be corrected using a single pushbutton. It is a safe bet that all 250 watches in this series will quickly find takers.




HAPPY SPORT MARK II CHRONOGRAPH ALL BLACK and HAPPY SPORT CHRONOGRAPH ALL BLACK


The quintessence of chic
Another very lovely and refined expression of accomplished timekeeping at the L.U.C manufacture is the ultra elegant and very austere L.U.C XP. Available in pink or white gold with a slate dial, it is hard to imagine a watch that is less ‘frivolous’ than this model. Featuring a 39.5mm extra-flat case, double numerals, eight indices, and a 3.30mm automatic movement with two barrels, the L.U.C XP offers a 65-hour power reserve. The quintessence of timekeeping art and of chic.


Source: Europa Star April-May 2008 Magazine Issue