Chopard
Pre-Basel 2018: The Chopard L.U.C Quattro Simplified
Chopard
Pre-Basel 2018: The Chopard L.U.C Quattro Simplified
Compared to previous versions, which were more classically inclined in their design, this new model has a decidedly more modern character. The main feature responsible for this is the vertically brushed silver dial that forms the foundation for the bold and simplified dial elements in blue. In combination with an 18K rose gold case, the watch imparts a feeling of warmth and modernity.
In fact, the styling of this new L.U.C. Quattro takes many of its design cues from last year’s L.U.C. XP, a watch that was certainly conceived to appeal to a younger audience. While that watch was a paragon of simplicity, both in design and complication (it did not have a seconds hand or date), it had a similar vertically brushed silver dial, large Arabic numerals (3, 6, 9, 12) in blue and a blue woven cashmere strap, design features that would in sum make up a refined, yet casual feeling watch.
The reception to the design features of the L.U.C. XP was very successful and so the same design ideas have been extended to the new L.U.C Quattro.
With the Calibre LUC 98.01-L of the L.U.C Quattro then, what was done with this movement was to take a good idea from the first L.U.C. Calibre and bring it to its logical conclusion. As a manual winding movement, there was no requirement to include a micro-rotor or indeed any rotor at all, meaning that enough space would be available for one more set of stacked barrels. The headline feature of the L.U.C. Quattro therefore would come to consist of two double-stacked barrels, or 4 barrels in total, allowing an unusually long 9-day power reserve. Incidentally, as “Quattro” means “four” in Italian, it’s easy to see how the calibre was named.