The Low Down

Since 1996, Chopard has been showcasing it’s watchmaking expertise through L.U.C. manufacture collection, and reflecting the vision of Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, committed to the quest for innovation and true artisanship of watchmaking.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of L.U.C. series, Chopard is presenting its first ever jumping-hour watch, aptly named the L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25. The 40mm case, made from ethically-sourced 18k rose gold, has a rounded-edge case inspired by hunter cases of the pocket watches once designed by maison’s founder, Louis-Ulysse Chopard. The case has polished bezel and the side has vertical satin brushed finishing. The lugs are angled; hence it makes for a good fit on the wrist with the short lugs.

The L.U.C 98.06-L movement is equipped with four barrels, based on the in-house Chopard Quattro technology, providing eight days of power reserve. Normally, the four barrels, stacked and series-coupled, store up to 216 hours of power reserve. However, the L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 holds a power reserve of over 190 hours despite the amount of energy required for the rotation of the hours disc. The movement is slim 4.85mm and is equipped with a Phillips terminal curve that precisely controls the oscillations of the balance spring.

The Grand Feu enamel dial is produced using a delicate process of baking the dial at a high temperature. Even the printed numerals, railroad track, and branding on the dial are also made in black enamel. The rose gold aperture at 6 o’clock displays the jumping-hours.

IMHO

L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 is befitting anniversary watch with stunning visuals of a contemporary dial inside a classical case. The Monsieur watch from Chanel comes to mind, but when you compare them, Monsieur has more futurist appeal with modern fonts, case, and even the bold aperture. Chopard, on the other hand, has a more contemporary classic appeal with warm rose gold case and aperture, and traditional Arabic number font.

Chopard, with this timepiece, is really putting on display its full breadth of manufacturing capabilities with L.U.C movement development, product design, ethically-sourced gold and gold smelting, case stamping and machining, engraving and traditional hand-crafted finishes, Grand Feu enamel, surface treatments, polishing, assembly, and adjustments.

Tech Specs

Case: 40mm x 10.30mm, 18k rose gold
Dial: White Grand Feu enamel, Dauphine fusée minutes hand
Movement: L.U.C 98.06-L manual winding, 8 days power reserve, four barrels, 4 Hz, swan neck fine adjustment
Function: Jumping Hours, minutes, power reserve indicator on display back
Strap: Matte brown alligator with 18k rose gold pin buckle
Availability and Price: Limited to 100 pieces;USD 44,700