From the workshops of Chopard Manufacture comes the new L.U.C Grand Strike, an opus of mechanical mastery developed entirely within the walls of the Swiss watchmaker. This exceptional chiming timepiece, featuring a grande sonnerie, petite sonnerie and minute repeater with proprietary sapphire crystal gongs, represents the culmination of the Maison’s mechanical expertise and a decades-long sonnerie journey initiated by Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard.

The result of over 11,000 hours of focused research and development, the L.U.C Grand Strike draws on ten proprietary technical patents – five of which were newly developed for this timepiece – making it the most complex watch ever created by Chopard Manufacture. Its performance is assured by rigorous in-house tests as well as certifying bodies such as the Poinçon de Genève, and the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC). With these certifications, the L.U.C Grand Strike is officially the most comprehensively rated grande sonnerie among contemporary high complications.

The design of this timepiece is a blend of traditional forms with modern aesthetics, combining understated curves with a dial-less display that puts the 686-component calibre L.U.C 08.03-L in the spotlight.

“It has always been our intention to conceive a grande sonnerie at Chopard. If you look at the L.U.C Grand Strike, what you see is the cumulative impact of 30 years spent creating and innovating in the domain of fine watchmaking. When you listen to its chime, you are hearing the rhythm of Haute Horlogerie at Chopard Manufacture. If the chime moves you, it’s because you resonate with our way of making watches” explains Karl-Friedrich Scheufele.

The culmination of three decades of innovation
The L.U.C Grand Strike is rooted in nearly 20 years of sonnerie expertise at Chopard Manufacture – and 10 years of sapphire monobloc technology – comprising 686 movement components in the most complex watch created in the history of the Manufacture. Over 11,000 hours were invested in this project, from the very first exploratory studies to the creation of technical plans and the production of a working prototype. Over 2,500 of those hours were dedicated to fine-tuning the prototype, ensuring the final production pieces are poised at the limits of micro-mechanical perfection.

Housed in a remarkably compact 18-carat ethical white gold case measuring 43mm in diameter, the restrained curves and profile of the case design draw the eye directly towards the high precision L.U.C 08.03-L calibre, which is fully visible thanks to the open dial. At the 10 o’clock position, two polished steel hammers clearly indicate the chiming nature of this watch, which can be adjusted to three sonnerie modes – Grande Sonnerie (G), Petite Sonnerie (P), Silence (S) – via an ergonomically designed sliding selector switch located next to the winding and setting crown.

The lower half of the watch dial is occupied by a 60-second tourbillon, a visual reminder of the COSC-certified performance of the movement. Between the continuous rotation of the tourbillon and the motion of the chiming mechanism, the L.U.C Grand Strike offers its wearer an immersive experience of mechanical wonder with every glance.

A hallmark of watchmaking excellence and innovation at Chopard, the patented sapphire crystal gongs are machined in one single unit with the dial. This unique gong construction, using the horologically unprecedented material of sapphire crystal, is what gives the L.U.C Grand Strike its matchless acoustic character.

Apart from the sapphire crystal gongs, an additional nine patents filed and/or granted have been employed in the creation of the L.U.C Grand Strike, demonstrating once again the spirit of innovation that defines Chopard Manufacture. These patents cover all aspects of function in this watch, from important security mechanisms that protect the movement against accidental mishandling, to improvements in chiming cadence. Five of these patents are new filings that were specifically developed for the L.U.C Grand Strike, representing the continual evolution of innovation-driven expertise at the heart of the Maison.

Throughout its years of development, the L.U.C Grand Strike was conceived with the harmonious and simultaneous integration of both its technical and aesthetic aspects. The final watch is a triumph of this approach, blending horological mastery seamlessly with design elegance.

Composing a legacy of sound
At the opening of the new millennium, Chopard Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele led the Manufacture on its first steps into the domain of chiming watches, making the L.U.C Grand Strike an inevitable part of Chopard’s destiny. Barely a year after the 2006 launch of the L.U.C Strike One, he began to discuss the possibility of Chopard’s very own grande sonnerie movement with the Research and Development team.

Acquiring the in-house skills to create such a horological colossus was an ambitious objective all on its own, but it was just as important that Chopard should achieve more than expertise — it should achieve mastery. Which is to say, to go beyond impeccable execution and move towards true innovation.

The genesis of the L.U.C Grand Strike can be traced via the traditional high-complication pieces such as the L.U.C All-In-One (2010), as well as the avant-garde approach of the multi-patent L.U.C 8HF (2012). These pieces showcase the versatility of Chopard Manufacture across the wide spectrum of watchmaking approach, from true classicism to the uncompromisingly contemporary.

Each of the intricate mechanical systems that together form the calibre L.U.C 08.03-L has been implemented with a profound understanding and familiarity with every aspect of mechanical watchmaking. The multi-barrel construction that underpins all sonnerie watches was enhanced by the knowledge gained through creating virtuoso timepieces with advanced power distribution systems such as the four-barrel L.U.C Quattro. The L.U.C Grand Strike’s 60-second tourbillon owes its strict performance standards to the in-house experience acquired through the L.U.C 02 family of tourbillon movements. Even something as expected in watchmaking norms as the instantaneous sonnerie activation has been refined with the insights derived from building complex calendars such as the L.U.C Lunar One, with its jumping displays.

In 2016, the L.U.C Full Strike minute repeater further demonstrated the Manufacture’s commitment to the pursuit of the perfect chime. Not only did it highlight the evolution of sonnerie expertise at Chopard, it also introduced new horological knowledge to the world. For the first time in watchmaking, a chiming watch struck the hours, quarters and minutes on gongs of sapphire crystal instead of steel.

The acoustic properties of sapphire crystal, technically known as monocrystalline aluminium oxide, had long been known. Its delicate nature, however, led to the consensus in the watchmaking community that sapphire crystal gongs were too impractical to even attempt. That is, of course, until Chopard Manufacture took up the quest and succeeded where no one else had before.

Ultimately, the L.U.C Full Strike proved the impossible possible and was awarded the highest honour at the 2017 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) — the prestigious Aiguille d’Or.

The calibre L.U.C 08.03-L: a crescendo of complications and patents
Today, Chopard reveals another chapter in its sonnerie journey: the L.U.C Grand Strike. It features the most exalted of chiming complications, a grande sonnerie, which strikes the full complement of hours and quarters as they pass. The watch can also be switched to the less chime-intensive petite sonnerie mode, which strikes the hours only at the 60-minute mark, and solely the quarters every 15 minutes thereafter. If wished, the automatic chime of the L.U.C Grand Strike can be entirely silenced, and the watch will strike the time only when its minute repeater function is manually activated.

Upon each manual (minute repeater) or automatic (grande or petite sonnerie) activation of the chime, 34 components leap to attention, poised to deliver a clear and precise report of the time. Guided or retained by an array of 22 hand-adjusted blade springs, these 34 components require only 0.03 seconds to go from standby to being ready for action: a perfectly coordinated corps de ballet supporting their principals in the spotlight, the hammers and gongs. In the mechanical dance that follows, levers descend, cams extend and racks advance — all leading up to the final moment when hammer meets gong and sonic beauty erupts.

A total of 686 movement components is required to animate the panoply of chronometric functions in this timepiece, which also includes a 60-second tourbillon. The latter is topped by a small-seconds indicator, as a continuous but subtle sign of the timekeeping precision built into this watch. The L.U.C Grand Strike is doubly certified, bearing the quality hallmarks of the Poinçon de Genève and the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC).

Ensuring that the watch can still perform even at the limits of the movement’s energy demands, the L.U.C Grand Strike was awarded COSC certification when tested in petite sonnerie mode. While the petite sonnerie may appear to be more energy efficient than the grande sonnerie, in reality it has a higher energy threshold than the latter complication. This is due to the mechanism that suppresses the hour strikes at the quarter hours, which acts as a brake on the chiming system and effectively shortens the power reserve.

Despite the sheer number of components in the L.U.C Grand Strike and its full range of chiming complications — not to mention the tourbillon and underlying timekeeping functions — the watch diameter is only 43 mm, and its height is a modest 14.08 mm. A minor miracle in contemporary watchmaking, and an essential feature in modern life, which demands efficiency of dimension and energy.

To meet the latter requirement, the in-house manual-winding calibre L.U.C 08.03-L possesses two mainspring barrels, one for the timekeeping functions and another separate barrel for the chiming complications. When fully wound, the sonnerie barrel provides 12 hours of uninterrupted function when in the chime-intensive grande sonnerie mode.

The main power reserve of 70 hours is also noteworthy for such a highly complex watch, especially considering its balance frequency. The L.U.C 08.03-L beats at 4Hz (28,800vph), which is standard for a sports watch, but considered high for a complicated watch of this level. By not making any concessions and keeping the L.U.C Grand Strike within the strict performance expectations of any other modern wristwatch, chronometric quality is guaranteed.

This precision is supported by the system of time indication itself, which features a stop-seconds function. When the crown is pulled out and in its time-setting position, the small seconds hand is braked, allowing the time to be accurately set to the second. In this way, the chronometric capabilities of the movement can be fully expressed via the dial indications.
On top of its superb chronometry and display performance, the L.U.C Grand Strike has also been built to withstand the test of time. From as early on as the prototype stage, the in-house quality control of the L.U.C Grand Strike at Chopard Manufacture involves 62,400 activations of the sonnerie (half in each sonnerie mode) in an accelerated process that simulates five years of wear in just three months. In this time, the minute repeater is also continuously activated via the crown-pusher — 3,000 times to ensure the movement can stand up to prolonged use. All in all, the sapphire crystal gongs are struck over half a million times during this rigorous testing, demonstrating the resilience of the in-house calibre L.U.C 08.03-L.

A crystal-clear sound
While the foundation of the L.U.C Grand Strike lies in the decades of watchmaking patrimony integrated within Chopard Manufacture, its core is defined by innovation. To bring greater precision and expertise to the process of creating sonnerie watches, Chopard worked closely with an engineering university in Geneva, the Haute Ecole du Paysage, d’Ingénierie et d’Architecture (HEPIA) to analyse the technical characteristics of its signature chime. These observations can be attributed to three key differences that separate the sapphire crystal chiming system from its technical predecessors utilising steel gongs.

Firstly, there is its monobloc construction. Conventional chiming watches use polished steel gongs with a round cross-section, fixed to the movement with screws. The traditional sonnerie chime is produced when hammers strike the gongs, causing them to transmit acoustic energy in the form of vibrational waves throughout the watch, travelling through the dial crystal and propagating sound through the air. This indirect method of sound transmission results in energy loss at several points, via the gong attachments, the movement and even the case itself, elements which dampen the overall chime. Chopard’s proprietary chiming system combines the gongs and dial crystal, which are machined out of a single piece of sapphire crystal. When the sapphire crystal gongs are struck, they vibrate in concert with the dial crystal, channelling the sound directly towards the exterior of the watch and avoiding energy dissipation through the movement or case. Naturally, the chime gains in clarity and tonal purity.

Secondly, there is the geometry of the sapphire crystal gongs. Instead of the round cross-section seen in traditional steel gongs, the sapphire crystal gongs have an orthogonal (square) cross-section. Solidly based on the principles of kinetic energy transmission, this allows for an increased area of contact between the sonnerie hammers and the gongs. In addition to this

greater potential for efficient energy transfer, gongs with a square cross-section also come with acoustic properties that set them apart from gongs with a round cross-section. The right angles along the length of the gong serve to channel and direct sound waves into distinct modes of vibration, comparable to how polarised lenses can channel and direct wavelengths of light. This complex vibrational pattern effectively creates a rich, layered chime that is simultaneously harmonious and textured to the ear.

Thirdly, the atomic structure of sapphire crystal itself gives all Chopard sonneries currently in production their unmistakeable quality. Ethereal yet powerful, brilliant and resonant, the chime generated by the monocrystalline structure of these gongs is unmatched by any steel equivalent. The exceptional hardness of sapphire crystal (second only to diamond) also ensures that, unlike metal, it cannot be physically deformed. Hence its characteristic sound, named the Sound of Eternity.

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Poetic, precious floral inspiration
L’Heure du Diamant jewellery launches a new design. Thanks to the lightness and ingenuity of the collection’s characteristic crown setting, these creations sculpt the light to reveal all the brilliance and magnetism of the diamonds at their vibrant heart. Six diamonds, cut into the majestic pear shape, unfurl the petals of a sovereign flower, touching in its sheer simplicity and perfection. These large, generous-sized gems bring a bold, radically modern twist to this classic jewellery archetype. Based on a design drawn from the infinite richness of the plant kingdom, L’Heure du Diamant distils the quintessence of one of classical jewellery’s noblest motifs: the cluster. Playing with its proportions, the collection is the radiant expression of a springtime that is always just around the corner and a constantly renewed breath of fresh life.

Spanning a series consisting of a necklace, a ‘Toi & Moi’ ring, a bangle bracelet and several earring options in ethical 18-carat white gold, this floral motif allows for infinite compositions. Whether worn as a set or as a solo piece – even the earrings can be sold on their own or in pairs – each of the elements in this collection can be intertwined.

Illusion, orchestrating heart-felt light effects
Driven by boundless creative generosity, the Maison’s jewellery workshops offer a second interpretation of the cluster motif. In doing so, they express the full force of their gem setting talent through a series of rings, pendants and earrings featuring the heart theme – a source of love and life chosen by Chopard as one of its signature symbols. At first glance, this jewellery appears to sparkle with the supreme radiance of a single large diamond – an illusion skilfully orchestrated by a composition of several brilliants, with several stones revolving around a generous-sized central stone. The ensemble is held together by means of an innovative gem setting technique in which the diamonds are not set in traditional metal prongs, instead nestling in the soft lobes of a white gold heart whose gleaming mirror-polished surface catches and multiplies light effects. The intense fire of the diamonds mingles with that of the gold: these tiny hearts throbbing with energy and vitality are like an array of facets creating the splendid illusion of forming a single diamond.

Twinkling stars
A trail of stardust, twinkling in the deep blue of the celestial vault. The L’Heure du Diamant collection welcomes this ultimate jewellery design that is simple in appearance only, as beneath a pared-down composition of pear-shaped diamonds lies the full range of virtuoso skills exercised within the workshop. Available in two sizes, the earrings form a gentle arc resembling the flight of a shooting star and extending the round curve of the ear. It adds a graphic touch thanks to the tips of different-sized pear-shaped diamonds arranged in ascending order. These creations are complemented by a ring whose incandescent rays illuminate an enchanting universe. Here again, the setting vanishes into the light touches provided by prongs in ethical 18-carat white gold. Unencumbered by the constraints of metallic opacity and radiating all the mineral purity of diamonds, L’Heure du Diamant jewels embody fragments of eternity in their timeless grace.

Birth of a distinctive collection
The radiance of great classics sculpted with unprecedented lightness and viewed through the prism of contemporary elegance: L’Heure du Diamant takes its place amongst those collections perfectly distilling the spirit of Chopard. Inspired by the modernism of the 1960s, this watch and jewellery collection stems from the entrepreneurial genius of Karl and Karin Scheufele, combined with unique jewellery expertise handed down across successive generations.

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A jewel that tells the time: the dual nature of Chopard’s expertise
Combining watchmaking expertise with Haute Joaillerie excellence, dainty diamond-set watches lie at the heart of the history and identity of the Scheufele family, who have served as guardians of Chopard’s development for generations. The L’Heure du Diamant collection epitomises this duality, masterfully mingling contemporary vision and vintage allure; hard materials and soft shapes; exquisite aesthetics and precision.

At the crossroads of these skills, L’Heure du Diamant is a collection inspired by a 1970 Chopard jewellery timepiece. Crafted in yellow gold with a champagne-toned dial, Milanese mesh bracelet, diamond-set bezel and refined mechanical movement, this vintage masterpiece continues to exercise a profound influence on the current interpretations of L’Heure du Diamant.

These watchmaking jewels, paired with ornamental hard stone dials, resulting from over a century of technical and aesthetic supremacy, as Caroline and Karl-Friedrich Scheufele’s grandfather was already dubbed the ‘Master of Jewellery Watches’ in the early 20th century. This historical heritage was acknowledged in 2013, when the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève awarded its “Jewellery Watch Prize” to a L’Heure du Diamant timepiece in rose gold entirely paved with diamonds.

Imbued with harmony and symmetry, L’Heure du Diamant models have been interpreted over the years in a variety of round, oval, cushion, octagonal or heart-shaped cases, making the collection a veritable beacon of creativity. In 2025, Chopard has chosen the treasures of its L’Heure du Diamant collection to adorn its Ambassador Bella Hadid in a new campaign, widely acclaimed across watch, jewellery and fashion circles.

Dials in ornamental stones: a myriad of colours
The extraordinary Precious Hours set houses 12 renditions of the 26-mm L’Heure du Diamant, representing the months of the year or the day’s 12-hour cycles, all presented in an elegant black lacquered case. This exquisite presentation box features a rotating tray that invites discovery, revealing a fresh expression of light and colour.

Each dial of these watches carries a unique story, brimming with symbolism and energy. New to the collection, pink opal, jade and blue agate deepen this narrative of natural beauty. Chopard’s mastery of these exquisite materials transforms timepieces into talismans, each bearing its own special meaning.
– Mother-of-pearl, embodying the shimmer of the seas, is believed to enhance creativity and protect against negativity.
– Diamonds, with their flashes of light from the depths of the Earth, are an enduring symbol of prosperity and purity.
– The fiery hues of carnelian, known as the “rays of the setting sun” in Ancient Egypt, are thought to ignite courage.
– Tiger’s eye offers confidence and clarity. It was referred to in Antiquity as the “all-seeing eye” guiding soldiers to success.
– Onyx, a splendid member of the chalcedony family, derives its name from the Greek word onux, meaning fingernail. This nod to mythology comes from the story of Cupid clipping Venus’ fingernails, which were transformed into onyx to ensure her beauty would last forever. It is thus said to bring stability and strength in times of change.
– Malachite, with its lush green patterns obtained from the presence of copper within, is regarded as the stone of transformation.
– Turquoise, long associated with unity, is a sacred stone in Native American cultures.
– Opal, the stone of dreams and intuition, owes its name to the Latin opalus, meaning ‘to see a change in colour’.
– Jade, from the Spanish expression piedra de ijada – literally “stone of the pain in the side” – is renowned for its healing properties. Early Spanish explorers named it thus after seeing natives holding pieces of the stone to their sides to cure or relieve various aches.
– Blue agate, born from magma or volcanic rock, is considered to bring renewal, soothing the spirit with its tranquil tones.

Chopard honours the raw beauty of these materials, preserving their natural variations so that each watch remains a unique masterpiece. Like time itself, no two dials are ever the same, each offering a singular expression of Nature’s artistry, captured within a timeless creation.

Noble aesthetics: a majestic dial encircled by a diamond crown
Another distinctive characteristic of L’Heure du Diamant timepieces is a bezel entirely set with generously sized diamonds, whose radiance is majestically enhanced using a unique Chopard signature gem setting technique: crown setting, which highlights the beauty of each stone by allowing the light to flood through with exceptional brilliance. Designed with V-shaped prongs, this process originally devised by Karl Scheufele supports the arrangement of the diamonds like invisible lacework. Thus, released from the constraints of opaque metal, the mineral purity of diamonds can shine through fully, as the timeless grace of L’Heure du Diamant jewellery embodies fragments of eternity.

The bark-type bracelet: a goldsmith’s masterpiece
Two of the L’Heure du Diamant timepieces in the set are paired with a bark-type bracelet in ethical gold, featuring an ergonomic, silky texture achieved by unique expertise. In reference to the plant-life theme, extremely fine veining gives the bracelet a lifelike appearance, as it endows the gold with an incomparably supple, light touch. This bracelet gently nestled against the skin does not cling to fabrics, instead following the wearer’s every move thanks to the entirely hand-crafted goldsmithing technique perfected by the Scheufele family in the 1960s. Other models in the collection come with either a leather or satin strap in a variety of joyful colours matching the dials.

A high-precision mechanism: the Chopard 10.01-C movement
Beating at the heart of these watches, the Chopard 10.01-C mechanical manual-winding movement driving the hours and minutes has a 45-hour power reserve. Measuring just 15.70 millimetres in diameter and 2.90 millimetres thick, this in-house calibre introduced in 2024 is one of the smallest and thinnest in the world, making it suitable for dainty jewellery watches. It was entirely developed and produced within the Maison’s workshops in Switzerland, revealing the technical genius and constant quest for innovation cultivated by Chopard.

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A new moon-phase movement
For the first time in its history, L’Heure du Diamant collection has a complication at the heart of one of its timepieces. Measuring just 20.40 mm by 4.60 mm, the 169 components composing the new self-winding Chopard Calibre 09.02-C enable it to fit neatly into a small ladies’ watch case. An aventurine disc serves to display the moon’s trajectory with remarkable precision. Calibrated by the Manufacture’s finest watchmaking artisans, this display is endowed with astronomical precision: with a time difference of just 57.2 seconds between two lunar cycles, it will take 122 years for it to show a one-day discrepancy with the path of the actual moon. Only then will it need to be adjusted.

Aventurine glass: celestial and precious
The Maison’s artisans have enhanced this extremely romantic complication with decor inspired by the beauty of the cosmos. With its blue aventurine glass dial studded with points of light, this watch is a beautiful reminder of the vastness and wonder of the galaxy. More than just its starry appearance with its sparkling inclusions, aventurine glass is the story of an accidental invention. It is said that a 17th century artisan working in one of Murano’s glassmaking workshops inadvertently dropped copper filings into his molten glass. The result was a coveted new material named aventurine after the Italian word peravventura, meaning ‘by chance’. This material belongs to a longstanding tradition of colourful dials in the L’Heure du Diamant collection, known for its variations in coloured ornamental hard stones such as malachite, opal, tiger’s eye and onyx.

Light effects and crown setting
Reflecting the Scheufele family’s expertise in the realm of jewellery watches, the brilliance of the diamonds surrounding the dial in a halo of light is further enhanced by a gem setting technique that is unique to Chopard. Crown setting enhances the brilliance of the stones by maximising light penetration, creating a dazzling display of flamboyant light effects. Developed by Karl Scheufele, the V-shaped prongs of this setting support the diamonds like an invisible lacework base. Unencumbered by the constraints of metallic opacity and exuding all the mineral purity of diamonds, the timeless grace of L’Heure du Diamant jewellery represents fragments of eternity.

A legacy of creative expertise
The radiance of great classics sculpted with unprecedented lightness and viewed through the prism of contemporary elegance: L’Heure du Diamant takes its place amongst those collections perfectly distilling the spirit of Chopard. Inspired by the modernism of the 1960s, this watch and jewellery collection stems from the entrepreneurial genius of Karl and Karin Scheufele, combined with unique jewellery expertise handed down over generations.

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A straw marquetry dial: a miniature masterpiece
Each edition of a Time For Art timepiece gives Chopard the opportunity to call on one of the many Artistic Crafts cultivated in its workshops. In keeping with this tradition, the dial of this new model is graced with straw marquetry. Created by a decoration Artisan from the Manufacture specially trained in this 17th-century technique, this masterpiece is a first for Chopard, which has never before presented a dial of this kind on its watches. The choice of straw and its link with the agricultural environment recall the deep inspiration that the Alpine Eagle collection draws from Nature and the alpine environment that Chopard is committed to preserving.

It all starts with the selection of the material: rye straw grown in Burgundy, France. Each strand is split individually with the fingernail, before being flattened with a dedicated tool called a plioir (bone folder). Using a scalpel, the straw is then cut and subsequently glued to the dial in an intricate pattern owing everything to the Artisan’s dexterity. The composition combines strands of different sizes, thicknesses and shades, while its graphic lines evoke an eagle’s eye view in full flight over the skyscrapers of New York – the city where the TimeForArt auction is to be held. Once assembled, the dial is coated with wood wax in order to reveal its full shine and brilliance. During all these stages, the light, thin nature of straw demands extremely meticulous care and patience, justifying 60 hours of work – at the end of which the hour-markers and inner bezel ring are applied by hand, followed by the gold hours and minutes hands.

Alpine Eagle: sophisticated aesthetics
The Alpine Eagle collection reflects Chopard’s creative richness and visionary spirit in equal measure, along with inspiration drawn from the power of Nature. The one-of-a-kind Alpine Eagle 41 XP Time For Art remains true to this approach: a round case with stylised sides, a crown engraved with a compass rose, a bezel with eight functional indexed screws, luminescent indications and a comfortable metal bracelet – and above all, a state-of-the-art material: Lucent Steel™. This innovative steel alloy made with an 80% recycling rate was developed by Chopard for its anti-allergenic virtues, robustness and incomparable brilliance obtained through a meticulous remelting process. The Alpine Eagle 41 XP model is endowed with pure, sleek lines and harmonious proportions. Measuring 41 millimetres in diameter and just eight millimetres thick, its case, featuring a slimmed-down bezel and sides, provides a wide opening onto the unprecedented dial.

L.U.C Calibre 96.17-L: mechanical performance
The thinness of the case is made possible by the use of the in-house L.U.C 96.17-L movement measuring just 3.30 mm thick. This self-winding movement is equipped with a 22-carat off-centre micro-rotor incorporated into the thickness of the calibre. Its high inertia enables it to wind the two stacked barrels of Chopard Twin technology, which store the energy needed to give the Alpine Eagle 41 XP Time For Art a total 65-hour power reserve. Once fitted, it will remain on time and accurate for more than two and a half days, the length of a long weekend.

TimeForArt
This one-of-a-kind art watch will be part of the TimeForArt event, an auction of outstanding timepieces by the world’s greatest master watchmakers, with 100% of the proceeds directly dedicated to supporting the most visionary contemporary artists through Swiss Institute exhibitions, public apprenticeship programmes and free community workshops. TimeForArt offers a year-round platform for exchanges between the world of watchmaking and the visual arts.

Chopard Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele comments on this remarkable collaboration: “TimeForArt is a unique opportunity to put the spotlight on our highly qualified Artisans through a project that supports the vitality of the art world. Our workshops are committed to preserving and passing on the wealth of watchmaking traditions of which they are the mediators – and this new Alpine Eagle model proves that our approach of independence and integrated skills is both judicious and beneficial.”

Chopard
Founded in 1860, Chopard, The Artisan of Emotions, perpetuates a heritage of traditional expertise and ancestral crafts through contemporary and ethical creations. Cultivating boundless creativity, Chopard takes craftsmanship to its highest level through the work of passionate Artisans.

The Scheufele family, which has been guiding the Maison from generation to generation, is firmly convinced that contemporary luxury must necessarily be responsible and ethical. Today, Chopard uses 100% ethical gold for the production of its gold watches and jewellery, as well as manufacturing its own Lucent Steel™ – with a recycling rate of 80% – for its steel timepieces.

More than 50 skills are mastered at Chopard’s three production sites, where particular attention is paid to providing in-house training, passing on expertise and perpetuating Artistic Crafts.

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Adorned with Chopard’s flamboyant cubes, Bella Hadid is surrounded by an abstract urban scene set against the backdrop of a night skyline infinitely repeated in a play of mirrors, in which lit-up windows in buildings echo Ice Cube’s brilliance. Night reveals the incandescence of the jewellery in a fascinating juxtaposition of two icons. Without shadow, there is no light: such is the common thread running through the images in this ‘Sculpted by Light’ campaign.

A unique motif paying tribute to minimalism
As the collection’s central motif, the cube embodies an idea of geometric perfection and magnifies the light bouncing off its facets. Chopard’s Co-President and Artistic Director Caroline Scheufele introduced this motif in 1999 through a watch that ditched flashy artifice to focus instead on pure shapes. Ever since, the collection has continued to evolve in a perpetual dialogue with light.

Reflecting the Bauhaus movement’s principles emphasising simplicity and functionality, this minimalist, uncluttered aesthetic is characterised by highly graphic lines using only essential elements: light, shape and resistant materials. Ice Cube meets the minimalist inspiration of modern architecture through its vertical nature evoking the skyscrapers of international capitals that are natural homes to the avant-garde. These streamlined, geometric designs are showcased in the new ‘Sculpted by Light’ visuals. Minimalism is expressed as an art of living that involves choosing to safeguard essentials, meaning all that is precious and enduring rather than ephemeral. Ice Cube jewellery embodies this desire to focus on that which is simple, pure, beautiful and lasting.

Apparent simplicity, grounded in refinement
Ice Cube stems from a quest for perfection combining high technology and craftsmanship. While each cube with its identically repeated motif may appear simple, each of its four perfectly symmetrical edges is in fact subtly facetted. As a result, light finds a wealth of refraction points in these tiny surfaces, multiplying the jewellery’s brilliance. Highly technical machining resulting from six years of R&D has enabled perfect milling that creates taut lines on minute surfaces. This constantly optimised, diamond-equipped tool machines the precious metal to the nearest hundredth of a centimetre, producing a pre-polished surface of exceptional quality. The mirror-polished surface is further buffed with a dedicated pad to endow it with ultimate shine and brilliance: this phase is done exclusively by hand, as is the diamond paving on the gemset sections.

An ethical aura
Firmly committed to an ethical approach blending seamlessly with its identity, Chopard favours essential and enduring creations. As early as 2017, the use of ethical gold to produce the jewellery in the collection testified to the Maison’s commitment to responsible practices. While Chopard made ethical gold the norm for all its watch and jewellery creations the following year, the fact that it used Ice Cube to spearhead its sustainable endeavours demonstrates its attachment to a collection that is part of a contemporary approach in which materials are every bit as important as product design.

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The subtle balance between the art of jewellery-making and watchmaking expertise enables L’Heure du Diamant to combine intelligence and beauty, thereby offering the perfect expression of today’s femininity. The new timepiece joining the collection is fresh demonstration of this reality. The absolute purity of the diamond is majestically highlighted by an emblematic gemsetting technique called crown setting, which exalts the beauty of each stone by allowing the light to blaze through. This ribbon composed of more than two carats of brilliant-cut diamonds encircling the case lights up a dainty dial in textured mother-of-pearl or malachite set with 12 brilliant-cut diamonds.

A bark-style bracelet stemming from unique expertise
Crafted in ethical 18-carat white or rose gold, this L’Heure du Diamant timepiece is paired with a bark-style bracelet, whose ergonomics, texture and silky feel are the result of unique expertise. In a resolutely plant-like manner, its extremely fine veins create a vibrant appearance, as this finely woven motif endows the gold with unrivalled suppleness and lightness. This gold-working technique perfected by the Scheufele family in the 1960s is entirely handcrafted. An alternative satin strap is also available, likewise comfortably moulding the shape of the wrist.

An innovative Chopard movement
Beating at the heart of the watch is a mechanical manual-winding Chopard 10.01-C movement driving the hours and minutes indications, with a 45-hour power reserve. Measuring 15.70 mm in diameter and only 2.90 mm thick, this brand-new in-house movement is one of the daintiest and slimmest to date, thus making it a perfect fit for dainty jewellery watches. It was entirely developed and produced within the Maison’s workshops in Fleurier, Switzerland, revealing both the technical brilliance and the perpetual quest for innovation cultivated by Chopard.

The Maison’s watchmaking heritage
For decades, jewellery watches have been one of the historic specialities of the Scheufele family, which now presides over the destiny of Chopard. At the exact intersection between beauty and precision, the L’Heure du Diamant collection reaps the benefits of this technical virtuosity dedicated to great artistic modernity. From designer to watchmaker, from jeweller to gemsetter and from polisher to watchmaker, exponents of the full range of artistic crafts combine their talents in bringing these creations to life.

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In a perfect blend of art, tradition, craftsmanship and modernity, L’Heure du Diamant revives the modernism of the 1960s. From the first creation designed in 1969 by Karl Scheufele – as a token of his love for his wife Karin – to the new releases presented this year, the models in the L’Heure du Diamant collection have traversed the decades, always well ahead of their time and vividly testifying to Chopard’s dual watchmaking and jewellery expertise.

The octagonal case – a first in the collection
This is the collection’s first watch to feature an octagonal case. Its strong lines and perfectly mastered proportions were inspired by historical 1960s timepieces and the powerful design embodies the quintessence of how marrying vintage with present-day vibes can bring a contemporary yet timeless touch. At the centre of these 32 mm-diameter octagons, mother-of-pearl and malachite dials add both softness and a hint of classicism.

Crown setting – a Chopard innovation
In keeping with the Scheufele family’s expertise in jewellery watches, this new case shape is enhanced by a unique gemsetting technique known as crown setting. Epitomising masterful craftsmanship, the crown setting features V-shaped prongs – invented by Karl Scheufele – enabling light to reach the diamonds with as little interference as possible. The watch case thus vanishes beneath a diamond coronet, surrounding the dial with a glittering, over 4-carat halo.

Only the purest, most luminous diamonds are chosen by Chopard to adorn its creations. For L’Heure du Diamant, Karin Scheufele herself now oversees the choice of stones that will adorn the watches so dear to her heart and to the history of the Maison. Her infallible eye enables instant recognition of the stones that will best enhance these exceptional creations.

The supple bracelet – expertise and hand-crafted assembly
Among all the skills mastered in-house, Chopard cultivates genuine expertise in the creation of metal bracelets. Even before the acquisition of Chopard in 1963, the Scheufele family was producing its gold chains and bracelets in its workshops in Pforzheim, Germany. The exceptionally comfortable, supple bracelet of these new models is thus inspired by and built on an iconic 1960s design.

The mechanical self-winding movement
The three new L’Heure du Diamant models beat to the rhythm of the Chopard 09.01-C movement and its 42-hour power reserve; a self-winding movement entirely designed, developed and assembled in the Fleurier watchmaking workshops.

The collection
The L’Heure du Diamant collection was launched in the late 1960s, a period filled with political and social upheavals, yet also characterised by a very strong aesthetic. It was a decade of vibrant, colourful creativity and assertive style – just like the first L’Heure du Diamant creations. These graphic, modern, technically innovative and resolutely jewelled pieces were an instant hit and have been ever since.

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In 2010, Chopard Co-President and Artistic Director Caroline Scheufele unveiled a collection evocatively named IMPERIALE in the City of the Doges. What better setting could one dream of to launch this new treasure than Venice – “La Serenissima”? Endowed with a design inspired by imperial aesthetic codes and cases equipped with in-house movements, the collection has been enriched over the years with genuine collector’s items – including timepieces featuring a moon phase or a tourbillon.

These two new models are no exception, perfectly combining the ancestral expertise Chopard proudly nurtures within its walls. Entirely designed, developed and conceived in-house, these models require the intervention of numerous artisans: from crafting the case to making the movement, from watchmaker to gemsetter, from enamellist to mother-of-pearl artist, all strive to create exceptional timepieces. These represent veritable showcases for the craftsmanship that Chopard is committed to perpetuating, keeping the techniques handed down from generation to generation alive and training young artisans.

Mother-of-pearl and enamel light up the IMPERIALE aesthetic codes
These two new 36 millimetre-diameter models are crafted in ethical 18-carat white or rose gold with diamond-set bezel, lug covers, cabochons and crown. While the collection’s customary design codes (dagger-type hands, lotus-flower crown, lugs shaped like ancient columns) are reproduced on these creations, it is their unique dials that catch collectors’ attention. The dial-making artisans have fashioned marquetry masterpieces inspired by the finest achievements in the realm of the decorative arts.

On the rose gold version, the likewise rose gold dial is entirely covered with dainty blue mother-of-pearl. A raised pink gold decorative fillet traces the collection’s emblematic arabesque motif while forming a subtle floral pattern. Studded across this work of art are alternating padparadscha sapphires and delicate flowers graced with pink mother-of-pearl petals and diamond hearts.

In the white gold version, a magnificent deep blue-green enamel sets the tone, rimmed by a raised white gold decorative fillet forming graceful arabesques filled with white enamel. Padparadscha sapphires and pink mother-of-pearl flowers complete this delightful picture. This magnificent craftsmanship is complemented by the IMPERIALE alligator leather straps and dagger-shaped hands.

A cadence set to the rhythm of the Chopard 96.17-C movement
These precious timepieces are driven by a movement entirely designed and developed in the Manufacture’s watchmaking workshops. Visible through the transparent case back, the Chopard 96.17-C movement is equipped with Chopard Twin technology with a double barrel, providing a generous 65-hour power reserve. At just 3.3 mm thick, this 167-component calibre is ideally suited to the exquisitely feminine, dainty IMPERIALE watch.

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Designers, gemmologists, lapidaries, model-makers, sculptors, polishers, gemsetters and watchmakers are just some of the exceptional artisans who devoted their skills to crafting these two jewellery masterpieces born of Caroline Scheufele’s fertile imagination. The production cycle involved over 400 hours of fine workmanship lavished on each of these models.

Each watch sparkles with a treasure trove of more than 1,000 precious stones, generous fruits of the Earth carefully selected for their perfect colour, clarity and sparkle, then assembled in a precious Fairmined-certified ethical 18-carat white gold structured according to a signature design emblematic of Chopard Haute Joaillerie.

This graceful and symmetrical precious lace pattern embodies the skilful orchestration of different gem sizes and shapes: a three-way conversation between Nature, Haute Joaillerie and Haute Couture giving rise to a timeless jewel sculpting the allure of contemporary women.

Jewellery watch in Fairmined-certified ethical 18-carat white gold, entirely set with pear-shaped (22.93 carats) and brilliant-cut (4.36 carats) sapphires as well as brilliant-cut (6.47 carats) and pear-shaped (6.08 carats) diamonds. Mother-of-pearl dial.
Ref. 104327-1001

Jewellery watch in Fairmined-certified ethical 18-carat white gold, entirely set with pear-shaped and brilliant-cut diamonds. Mother-of-pearl dial.
Ref. 104327-1002

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A little black dress
A true icon of Joie de Vivre, Happy Sport has been continuously reinvented in an infinite palette of colours whose shimmer accentuates its playful character and positive energy. The star of Chopard women’s watchmaking now slips just as easily into an LBD. Without losing any of its casual elegance, its allure is thus enhanced by an almost movie-like scenography highlighting the choreography of its dancing diamonds. “3, 2, 1… Action!” Pairing black and gold, steel and diamonds, darkness and light, the design is reminiscent of black felt curtains, popping flashbulbs and Hollywood studio spotlights.

The appealing result features a perfect blend of glamour and understatement: just like an LBD, the watch lends itself to every look and circumstance. Black struts its stuff on three central elements of the watch. First, on the intense black-lacquered dial dotted with gold indications. Second, on the varnished calfskin strap, whose glossy shine echoes the dial texture. The strap is interchangeable, giving the watch the potential for infinitely varied transformations. Finally, the bevelled crown in ethical rose gold completes the watch’s chromatic harmony by swapping its traditional sapphire – one of the collection’s classic design codes – for a setting of onyx: a hard stone that Chopard has long associated with the playfulness of its dancing diamonds in Happy Hearts jewellery.

Forever dancing diamonds…
A round case with gentle, soothing curves, like a protective talisman. A fascinating dial on which every woman’s gaze naturally lingers as she catches her breath before setting off again into the hectic rush of everyday life. One look at the Happy Sport timepiece and an invigorating mirror of one’s own energy appears, extended through the ballet performed by the dancing diamonds – three on the 30 mm-diameter model and five on the 36 mm version – in a marvellous game of chance and kinetic energy. Happy Sport is a story of free spirit and Joie de Vivre daily reinvented by the women who wear it.

Responsible materials
As part of its Journey to Sustainable Luxury, Chopard has chosen to highlight the twirling of the dancing diamonds by crafting the Happy Sport’s case in its exclusive Lucent Steel™. Made from at least 80% recycled material, this alloy endowed with properties comparable to surgical steel is brighter, stronger and more comfortable to wear than standard steel. Since 2023, Chopard has extended the use of Lucent Steel™ to encompass the production of all its steel timepieces.

For the crown and cabochons, Chopard’s workshops used ethical 18-carat rose gold. One of the rare Manufactures to have had its own precious metals smelting workshop for several decades, Chopard is able to control its value chain in order to offer creations that reflect a more responsible world.
Infinite creativity
A veritable style icon, Happy Sport has been playing the mix & match game since 1993, happily blending genres, steel and diamonds. Chopard’s visionary and avant-garde Co-President and Artistic Director, Caroline Scheufele dreamed up this watch that is incredibly beautiful, but above all not formal. Sophisticated yet sporty. Joyful, mischievous and so very modern, it plays with aesthetic codes without ever losing the essence of its femininity. Happy Sport opens the door to infinite transformations, sweeping along with it a world on the move – that of women’s emancipation. “Be Happy!”, all the power of a wristworn talisman.

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A colourful dance
One look at the Happy Sport timepiece and you’ll see a lively mirror of your own energy, picked up in the ballet of dancing diamonds representing a marvellous game of random chance and kinetic energy. Happy Sport is the story of the free-spirited attitude and Joie de Vivre daily reinvented by women around the world. Dancing diamonds now invite a new coloured stone to join their perpetual whirl. Aquamarines dictate the colour scheme of a new timepiece: set against a silver-toned background with a finely guilloché centre, the dial is adorned with hands and hour-markers in matching tones further echoed by the aquamarine set in the crown and by the glossy alligator leather strap.

Mechanical performance
By using the golden ratio in direct relation to the diameter of the Chopard 09.01-C movement with automatic winding powering its ladies’ watch collections, the round, gently curved and all-embracing proportions of this Happy Sport 33 mm are particularly well suited to the wrists of their elegant wearers.

Endowed with a 42-hour power reserve, this timepiece beats to the tune of a calibre entirely developed, produced and assembled in the Maison’s watchmaking workshops. Its precision makes it the best possible ally for women with fast-paced lifestyles, who make every minute a precious moment. A perfect example of horological performance and jewellery design equally mastered by the Manufacture, Happy Sport showcases its artisans’ virtuosity.

A responsible material
As part of its Journey towards Sustainable Luxury, Chopard has chosen to enhance the whirl of dancing diamonds by crafting the Happy Sport case from its exclusive Lucent Steel™. This alloy manufactured from at least 80% recycled material features properties comparable to surgical steel making it brighter, stronger and more comfortable to wear than its standard counterpart. Since 2023, Chopard has been using Lucent Steel™ for the production of all its steel timepieces.

Happy Sport, story of a watch icon
In 1993, Caroline Scheufele (Co-President and Artistic Director of Chopard) effectively captured the spirit of the times by designing a sports watch based on the unprecedented combination of steel and diamonds. Happy Sport was the result. Since then, it has continued to celebrate the Joie de Vivre and free spirit that women reinvent every day to conquer the world. The Happy Sport watch offers a veritable show in which a woman plays an indispensable role in which her own movements provide the impetus for the mobile diamonds and this constantly recomposed tableau. A metaphor for the emancipation of women in the 20th century, the collection is a reflection of this hectic life, and has lent itself to infinite metamorphoses since its beginnings.

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In 2016, the first L.U.C Full Strike model heralded a a novel way of generating and propagating the sound of a minute repeater. By using solid sapphire gongs and having the sapphire crystal serve as a resonator, as well as by combining these two components into a single, monobloc entity, Chopard offered incomparable tonal richness and acoustic intensity. This crystal-clear, inalterable sound earned the first L.U.C Full Strike model in rose gold the ultimate “Aiguille d’Or” award at the 2017 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.

The case: an innovative material
The use of ceramicised titanium for the new L.U.C Full Strike model represents a new feat in Chopard Manufacture’s art of fitting its exceptional minute repeater movement inside a case whose material in no way alters the purity of the sound, since the sapphire crystal is directly connected to the gongs, with which it forms a robust whole. It is the latter that vibrates and excites the surrounding air, forming a perfect loudspeaker. In so doing, it generates the sound and musicality of the L.U.C Full Strike timepiece.

Widely used in fields such as aerospace, the automotive industry and the production of medical components, ceramicised titanium is obtained by oxidising the surface layers of titanium at extreme temperatures using electro-plasma technology. The result is a metal with an attractive anthracite colour, offering the combined advantages of titanium and ceramics. The ceramicised titanium used to make the L.U.C Full Strike case – and which the workshops had already used for the L.U.C GMT One Black and L.U.C Time Traveler One Black models – is therefore both very light and shock-resistant, while boasting a superior hardness of around 1,000 Vickers (Hv). By way of comparison, standard grade 5 titanium has a hardness of 300 Vickers. This vastly improves the metal’s coefficient of friction as well as its resistance to wear and corrosion. Machining this innovative metal involves very strict and complex specifications, as the raw elements composing it must be of the highest level of purity. Thanks to this constraint, ceramicised titanium is a highly dermo-compatible material which – along with its light weight – makes the L.U.C Full Strike timepiece extremely comfortable to wear.

The case measures 42.50 millimetres in diameter and 11.55 millimetres thick: pleasingly balanced proportions that remain identical to previous versions of L.U.C Full Strike and contribute to the L.U.C collection’s characteristic elegance.

The dial: a colourful look for a daring overall effect
This model features a verdigris dial ensuring elegant chromatic harmony with the anthracite case. This is the first time that Chopard has associated its minute repeater with such a splash of colour: a daring move that demonstrates the Manufacture’s contemporary approach to Haute Horlogerie.

The centre is finely frosted, while the chapter ring and small seconds counter feature an opaline finish creating a velvety appearance. A cut-out between 9 and 11 o’clock reveals the bead-blasted steel hammers, whose surface has been PVD-treated to match the case colour. These hammers are positioned at dial level and thus clearly visible, forming an integral part of the watch’s design.

The railway-type minutes track is engraved on the crystal and painted, complementing a chapter ring punctuated by applied herringbone-shaped hour-markers in a matt metallic black shade – like the case – facing anthracite transferred counterparts on the inner ring.

The dial is also punctuated by the small seconds counter at 6 o’clock, the “L.U.CHOPARD” logo capsule at 3 o’clock, as well as the concentric power reserve indicator at 2 o’clock: two hands indicate the energy remaining in the barrel driving the movement (which as a 60-hour power reserve), and in the barrel driving the minute repeater.

The refinement of this model is acknowledged by the prestigious Poinçon de Genève, which applies to the construction and finishing of both the movement and the case.

The movement: an unprecedented chronometer with a patented sound mechanism
The L.U.C Full Strike watch inherits the unique advances characterising the L.U.C 08.01-L movement with its four Chopard-patented technical systems.

In a minute repeater mechanism, the energy used by the strikework is provided each time the winding lever is activated. Here, the energy comes from a separate, dedicated barrel wound directly by the crown. This enables the L.U.C Full Strike model to chime the most complex and energy-intensive time of day (or night) – namely 12 hours and 59 minutes – up to 12 times. This exceptional autonomy is due to several factors. It benefits from the contribution of a patented clutch-lever mechanism ensuring that the strikework going train is blocked to avoid losing power reserve during the information capture that controls the minute repeater.

This autonomy is moreover also the result of Chopard Manufacture’s experience in multiple barrels. The founding movement of the L.U.C collection – L.U.C Calibre 96.01-L introduced in 1996 – already featured Chopard Twin technology, whose two superimposed barrels deliver long-lasting and reliable force. Since it has an autonomous energy source, the strikework systematically respects the defined rhythm, with no pauses between the hours and quarters, or between the quarters and minutes, whatever the time and however many times it chimes.

Keen to preserve the user-friendliness of the minute repeater and to make its operation as secure as possible, Chopard Manufacture has introduced a large number of innovative systems. Thus, if the barrel no longer has sufficient force to power the minute repeater, a safety mechanism blocks its release. Chopard has also filed a patent for a new strikework-activation device. As soon as it is activated, the pusher is disengaged, thereby making it impossible to disturb the running of the minute repeater or to damage it.

L.U.C Calibre 08.01-L operates at a 4 Hertz frequency, thereby guaranteeing enhanced rate stability and representing a rare feature on a minute repeater. To ensure even greater precision, the L.U.C Full Strike is equipped with a mechanism that stops the seconds hand at 6 o’clock when the crown is pulled out. This stop-second mechanism ensures that the time is set with perfect accuracy. The precision of the movement is chronometer-certified by the COSC (Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute), a guarantee to which Chopard Manufacture has long been committed.
L.U.C: elegance and Fine Watchmaking in timeless symbiosis
Since 1996, Chopard Manufacture has been perpetuating watchmaking expertise and reflecting the inspired vision of Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, committed to a quest for innovation and to defending a heritage passed on by generations of watchmakers – true artisans of watchmaking emotions – since the time of Louis-Ulysse Chopard, founder of the Maison in 1860.

Movement development, finished product design, precious metal smelting, case stamping and machining, calibre components, engraving and traditional hand-crafted finishes, Grand Feu enamel, surface treatments, polishing, assembly, adjustments and quality controls: its Swiss workshops in Geneva and Fleurier enable Chopard to master the full range of watch production operations involved in each creation of the L.U.C collection.

The work of experienced artisans, these timepieces, whose simple and pure design expresses a high degree of mechanical sophistication, beat to the rhythm of the emotions experienced by the contemporary gentlemen for whom they are intended.

The post A new L.U.C Full Strike edition The crystal-clear sound of the Chopard minute repeater chimes at the heart an audacious new design in ceramicised titanium appeared first on Arab Watch Guide.

Innovation: a jumping-hour model with a generous power reserve enabled by Chopard Quattro technology
With its L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 timepiece, Chopard Manufacture presents its interpretation of a horological complication greatly prized by collectors: the jumping hour. This 100-piece numbered limited edition combines an understated design with the technical boldness typical of the L.U.C collection. Combining tradition and modernity, its case in ethical 18-carat white gold features rounded shapes inspired by the hunter-type cases of the pocket watches once designed by Louis-Ulysse Chopard.
The L.U.C 98.06-L movement equipping this timepiece is one of the few in this category of watches – which generally consume a great deal of energy – to offer up to eight days of power reserve. Thanks to the four stacked and series-coupled barrels based on the unique Chopard Quattro technology – which usually allows up to 216 hours of autonomy – the L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 maintains a reserve above 190 hours despite the amount of energy required for the instant rotation of the hours disc. This power reserve can be tracked using the indicator engraved on the movement visible through the transparent case-back. This is a feature shared by several L.U.C movements, such as the L.U.C 02.15-L (a tourbillon movement with perpetual calendar) and the L.U.C 05.01-L (a Grand Complication calibre combining a tourbillon, a perpetual calendar and an equation of time, among other feats).

Together, the four barrels comprise almost two metres of spring. In addition to providing a more generous power reserve, they ensure greater accuracy because the energy transmitted is more evenly distributed. The energy delivered to the escapement is more constant, as is the amplitude, thus enabling high levels of chronometric (precision timekeeping) performance.

Visible through a transparent arena case-back, this highly complicated mechanical movement with manual winding guarantees reliability and precision within an overall thickness of just 4.85 millimetres. The balance-spring is equipped with a Phillips terminal curve that guarantees the regulating organ’s precision throughout the movement’s operation – a feat of which only authentic Fine Watchmaking manufactures are capable. It features a swan’s neck regulator enabling more precise timing of the balance frequency and hence the rate of the watch, by helping to fine-tune the active length of the balance-spring. In addition to its technical benefits, this device also endows the calibre with a more sophisticated aesthetic.

Artistic craftsmanship: a dial produced by Chopard Manufacture’s enamelling Artisan
Equally noble both inside and out, the L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 timepiece displays the time on a pure black dial, entirely hand-crafted in-house by Chopard Manufacture’s enamelling Artisan. Starting with/Working on an ethical 18-carat white gold base, this Grand Feu enamelled dial is fired several times at very high temperatures (820°C). It is then lightly polished to create a unique shine. The use of black enamel entails a specific challenge in that any potential flaw is immediately apparent when the light plays across a surface of this colour.

The hours appear through an aperture positioned at 6 o’clock so as to ensure that the minutes hand does not obscure the sight of the hours change, which takes place instantaneously. The white gold aperture frame accentuates the sobriety of the large white Arabic numerals showing the hours against a black background.

Patience, constancy and meticulousness are essential to the creation of each of this limited edition’s enamel dials. The entirely hand-made process means that each timepiece represents a unique result testifying to the manual and intellectual brilliance of the artisan who patiently fashioned it. The integration of this artistic craft demonstrates Chopard Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele’s desire to make Chopard Manufacture a centre of excellence dedicated to perpetuating traditional watchmaking expertise.

Precision: Poinçon de Genève-certified finishing
The high-quality work devoted to the L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 has earned it the Poinçon de Genève. Governed by strict criteria of excellence, this highly coveted label is awarded exclusively to a few watchmaking creations whose beauty provides the perfect setting for a flawlessly functioning mechanism. It guarantees not only the quality, precision and reliability of the movement and the watch as a whole, but also ensures that the assembly was carried out in the canton of Geneva, the historical cradle of Fine Watchmaking.

Precise adjustments, wearer comfort and readability, movement bridges entirely adorned with the Côtes de Genève motif and finely bevelled components: these are the characteristics that make the L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 a refined timepiece from both aesthetic and technical standpoints.

L.U.C: elegance and Fine Watchmaking in timeless symbiosis
Since 1996, Chopard Manufacture has been perpetuating watchmaking expertise and reflecting the inspired vision of Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, committed to the quest for innovation and to defending a heritage passed on by generations of watchmakers – true artisans of watchmaking emotions – since the time of Louis-Ulysse Chopard, founder of the Maison in 1860.

Movement development, finished product design, precious metal smelting, case stamping and machining, calibre components, engraving and traditional hand-crafted finishes, Grand Feu enamel, surface treatments, polishing, assembly, adjustments and quality controls: its Swiss workshops in Geneva and Fleurier enable Chopard to master the full range of watch production operations involved in each creation of the L.U.C collection.

The work of experienced artisans, these timepieces whose simple and pure design expresses a high degree of mechanical sophistication beat to the rhythm of the emotions experienced by the contemporary gentlemen for whom they are intended.

The post L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 Chopard Manufacture’s jumping-hour timepiece adorned with an exceptional black dial crafted in Grand Feu enamel appeared first on Arab Watch Guide.

Reinterpreting a historical design
The latest addition to the L.U.C Qualité Fleurier collection captivates first and foremost with its elegant allure. Inspired by the very first L.U.C Qualité Fleurier watch in 2005, its curved lines endow it with an undeniably elegant profile and optimal wearer comfort. This horological masterpiece radiates a pervasive sense of nobility: its elongated welded lugs follow the pleasing proportions of the Lucent Steel™ case measuring 39 millimetres in diameter and 8.92 millimetres thick.

This is the first time that a timepiece certified according to Fleurier Quality Foundation criteria has been fashioned in this unique metal – produced with a recycling rate of at least 80% and endowed with exclusive properties – whose use the Manufacture extended to all its steel timepieces in 2023.

The superior brilliance of Lucent Steel™ is matched by a silver-toned sector-type dial. This type of watch face – characterised by two concentric rings marked off by radial lines tracing “sectors” that facilitate distinct readings of the hours and minutes – is a throwback to the original L.U.C Qualité Fleurier model in 2005. The separation between the different sectors is underscored by contrasts in the surfaces of the monochrome dial: while the centre is sunburst satin-brushed, the chapter ring has a circular satin-finish and the small seconds counter is finely snailed. This understated, functional display punctuated by luminescent indications features syringe-type hands that have become a classic feature of the L.U.C Qualité Fleurier identity.

The embodiment of casual elegance, this L.U.C chronometer is paired with a casual vintage brown calfskin strap featuring beige strap stitching.

A global certification
This model’s meticulous aesthetics go hand in hand with a technical feat made possible by the L.U.C 96.09-L movement. An evolved version of Chopard Manufacture’s first calibre, this ultra-thin mechanism measuring just 3.30 millimetres thick is equipped with Chopard Twin technology featuring two stacked barrels wound by a bidirectional micro-rotor in 22-carat gold, endowing the watch with a comfortable 65-hour power reserve.

The precision of this self-winding movement, finely executed and adorned with Côtes de Genève by the artisans of the Maison, has been certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute after 15 days of testing, one of the five criteria required by Qualité Fleurier certification.

In addition to an appraisal of exclusive aesthetics, the comprehensive Qualité Fleurier set of tests also covers the quality, shock resistance and precision of watches manufactured in Switzerland. Above and beyond the precision of the Chronometer movement, the reliability of the watch as a whole is verified by the Chronofiable protocol: three weeks of ageing tests in conditions involving hot, cold and damp conditions, pull and push operations on the winding stem, as well as exposure to magnetic fields and repeated shocks. A second phase of precision testing done on the fully cased-up watch is carried out using the Fleuritest simulator: specially developed to obtain the “FQF Haute Horlogerie quality certification”, this machine faithfully reproduces the conditions under which the watch is worn on the wrist for 24 hours, alternating between calm and active phases and even very active phases (such as when engaging in sports). To qualify for the Qualité Fleurier certificate, the rate variation of each assembled timepiece must be between 0 and 5 seconds per day.

L.U.C: elegance and Fine Watchmaking in timeless symbiosis
Since 1996, Chopard Manufacture has been perpetuating watchmaking expertise and reflecting the inspired vision of Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, committed to a quest for innovation and to defending a heritage passed on by generations of watchmakers – true artisans of watchmaking emotions – since the time of Louis-Ulysse Chopard, founder of the Maison in 1860.

Movement development, finished product design, precious metal smelting, case stamping and machining, calibre components, engraving and traditional hand-crafted finishes, Grand Feu enamel, surface treatments, polishing, assembly, adjustments and quality controls: its Swiss workshops in Geneva and Fleurier enable Chopard to master the full range of watch production operations involved in each creation of the L.U.C collection.

The work of experienced artisans, these timepieces, whose simple and pure design expresses a high degree of mechanical sophistication, beat to the rhythm of the emotions experienced by the contemporary gentlemen for whom they are intended.

The post L.U.C Qualité Fleurier In Lucent Steel™ Certified craftsmanship, precision and resistance appeared first on Arab Watch Guide.

As the latest addition to the L.U.C collection, the new L.U.C XPS Forest Green is a contemporary fusion of considered materials in Lucent Steel™ – Chopard’s exclusive alloy featuring advanced properties, produced with a recycling rate of at least 80% – and technical watchmaking with in-house L.U.C Calibre 96.12-L. Exuding a sense of depth and refinement, the satin-brushed dark green dial is achieved by PVD treatment. This sector-type watch face with its precise divisions and intricate detailing adds a touch of vintage sophistication, making the timepiece both contemporary and classic.

A charming sector-type dial
The sector-type dial design sits between the Art Deco and Bauhaus movements, with the concentric circles typical of the former and the functionality of the latter. It adopts a time-only dial layout, giving it both intrigue and aesthetic depth. While there is no hard and fast dictionary definition, a true sector-type dial should feature two concentric rings, one for the minutes and another for the hours. The hours and minutes markers should be radial lines running between the inner and outer edges of the rings – creating the “sectors”. The 1930s saw the popularisation of this dial design among several Manufactures, often using the same dial makers. This style continued through the 1940s and into the 1950s, before falling out of favour in the 1960s and making a big comeback in recent years – witness the L.U.C Qualité Fleurier presented by Chopard Manufacture in 2005. The magic lies in the combining of this distinctive layout with a Forest Green dial and contrasting off-white markers.

Chronometric precision with the L.U.C 96.12-L calibre
The L.U.C 96.12-L is an ultra-thin calibre measuring just 3.30 mm thick, featuring a bidirectional 22-carat gold micro-rotor and twin stacked barrels (Chopard Twin Technology) providing a generous 65-hour power reserve. Visible through the caseback, the bridges are beautifully finished with a Côtes de Genève motif and bevelling. The ‘S’ in the XPS acronym refers to the small seconds at 6 o’clock. This is required by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute, which uses this display to evaluate the precision of the movements it certifies, ensuring the average daily rate of the watch is between −4 and +6 seconds. It corresponds to the fundamental token of elegance sometimes referred to as the politeness of kings: punctuality.

A timeless fusion of elegance and fine watchmaking
Since 1996, Chopard Manufacture has been cultivating watchmaking expertise and reflecting the inspired vision of Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, committed to a quest for innovation and to defending a heritage passed on through generations of watchmakers – true Artisans of Emotions – since the time of the Maison’s founder Louis-Ulysse Chopard.

Movement development, finished product design, case stamping and machining, calibre components, traditional hand-crafted finishes, surface treatments, polishing, assembly, adjustments and quality controls: its Swiss workshops in Geneva and Fleurier enable Chopard to master the full range of production operations for each creation in the L.U.C collection.

The work of talented artisans, these timepieces, endowed with a simple, clean-cut design and expressing a high degree of mechanical sophistication, beat to the rhythm of the emotions experienced by the contemporary gentlemen for whom they are intended: men distinguished by their attachment to art and expertise, watchmaking enthusiasts who lead their lives with passion.

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Chopard enriches its Alpine Eagle Frozen collection with a new case size designed for the slimmest wrists. In addition to the 36 and 41 mm-diameter models, this new watch adopts a 33 mm case, while retaining the collection’s signature finely balanced proportions and contemporary allure.

Diamonds set by the artisans of the Manufacture
The Alpine Eagle 33 Frozen timepiece reveals its majesty through a profusion of precious stones highlighting the art of gemsetting cultivated by the Maison’s artisans from generation to generation. They have patiently paved the entire dial – as well as the crown guards and each bracelet link – with hundreds of diamonds. The collection’s distinctive bezel with its eight indexed screws is also embellished with baguette-cut diamonds.

Through the sparkle of these precious stones, Chopard confirms the collection’s profound inspiration drawn from Nature, celebrated as the greatest architect, with diamonds evoking immaculate glaciers and the luminous beauty of the stars shining down upon them.

A Chopard self-winding movement
Whether in the city or the mountains, the Alpine Eagle Frozen timepiece can count on the reliability of a self-winding movement visible through the exhibition case-back. Chopard Calibre 09.01-C is crafted by the Maison’s artisans from 159 components. It is subject to strict specifications, guaranteeing a 42-hour power reserve and excellent reliability.

Alpine Eagle: reinterpreting an icon
Developed by three generations of gentlemen in the Scheufele family, the Alpine Eagle collection is a modern reinterpretation of the St. Moritz watch, the first horological creation designed by Chopard’s now Co-President, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, in the late 1970s. With its pure, assertive design, Alpine Eagle enriches this heritage with powerful inspiration drawn from Nature. A round case with raised stylised flanks, a crown engraved with a compass rose, a bezel with eight functional indexed screws: Alpine Eagle is a token of refined and resolutely contemporary elegance.

The post Alpine Eagle 33 Frozen In ethical 18-carat white gold entirely set with diamond appeared first on Arab Watch Guide.

A cutting-edge chronograph movement
Beating at the heart of all the Alpine Eagle XL Chrono models, the Chopard 03.05-C movement developed and assembled by the artisans in the Manufacture is one of the world’s most innovative chronograph movements. It has a 60-hour power reserve and features an elaborate design guaranteeing accurate adjustments and optimal use of the chronograph functions. Equipped with a column wheel, it is also enhanced by several technical innovations that have earned Chopard three patents stemming from the boldness of its R&D teams.

First of all, it is equipped with a unidirectional gear drive system that prevents energy losses while ensuring rapid automatic winding, a function much appreciated in the inherently energy-hungry chronograph category. In addition, its vertical clutch ensures accurate time-measurement starts. This chronograph calibre is also of the flyback variety, enabling smooth successive timing operations thanks to three pivoting hammers with elastic arms facilitating zero-setting of the hands.
Equipped with a stop-seconds function enabling accurate adjustments of the watch, the Chopard 03.05-C movement is chronometer-certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute.

Inspired by Nature
Drawing on the Alps’ inherent creative strength and beauty, the design of the Alpine Eagle collection is linked to the aesthetics of its dials, whose texture is reminiscent of an eagle’s iris. The collection’s colour palette is a direct reference to Alpine hues. Witness this Bernina Grey model named after the rock of the eponymous mountain range, a site renowned for its natural splendours, including the towering 4,000-metre Piz Bernina straddling the border between Switzerland and Italy.

The seconds hand with its arrow-shaped tip flies over a highly legible display punctuated by snailed counters. The hands and hour-markers are coated with Grade XI Super-LumiNova®, a treatment offering the advantage of retaining the same intensity over the years, while naturally more luminous than traditional Super-LumiNova®.

The tachymeter scale bearing discreet red 100, 160 and 240 graduations appears on the inner bezel ring. It is divided into four steps, with different intervals of 5, 10, 20 or 40 km/h per line. This arrangement facilitates reading the average speed measurements and contributes to the dial’s overall aesthetic dynamic.

From the case to the in-house bracelet, crown and bezel, this Alpine Eagle XL Chrono model is entirely crafted in ethical 18-carat rose gold. As part of Chopard’s Journey to Sustainable Luxury, the fine gold used to produce the Alpine Eagle watches is 100% ethically sourced, as indeed are all the Maison’s watch and jewellery creations since July 2018. One of the rare Manufactures to have had its own precious metals foundry for several decades, Chopard is thus in a position to control its value chain in order to offer creations conveying a more reasonable approach to stewardship of the Earth.
Reinterpreting an icon
Devised by three generations of men in the Scheufele family, the Alpine Eagle collection is a modern reinterpretation of the St. Moritz watch, the first horological creation by Karl-Friedrich Scheufele in the late 1970s. With its pure and assertive design, Alpine Eagle enriches this heritage with powerful inspiration drawn from Nature. A round case with stylised flanks; a crown engraved with a compass rose; a bezel with eight functional indexed screws; as well as textured dial with deep hues and luminescent indications: Alpine Eagle embodies impeccable elegance expressed in a resolutely contemporary manner. Today, in addition to its chronographs, the collection offers a variety of complications, from a high-frequency movement to a flying tourbillon and an extra-thin model with small seconds indication bearing the Poinçon de Genève.

The post Alpine Eagle XL Chrono In ethical 18-carat rose gold appeared first on Arab Watch Guide.

Inspired by a historical Chopard model, the Alpine Eagle collection has been constantly enriched since its launch by new horological achievements. The latest of these is the introduction within an Alpine Eagle timepiece of a movement developed by Chopard Manufacture, L.U.C Calibre 96.17-S. In the name Alpine Eagle 41 XP TT, the ’41’ refers to the diameter of the case; ‘XP’, for extra-plat (ultra-thin), expresses the slimness of the movement and the watch; while ‘TT’ evokes the terms ‘technical’ and ‘titanium’ that are both strongly featured in the model’s design. Chopard thereby orchestrates a fruitful encounter between the mechanical logic of its workshops and the sporty elegance of the Alpine Eagle collection.

L.U.C 96.17-S: a Chopard Manufacture movement
The ultra-thin L.U.C Calibre 96.17-S combines the technical sophistication and aesthetic refinement underpinning Chopard Manufacture’s approach to watchmaking. An evolved version of the first L.U.C movement, it features an off-centre micro-rotor in 22-carat gold, whose high inertia ensures the efficient winding of two barrels. Stacked in accordance with Chopard Twin technology, these barrels store the energy required for a total 65-hour power reserve.

In the absence of a dial, in order to reveal the mechanism’s inner workings to the full, the mainplate and bridges are openworked in a manner following the curves of the case opening, creating concentric spaces around the movement’s centre and thus providing a chance to admire the components in action. This approach is a signature Chopard touch reflecting the Maison’s wish to adopt an approach distinct from traditional openworking techniques.

The mainplate and bridges are moreover sandblasted, a finish that contrasts with the satin-brushed and polished surfaces of the case and bracelet, directing the gaze towards the movement. In the same spirit, they are then black rhodium-plated to create a new contrast that highlights the gilded gear trains. This technical aesthetic – unprecedented for Alpine Eagle and enabled by the expertise developed over the years in the Chopard Manufacture workshops – blends in brilliantly with the collection’s sporty-chic codes.

A timepiece in grade 5 titanium: a material boasting tried and tested resistance
The Alpine Eagle 41 XP TT is entirely made of grade 5 titanium, which is a slightly darker shade than steel and further accentuates the sporty, rugged identity of the Alpine Eagle, while providing such a light feel that one almost forgets the watch is on the wrist. Combined with a blend of aluminium and vanadium, the properties of grade 5 titanium make it particularly resistant to corrosion and salt water: from steep peaks to the depths of the sea, the Alpine Eagle 41 XP TT remains the finest ally of extreme sports enthusiasts.
The optimal proportions of an ultra-thin timepiece
The proportions of the Alpine Eagle 41 XP TT watch have been optimised thanks to its thin movement: maintaining a total 41-millimetre diameter, the case is just 8 mm thick, while the flanks and bezel have been trimmed down compared with a classic Alpine Eagle 41 model, thus providing a wider opening onto the dial. These exquisitely pleasing proportions, which Chopard reserves for exceptional models, endow the timepiece with an aura of graceful elegance. The Alpine Eagle 41 XP TT also remains true to the aesthetics of the collection, inspired by the power of Nature and nurtured by Chopard’s visionary spirit.

Alpine Eagle: reinterpreting an icon
Envisioned by three generations of gentlemen in the Scheufele family, the Alpine Eagle collection is a modern reinterpretation of the St. Moritz watch, the first horological creation designed by Chopard’s now Co-President, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, in the late 1970s. With its pure, assertive design, Alpine Eagle enriches this heritage with powerful inspiration drawn from Nature. A round case with raised stylised flanks, a crown engraved with a compass rose, a bezel with eight functional indexed screws: Alpine Eagle is a token of refined and resolutely contemporary elegance.

The post Alpine Eagle 41 XP TT (Tech Titanium) in grade 5 titanium appeared first on Arab Watch Guide.

Artistic crafts: sparkling diamonds enhanced by masterful setting
While the Alpine Eagle collection has already welcomed a family of gemset timepieces, the Alpine Eagle 41 XP Frozen Summit model has now reached a new pinnacle. This veritable collector’s masterpiece showcases the art of gemsetting cultivated by the Maison’s skilled artisans. They have painstakingly recut several hundred diamonds and set them on the case, dial and bezel, as well as on each facet of the crown and each link of the bracelet in ethical 18-carat white gold.

With its graphic shapes and geometry, the baguette cut chosen for these stones is particularly suited to the aesthetics of the Alpine Eagle collection and its relationship with light. In instances where the shape of the baguette-cut gems did not lend itself to that of the surfaces, each diamond was carefully recut to ensure that metal remained visible. Assembling, arranging and setting so many gems of the same brilliance and compatible sizes on such a small timepiece is a real challenge. Through the sparkle of these precious stones, Chopard confirms the collection’s profound inspiration drawn from Nature, celebrated as the greatest architect – with diamonds evoking immaculate glaciers and the luminous beauty of the stars shining down upon them.

“With this timepiece, we combine the expertise of our gemsetters with that of our watchmakers, reflecting our heritage in these two artistic crafts perfected over the course of our history – to which we add our lengthy experience in selecting cut stones. Entirely crafted in our workshops, the Alpine Eagle 41 XP Frozen Summit reflects our appreciation of ultimate sophistication”, explains Chopard’s Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele.

The making of an Alpine Eagle XP 41 Frozen Summit timepiece requires no less than 800 hours’ work calling upon the various skills and crafts exercised within the Manufacture.

L.U.C 96.41-L movement: Chopard Manufacture’s watchmaking expertise at the service of the Alpine Eagle collection
Above and beyond its sophisticated design, the Alpine Eagle 41 XP Frozen Summit model beats to the rhythm of the technical excellence cultivated within Chopard Manufacture’s watchmaking workshops. An evolved version of the first calibre presented by the Manufacture in 1996, the new ultra-thin L.U.C 96.41-L movement features an off-centred micro-rotor in 22-carat gold, whose high inertia ensures efficient winding of two barrels. Stacked in accordance with Chopard Twin technology, while preserving the movement’s overall 3.30 mm thickness, they store the energy required to guarantee a total 65-hour power reserve.

Respectful of watchmaking traditions and skills handed down from generation to generation, the Manufacture’s artisans have lavished the highest degree of refined finishing on this movement. All the bridges have been carefully chamfered and adorned with a Côtes de Genève motif: a wealth of details that can be admired through the transparent case-back and which have met the demanding standards laid down by the authorities responsible for granting the prestigious Poinçon de Genève.

Poinçon de Genève: the hallmark of fine craftsmanship
Throughout its vertically integrated production process, Chopard makes and assembles all the components of its Alpine Eagle collection in-house, from movement to case to bracelet. The entire timepiece is certified by the Poinçon de Genève hallmark guaranteeing the quality and smooth functioning of the watches assembled in the Canton. Stamped on the back of the watch and on the movement’s main bridge, it represents the city of Geneva’s coat-of-arms consisting of a gold key and, above all, an eagle: a symbol not unlike the original inspiration for the Alpine Eagle collection. Appearing in the wake of the Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon and Alpine Eagle 41 XPS models, this Alpine Eagle 41 XP Frozen Summit is the third watch in the collection to be awarded this prestigious label of excellence.

Optimal proportions
The proportions of the Alpine Eagle 41 XP Frozen Summit have been optimised thanks to its thin movement: maintaining a total 41-millimetre diameter, the gemset case is just 9 mm thick, while the flanks and bezel have been trimmed down compared with a classic Alpine Eagle 41 model and thus provide a wider opening onto the diamond-paved dial. These exquisitely pleasing proportions, which Chopard reserves for exceptional models, endow the timepiece with an aura of graceful elegance.

Alpine Eagle: reinterpreting an icon
Envisioned by three generations of gentlemen in the Scheufele family, the Alpine Eagle collection is a modern reinterpretation of the St. Moritz watch, the first horological creation designed by Chopard’s now Co-President, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, in the late 1970s. With its pure, assertive design, Alpine Eagle enriches this heritage with powerful inspiration drawn from Nature. A round case with raised stylised flanks, a crown engraved with a compass rose, a bezel with eight functional indexed screws: Alpine Eagle is a token of refined and resolutely contemporary elegance.

The post Alpine Eagle 41 XP Frozen Summit Limited edition of 8 in ethical 18-carat white gold entirely set with diamonds appeared first on Arab Watch Guide.

For the second time, Chopard is the official watch and jewellery partner to the Red Sea International Film Festival, which will take place between November 30th and December 9th, 2023 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

As part of this collaboration, Chopard has the honour of crafting the “Golden Yusr for Best Feature Film” awarded by the Festival jury at the end of the competition. This award is beautifully crafted in the shape of a shell from crystal rock, with gold engravings, thanks to the unique expertise cultivated within the Maison’s workshops.

In 2022, in line with its commitment to promoting young talents, Chopard created a special trophy entitled the “Best Emerging Talent Award”. In 2023, this distinction will once again be presented to an emerging actor or actress as part of the Festival Awards Ceremony, thus turning the spotlight on a new generation of talents.

Commenting on the collaboration, Caroline Scheufele said, “Chopard shares a number of key values with cinema, including a strong focus on daring and creativity. Just like movie stories, our watches and jewellery are thus great sources of emotion and a vector for escapism: they provide a comforting bubble away from the world. Today, we are thrilled to be furthering our commitment to the seventh art through our partnership with the Red Sea International Film Festival.”

Chopard Loves Cinema
Since 1998, Chopard has been a loyal official partner to the Cannes Film Festival. Caroline Scheufele has thus forged unfailing ties with the numerous directors, artists, stylists, actresses and actors whose creations she admires, and on the silver screen, as evidenced by the Maison’s participation in films such as Rocketman (Dexter Fletcher, 2019), Aline (Valérie Lemercier, 2020) or No Time To Die (Cary Joji Fukunaga, 2020), while ensuring that Chopard’s magnificent Haute Joaillerie adds to the sparkle of actresses on the red carpet during the promotion of their films.

The love affair between Chopard and cinema is also at the origin of the Trophée Chopard, awarded each year since 2001 to highlight a young actress and actor emerging onto the international scene.

The post Chopard Loves Cinema Official partner of the Red Sea International Film Festival appeared first on Arab Watch Guide.

Available in versions featuring either Chopard’s exclusive ultra-resistant and highly luminous Lucent Steel A223 or ethical 18-carat rose gold, this timepiece beats to the rhythm of the Chopard 01.01-C movement, whose high-precision timing is authenticated by chronometer certification.

In keeping with the Maison’s commitment to the preservation of the Alpine environment and its biodiversity, part of the proceeds from sales of these models will be donated to the Alpine Eagle Foundation, whose programmes have already enabled the reintroduction of the white-tailed eagle in the Lake Geneva region.

A new colour is making its debut on the dial of the watches in the Alpine Eagle collection: like Aletsch Blue, Bernina Grey or Absolute Black, “Pine Green” is inspired by the palette of natural colours shaping the beauty of the Alpine biotope. It evokes the forests carpeting the mountains when, on summer days, the melting snow gives way to a deep greyish-green mantle of vegetation.

On this textured dial with its radiating pattern evoking the eye of an eagle, the indication of the hours, minutes and seconds provides an elegant and legible contrast through rhodium-plated or gold-plated hour-markers and hands enhanced with Grade X1 Super-LumiNova® to ensure optimal visibility even in the dark. Positioned between 4 and 5 o’clock, the date is clearly indicated on a green disc matching the dial and thus ensuring perfect overall discretion and harmony.

The large 41 mm-diameter case of this new Alpine Eagle model is available in a first version entirely made of Lucent Steel A223. In keeping with the ethical approach to which the Manufacture is committed, this metal exclusive to Chopard is made from 70% recycled material. Thanks to its anti-allergenic composition, it has properties comparable to surgical steel, making it highly dermo-compatible. With its resistance of 223 Vickers, this alloy is 50% more resistant to abrasion than conventional steels and has a unique hardness.

A second version of the timepiece is available in 18-carat rose gold. The fine gold used to produce Alpine Eagle watches is 100% ethical, as is indeed the case for all the Maison’s watch and jewellery creations since July 2018

In keeping with the Manufacture’s commitment to certified precision, the Chopard 01.01-C self-winding movement at the heart of the Alpine Eagle watches and visible through a transparent sapphire caseback is developed in its own watchmaking workshops and certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute. The word “Chronometer” on the dial is a reminder of this label of precision and excellence.

When fully wound, the mechanism enjoys a 60-hour power reserve. Constantly seeking to meet the highest standards of precision, the watchmakers have also equipped this movement with a stop-second function enabling the user to set the time to the nearest second.

www.chopard.com

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This 42.5 mm timepiece in ethical 18-carat rose gold is equipped with the new chronometer-certified L.U.C 08.02-L movement. The extremely accomplished level of finishing, both on the movement and the case, has earned it the Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark.

Its dial, in ruthenium grey-coloured hand-guilloché rose gold, opens to reveal the two complications that make this 20-piece limited edition so sophisticated. Endorsed by virtuoso brothers Renaud and Gautier Capuçon, its acoustic richness achieves an exceptional level of quality, while perfect homogeneity makes it an unparalleled timepiece combining a stunning conceptual challenge with supremely accomplished execution

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of its creation, the L.U.C collection is welcoming a new flagship. The L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon model takes its place among the most sophisticated and most innovative Grand Complication watches ever created to date. It follows in the footsteps of Chopard’s L.U.C Full Strike minute repeater timepieces, of which the first ethical rose gold edition was awarded the “Aiguille d’Or” best-in-show award at the 2017 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. These timepieces feature a unique Chopard-patented system in which the gongs and sapphire crystal form a single entity, which resonates in its entirety to produce the chim

At 42.5 mm in diameter and 12.58 mm thick, the L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon is distinguished by well-balanced proportions contributing to the characteristic elegance of the L.U.C collection. With its interplay of grey and gold colours between the case and strap, dial and hands, as well as between the movement’s steel and nickel silver components, this watch flaunts its aesthetic perfection at every level

For the first time in the history of the Full Strike, the L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon model has an almost entirely solid dial. Instead of broadly revealing the watch’s internal mechanisms, it reserves its openings for the two horological complications that make this piece so special. The first cut-out between 9 and 11 o’clock, highlights the two mirror-polished steel hammers whose striking generates the chime. The other, at 6 o’clock, reveals the tourbillon of the L.U.C 08.02-L calibre. Thanks to a cross-through sapphire crystal tourbillon bridge, nothing obscures the view of the spiral-shaped carriage bridge. The final touch, made possible by the use of sapphire with its multiple properties, lies in the four rounded notches. This L.U.C signature tourbillon bridge is derived from a design by the founder of the Maison, Louis-Ulysse Chopard.

Chopard Manufacture watchmakers have placed the tourbillon of the L.U.C 08.02-L calibre at 6 o’clock, beneath the seconds hand. Its high-quality steel carriage picks up the distinctive spiral design – a signature of L.U.C tourbillons. This regulator further enhances the precision of the movement, a subject to which Chopard’s Co-President, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, takes a resolutely uncompromising approach. It combats the adverse effects of gravity on the balance-spring and escapement by placing them in a variety of spatial positions. The tourbillon placed on the Chopard Manufacture minute repeater mechanism thereby contributes to the extreme precision of L.U.C Calibre 08.02-L as well as to the obtention of chronometer certification from the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute.

The L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon is not a mere modification of the L.U.C Full Strike. Moving from a calibre comprising 533 components to one with 568 is not an addition, but a revolution. The decision to include a tourbillon regulator required a complete development process that involved rethinking interactions and layouts. With such a delicate complication subject to as many parameters as the minute repeater, the Chopard Manufacture workshops had to ensure that this tourbillon would not in any way modify the acoustic qualities of the chime. This equilibrium is preserved by the sapphire gongs that are all-of-a-piece with the watch glass, which acts as a resonator. Moreover, the fact that the minute repeater has its own barrel naturally eliminates any energy-related interference, while the presence of the tourbillon does not alter the striking reserve

L.U.C Calibre 08.02-L inherits the unprecedented advances featured in the L.U.C 08.01-L: the first minute repeater movement introduced by Chopard Manufacture in 2016. In addition to its resonant structure, whose role is taken on by the sapphire crystal, several innovative technical systems have been added. It also benefits from the innovations introduced in L.U.C Calibre 02.01-L in 2003. A total of seven are the subject of patents. In a minute repeater mechanism, the energy used by the strikework is provided each time the arming lever is activated. Here, the energy comes from a separate, dedicated barrel wound directly by the crown.

It enables the L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon to chime a maximum of 12 times the most complex and energy-intensive time: namely 12 hours and 59 minutes. This exceptional power reserve is due to several factors. Benefiting from a patented clutch-lever device, it ensures that the strikework gear train is blocked to avoid losing power reserve during the information capture that controls the minute repeater.

Keen to preserve the user-friendliness of the minute repeater and to make its operation as secure as possible, Chopard Manufacture has introduced a number of innovative systems. Thus, if the barrel no longer has sufficient force to power the minute repeater, a safety mechanism blocks its release. In addition, Chopard has filed a patent for a new strikework-activation device. As soon as it is activated, the pusher is disengaged, thereby making it impossible to disturb the running of the minute repeater or to damage it

The Chopard L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon is actually part of a Trinity Trio made of three watches including the Full Strike Sapphire and the Full Strike One …all relying on the Sapphire technology to produce the best resonating sound for the strikes.

The L.U.C Full Strike Sapphire timepiece is the first minute repeater watch whose case is made entirely of corundum crystal, better known as sapphire. By merging container and content, musical expression and transparency, Chopard has created a veritable horological musical instrument. Thanks to the homogeneity of the material – which is present throughout the sound propagation chain – this five-piece limited series gets the very best from sapphire.

Above and beyond its aesthetic prowess, the choice of lab-created sapphire is justified by its technical properties: derived from synthetic corundum, this material is one of the most resistant to scratches and has an estimated hardness of nine on the Mohs scale, almost as hard as diamond. Moreover, although producing a sapphire case entails considerable machining difficulties, it has the advantage of remaining unalterable over time.

The post Chopard adds L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon appeared first on Arab Watch Guide.

Available in three versions – in  Lucent Steel A223 with an Aletsch Blue or Pitch Black dial and a bi-material version combining Lucent Steel A223 and ethical rose gold with a Pitch Black dial – the Alpine Eagle XL Chrono timepiece with integrated bracelet is, like the entire collection, very much inspired by the power of the eagle and the beauty of the Alps. Four patents testifying to its accuracy and user-friendliness have been filed for the Chopard 03.05-C mechanical movement with automatic movement and flyback function. From movement to case and from dial to bracelet, Alpine Eagle XL Chrono timepieces are made entirely in Chopard’s watchmaking ateliers, the work of Artisans paying tribute to Nature.

A cutting-edge chronograph movement

With the introduction of the Alpine Eagle XL Chrono, the collection successfully launched by Chopard in 2019 already boasts ten references in two case sizes and has been expanded to include three models with an extra-large 44 mm diameter. These more imposing models follow the shape of men’s wrists and provide ample space to house a sophisticated chronograph movement. The discreet right-hand pushers are subtly integrated on either side of the crown guards and preserve the collection’s characteristically harmonious shape and symmetry.

Beating at the heart of these three new models, the Chopard 03.05-C movement is meticulously crafted by the Artisans in the Maison’s watchmaking workshops. It has a 60-hour power reserve and features an elaborate design guaranteeing accurate adjustments and optimal use of the timing functions. Equipped with a column wheel, it is also enhanced by several technical innovations that have earned Chopard no less than four patents, the fruit of the boldness of its research and development teams.

First of all, it is equipped with a unidirectional gearing system that prevents energy losses while ensuring rapid winding, a function much appreciated in the inherently energy-hungry chronograph category. In addition, its vertical clutch mode guarantees accurate time-measurement starts. This chronograph calibre is also of the flyback variety, enabling smooth successive timing operations thanks to three pivoting hammers with elastic arms facilitating zero-setting of the counters. Finally, the Chopard 03.05-C is equipped with a Variner ensuring that rate of the movement is stable by compensating for its variations in inertia throughout the watch’s lifetime.

This calibre, whose precision is chronometer-certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), is housed in a case forged in Lucent Steel A223, an innovative steel alloy developed by Chopard for its anti-allergenic properties, its robustness and its incomparable brilliance obtained through a meticulous recasting process. The third reference also offers a bi-material alternative with the additional use of 18-carat ethical rose gold for the bezel, crown and part of the bracelet.

Pitch Black in the eagle’s eye

In addition to an Aletsch Blue dial option, Chopard is introducing a new colour in the collection with two Alpine Eagle XL Chrono models featuring a Pitch Black dial. Drawing inspiration from the colours of Alpine nature, Chopard’s Co-President and creator of the collection, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, thought of this shade in reference to the intense blackness of mountain nights when wild Nature reclaims its rights, reminding us in passing how human-related night-time lighting and urbanisation disrupts the way of life of the surrounding fauna.

In both Aletsch Blue and Pitch Black versions, the dial retains its texture and sunburst pattern directly evoking an eagle’s iris.  The feather-shaped seconds hand flies over this highly legible display punctuated by raised counters.

The tachymeter scale, with discreet red 100, 160 and 240 graduations, appears on the inner bezel ring. It is divided into four steps, with different intervals of 5, 10, 20 or 40 km/h per line. This arrangement facilitates reading average speed measurements and contributes to the dial’s overall aesthetic dynamic and harmony.

Reinterpreting an icon

Devised by three generations of gentlemen in the Scheufele family, the Alpine Eagle collection is a modern reinterpretation of the St. Moritz watch, the first horological creation by Karl-Friedrich Scheufele in the late 1970s. With its pure and assertive design, Alpine Eagle enriches this heritage with powerful inspiration drawn from Nature. A round case with stylised flanks; a crown engraved with a compass rose; a bezel with eight functional indexed screws; a textured dial with deep hues and luminescent indications; as well as an integrated metal bracelet.

Chopard’s independence and integrated skills enable the Maison to perform the entire range of the collection’s production and assembly stages in its own workshops, from movement to bracelet, as well as components and case.

https://www.chopard.com/intl/alpine-eagle

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With the L.U.C XP Il Sarto Kiton timepiece, Chopard is introducing its first partnership with the Kiton Ateliers, masters of Italian tailoring. This strictly limited edition of 100 ultra-thin watches in beadblasted DLC-coated steel is soberly attired with a houndstooth-patterned dial and a slate-coloured cashmere strap lined with red alligator leather.

Mechanical excellence is guaranteed by the L.U.C 96.53-L mechanical movement with automatic winding, equipped with a tungsten micro-rotor and Chopard Twin technology ensuring a power reserve lasting more than two days. The best of Swiss Haute Horlogerie and Italian sprezzatura.

Expertise

Known for its elegance imbued with a spirit of purity and simplicity, the ultra-thin L.U.C XP timepiece is nattily attired in a ‘suit’ made to measure by the artisans of the Kiton Ateliers. The encounter between the Swiss watchmaker and the Neapolitan couturier appears to have been written in the stars.

Both representing family Maisons committed to the same vision of craftsmanship and tradition, these two great names in masculine elegance have combined their know-how in creating the L.U.C XP Il Sarto Kiton watch. On the one hand, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele – Co-President of Chopard and the man behind the creation of Chopard Manufacture in 1996 – with his vision of traditional Haute Horlogerie firmly focused on the contemporary world and 21^st century innovations. On the other hand, the fertile creativity of the disciples of Ciro Paone, the founder of the Kiton ateliers in 1968, who believed that: “Men are an inexhaustible source of inspiration, each of their steps is a call to creation“.

“L.U.C. is a collection of Haute Horlogerie watches that stands out for its distinctive character. Our partnership with Kiton is an entirely logical move, in that over the years our two family Maisons have proven the excellence of their craftsmanship and their fertile creativity”, says Karl-Friedrich Scheufele. The result is a highly exclusive timepiece, produced in a numbered 100-piece limited edition.

 Allure

First and foremost, the L.U.C XP Il Sarto Kiton is perfectly proportioned thanks to a 40 mm diameter case that is a mere 7.2 mm thick. This ultra-thin look enables genuine wearer comfort and imposes an aura of simplicity, two imperatives that sum up the philosophy of the L.U.C collection and contribute to its elegance, thereby echoing Ciro Paone’s motto: “Elegance must be associated with simplicity”.

The allure of this timepiece also lies in its chromatic uniformity: a beautiful black silhouette, subtly carved out from the slate grey shades of the beadblasted DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) steel case, dial and strap.

Achieved by galvanic treatment and lacquered finishes, the Kiton Ateliers’ signature is evident at first glance on the brass dial thanks to the Neapolitan tailor’s houndstooth motif that has been a firm favourite since it purchased at auction the wardrobe of King Edward VIII of England, who was hailed, if not for his ephemeral reign, at least for his elegance as an acknowledged dandy.

Against this dark background, the golden Arabic numerals matching the hour-markers and fusée-type Dauphine hands make the hours and minutes perfectly legible. The quarter-hour indications and the Kiton logo at 6 o’clock add a subtle red touch that is picked up in the topstitching on the strap. Testimony to the same artisanal approach, the latter is handmade, free of any chemical treatment and comes in a soft blend of Mongolian cashmere, wool and flannel with a slight touch of elastane, ensuring enhanced wearer comfort. This opulent wristband is lined with red alligator leather as is a second black alligator leather strap also sold with the model.

Accuracy

Because all the timepieces produced in Chopard Manufacture’s watchmaking workshops are amply matched by mechanical perfection, the L.U.C XP Il Sarto Kiton incorporates an in-house movement, the L.U.C 96.53-L calibre. Ultra-thin at just 3.3 mm thick, this is an evolution of Chopard Manufacture’s first L.U.C 96.01-L movement, synonymous with watchmaking excellence and applied in a multitude of new interpretations since it was first presented in 1996.

Like its illustrious ancestor, and thanks to Chopard Twin technology, the mechanical movement L.U.C 96.53-L with automatic winding is equipped with twin barrels ensuring a 58-hour power reserve. It is powered by a micro-rotor made of tungsten, a high-density alloy facilitating optimal winding. Featuring movement bridges finely decorated with “Côtes de Genève”, the L.U.C XP Il Sarto Kiton watch is equally beautiful inside and out, which is precisely why its precious calibre is visible through a transparent case-back.

L.U.C: a collection for gentlemen

The L.U.C. collection embodies the perfect blend of virility and sensitivity, humility and charisma that define the modern-day gentleman. It epitomises an ideal alliance between aesthetics and mechanics, celebrated by those who make their existence a quest for fine craftsmanship and regard inward and outward beauty as an art of living. It is for them that Chopard – an independent family Maison drawing upon the ancestral expertise of its master-watchmakers – performs all stages of production in its Geneva and Fleurier workshops: from movement design to quality control through product design, case stamping and machining, the manufacture of movement components, as well as their hand decoration, surface treatment, polishing, assembly and adjustment.

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