L.U.C Flying T Twin – The First Chopard Flying Tourbillon

With the new L.U.C Flying T Twin, Chopard is unveiling its first calibre equipped with a flying tourbillon.

This technically and aesthetically sophisticated timepiece is distinguished by its remarkable charisma: a hand-guilloché gold dial, impeccable proportions and an ultra-thin case in ethically certified “Fairmined” rose gold make it a truly exceptional creation within the L.U.C collection. This extremely refined 50-piece limited series designed for contemporary gentlemen connoisseurs of Fine Watchmaking is certified by the “Poinçon de Genève” quality hallmark.

While this is a technical first, elegance is the predominant feature here. While the L.U.C Flying T Twin houses an exceptional movement, it stands out first and foremost for the finesse and refinement of its dial. With a case measuring just 7.2 mm, it is the ideal complement for a Sea Island cotton shirt and a deliberately mismatched baby cashmere jacket. While undeniably chic and elegant, this new model in the L.U.C collection does not confine itself to a purely formal approach, thanks to its colour contrasts mingling the warmth of rose gold with anthracite grey.

Nestling inside its ultra-thin 40 mm-diameter case in 18-carat ethically certified “Fairmined” rose gold is a new calibre developed specifically for this timepiece and rounding off the exhaustive range of complications featured in L.U.C models. It is regulated by a flying tourbillon as well as being automatic, a double first for Chopard. This chronometer-certified movement also features a stop-seconds device which is extremely rare on a tourbillon and enables perfectly accurate time-setting. Testifying to the fine craftsmanship lavished on the L.U.C Flying T Twin, it also bears the “Poinçon de Genève” quality hallmark.

A freely spinning carriage

The flying tourbillon of the L.U.C Flying T Twin timepiece is highlighted through a large-diameter aperture at 6 o’clock providing a view into the movement. The physical and visual lightness of the flying tourbillon is used to create a sense of transparency and depth, directly contributing to the exceptional personality of L.U.C Flying T Twin.

This opening appears in the solid dial hand-guilloché executed by Chopard artisans. A snailed motif appears around the chapter ring, while the central medallion is adorned with a honeycomb motif introduced on the 2017 L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer edition. Symbolising a beehive, it is a nod to the first logo used by Louis-Ulysse Chopard. Finally, the ruthenium grey dial strikes a pleasing contrast with the rose gold hands and hour-markers.

L.U.C horological excellence

L.U.C Flying T Twin is the first Chopard timepiece to house a flying tourbillon. Entirely developed, produced and assembled in the L.U.C workshops, it is distinguished by the slenderness of its 7.2 mm case. A flying tourbillon is characterised by the absence of an upper bridge and is naturally slimmer due to being supported from underneath. Calibre 96.24-L is just 3.30 mm thick, the same size as the first Chopard Manufacture movement, Calibre 96.01-L, from which it has evolved. This horological feat in no way modifies any of its fundamental characteristics. Its diameter, its 65-hour power reserve – supplied by two stacked barrels according to Chopard’s patented Twin technology – and its automatic winding via a 22-carat gold winding rotor are all in place. Nonetheless, the movement has no date so as to preserve the purity of the design and leave ample space for the tourbillon.

Ethical commitment

Gold is a L.U.C signature here, since the L.U.C Flying T Twin is crafted from a block of ethically certified “Fairmined” gold. It is responsibly sourced from artisanal mining cooperatives, where both the environment and miners are treated correctly, and to which Chopard pays a premium to be reinvested in community projects.

Chopard is currently the main global purchaser of “Fairmined” gold, which the Manufacture reserves for the production of its Grand Complication watch creations – such as the L.U.C Flying T Twin timepiece – as well as some of its Haute Joaillerie models. Since July 2018, the Maison has been using 100% Ethical gold for the production of all its watches and jewellery.

Chopard’s in-house approach to watch manufacturing

Chopard is a family Maison with a strongly ingrained philosophy of independence. The steps involved in making L.U.C watches are all performed at the Maison’s Geneva and Fleurier production sites. Movement development, finished product design, gold smelting, case stamping and machining, calibre components, traditional hand-crafted finishes, surface treatments, polishing, assembly, adjustments and quality controls: Chopard masters the full range of watch production operations and applies them to each and every L.U.C watch. These exceptional timepieces stemming from meticulous workmanship meet the aspirations of the modern-day gentleman, speaking to him without artifice or pretention, through a subtle blend of artisanal expertise, distinction and emotions.