L.U.C Perpetual T – The Mechanical Accomplishment For Aesthetes
Press Release
L.U.C Perpetual T – The Mechanical Accomplishment For Aesthetes
Chopard presents a new eight-piece limited edition of its L.U.C Perpetual T model, crafted in platinum with a diamond-set bezel. The nobility of its horological complication, the richness of its decorations and the discreet sophistication of this horological creation sum up the full range of high standards integral to the legacy of Louis-Ulysse Chopard.
Its tourbillon rubs shoulders with an extremely readable perpetual calendar mingled with extremely refined aesthetics. Chronometer-certified by the COSC and bearing the much-coveted Poinçon de Genève for the quality of its craftsmanship, the L.U.C Perpetual T timepiece is much more than a mere demonstration of watchmaking mastery, instead embodying a distinguished and functional watch designed for daily living.
With the L.U.C Perpetual T, Chopard achieves one of the most prestigious pairings – between a perpetual calendar and a tourbillon – along with more than one week of operating autonomy, thereby firmly cementing the place of this new timepiece among horological aristocracy. In watchmaking, such nobility is acquired by mastery of technical complexity allied with a quest for refined aesthetics.
A perpetual calendar offering optimal readability
Making a perpetual calendar involves both technical and ergonomic issues. Displaying the complete date while taking account of the variable lengths of months and leap years is a constant challenge brilliantly met by Chopard Manufacture with the L.U.C 02.15-L calibre. The L.U.C Perpetual T brings the date to the foreground in the shape of a large twin-aperture date display. At 9 o’clock, the day of the week takes precedence over a day/night indication; while the months share the 3 o’clock space with the cycle of standard of leap years – the latter signalled by a red numeral. Moreover, the quest for ergonomics and thus user-friendliness extends beyond readability. Thanks to the four barrels of the Chopard Quattro technology, the L.U.C Perpetual T has a nine-day power reserve. So as not to overload the dial and preserve the harmony of its simplicity, the power-reserve indicator appears on the reverse side of the watch and can be read through a transparent sapphire crystal case-back.
Certified precision
The tourbillon of the L.U.C Perpetual T timepiece sits enthroned at 6 o’clock, topped by a meticulously polished steel bridge. Its constant rotation around its axis enables the rate of the watch to elude the effects of gravity. Each L.U.C Perpetual T has been successfully subjected to the trials conducted by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute. The COSC tests the rating precision and issues its timekeeping certificate only for watches meeting its demanding criteria. A proof of technical precision recalled by the ‘Chronometer’ inscription appearing on the dial.
Elaborate aesthetics
The black dial of this new solid gold L.U.C Perpetual T watch is adorned with a hand-engraved guilloché motif radiating from the large date and crossing through the hour-markers set with baguette-cut diamonds. The silver-toned counters of the perpetual calendar are also guilloché-worked in order to distinguish between the functions and accentuate the contrasts.
As Chopard is dedicated to both outward and inner beauty, the entire L.U.C Calibre 02.15-L has been meticulously hand-decorated in accordance with the finest Haute Horlogerie traditions. The plates are circular-grained, the screws are polished, the bridges are bevelled and adorned with vertical Côtes de Genève and the jewels are set into gold chatons. These parts are all patiently polished and smoothed down by hand. The quality of these treatments, combined with the specific technical as well as design choices involved in its development, enable the L.U.C Perpetual T timepiece to earn the Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark, one of the most prestigious Swiss watch industry certifications.
The lugs of its 43 mm-diameter case slim down the watch whilst ensuring outstanding comfort on the wrist. The bezel surrounding the dial is daintily set with baguette-set diamonds, a prestigious adornment crowning the onward march of time. A hand-sewn, alligator-lined black alligator leather strap lends the ultimate touch of elegance to this finely crafted model.
The creative approach behind a L.U.C watch consists in a quest for excellence encompassing all aspects of the timepiece. An elegant complication model featuring the precision and the kinematic appeal of the tourbillon, the L.U.C. Perpetual T is made to be admired and worn. Its COSC and Poinçon de Genève certification testify to the high standards governing the production of timepieces from Chopard Manufacture. While naturally rare due to the sheer complexity of crafting it, the L.U.C Perpetual T in platinum is issued in a limited edition that will be exclusively reserved for eight privileged collectors.