The watchmaking house of Chopard is celebrating its 20-year anniversary. Therefore, the Swiss manufacturer has decided to shake up the classic codes of complicated Haute Horlogerie by unveiling the all-steel chronometer-certified perpetual calendar timepiece named Chopard L.U.C Perpetual Twin.
The impeccable novelty provides an entirely new approach to the perpetual calendar ensuring maximum legibility. As you can see on the image above, there is a flagship complication of the L.U.C collection – a large twin-aperture date window which is positioned at the 12 o’clock position, whereas the days and months each have their own dedicated outsized counters. Furthermore, the year indication has been miniaturized and offset to the months dial. Also, the February indication location shows whether or not the year is a leap year.
The silver-toned dial also features other characteristics typical for this collection, such as large and raised polished Roman numerals as hour markers which run around the rim, and there is a recognizable sunburst motif which radiates from the L.U.Chopard logo.
The beating heart of the L.U.C Perpetual Twin is an excellent new caliber L.U.C 96.51-L which despite some shortcomings, such as the lack of moonphase complication, or the fact that micro rotor is not gold, still represents an amazing self-winding movement.
The new mechanism is finished in accordance with the highest aesthetic standards and features hand-beveled parts which are on their surfaces either circular-grained or decorated with a Côtes de Genève pattern.
Based on the micro-rotor technique coupled with two barrels (patented Twin technology), the impeccable caliber is capable to supply the watch with no less than 58 hours of power reserve when fully wound. The 27 jewels movement oscillates at the frequency of 28,800 alternations per hour (4 Hz). The outstanding quality of the newly developed mechanism and its chronometric rating precision is confirmed by the COSC certification.
Chopard L.U.C Perpetual Twin watch is housed in a round stainless steel case measuring 43mm in diameter and 11.47mm in thickness. The case features alternating matt and polished finishes which create a delightful shimmering effect. On the right side of the watch there is a screw-down crown with L.U.C logo on its tip. The case is shielded with glare-proofed sapphire crystals and rated as water resistant to 30 meters (approximately 100 feet).
The back view shows the inner beauty of the watch through the exhibition case back.
The new L.U.C Perpetual Twin watch (ref. 168561-3001) comes with a hand-sewn black alligator leather strap, with alligator leather lining, ending with a steel pin buckle.