Even though Chopard built its reputation with classical-styled models of luxury watches, the company has lately started producing interesting new products with a radical design. The Chopard L.U.C, launched for the 150th anniversary of the brand, is certainly one of those new modern wristwatches. The latest and unique model of this watch that is constructed specially for the Only Watch 2011 charity auction is even more atypical. With its modern style, a reminiscent of a sports car engine, and the attractive and brave choice of colors (yellow and black), this watch is bound to attract a lot of attention at the auction.
Dynimically-styled, Chopard Engine One Tourbillon Watch is not just about the looks, it is also a great example of improved watch-making technology. It includes an in-house developed and built rhodium-plated hand-wound Caliber L.U.C 1TRMB movement with 29 jewels. The mechanical movement sports a fausses cotes decoration, and includes advanced characteristics such as a one-minute tourbillon regulator with 3 curved-arm cage and a self-compensating Breguet balance spring. For extra safety, Chopard included a shock absorber. It is also worth noting that the tourbillon movement features the frequency of 28,800 vph and has a power reserve of 60 hours. The movement is 34 mm long, 25.9 mm wide and 5.6 mm thick.
A Power Reserve Indicator and a Tourbillon Aperture Grace the Dial
The sporty, yet luxury Chopard L.U.C Engine One Tourbillon is set in a three-body titanium case with a DLC coating. The rectangular sculpted case is 35.4 mm wide, 44 mm long, 10.9 mm thick, and includes an engraved case back. The crown sports the L.U.C logo, whereas the glass is a glare-proof sapphire.
The face of Engine One Tourbillon timepiece that resembles an engine block will please all watch enthusiasts who enjoy modern designs. The dial sports decorative vertical stripes, distinctive yellow Arabic numerals that look really nice in combination with its dart-shaped indexes and matching black and yellow dauphine-shaped hands.
Furthermore, the brand’s signature sits at the left side of the dial. The neat power reserve indicator (that resembles a gas indicator of a car) is placed at the top, whereas the aperture for the tourbillon and for the seconds rests at the six o’clock position.
The sports car theme is also quite noticeable when you look at the strap of the watch. Chopard has included a hand-sewn black leather strap with a yellow stitching, which looks like a seat of a racing car. A buckle that fastens the strap is, just like the case, constructed of DLC titanium. Besides, this engine-styled watch is water resistant to 50 meters.
