Watch Spotlight: Chopard L.U.C. Lunar One

Aug 14, 2012

One of the most poetic models in the prestigious L.U.C collection bearing the initials of the founder Louis-Ulysse Chopard returns decked out in new finery. The L.U.C Lunar One model, a perpetual calendar with an orbital moon-phase display, embraces the line’s new aesthetic featuring generous curves, optimal readability and absolute comfort.

It already caused a sensation at the time of its launch in 2005. While losing nothing of its mechanical excellence, the L.U.C Lunar One has undergone a transformation that ranks it among the great classics of Swiss Haute Horlogerie. The voluptuously rounded 43 mm-diameter case in 18-carat rose gold embraces the new curves of the L.U.C collection. The polished and satin-brushed lugs have been entirely redesigned to ensure enhanced comfort and perfect stylistic equilibrium. The crown, engraved with the L.U.C logo, is slender while remaining perfectly ergonomic. The case-back with its generous glareproofed sapphire crystal central opening is engraved with the inscriptions “Chopard Manufacture”, “Lunar One” and “L.U.C”.

Optimised readability and a peerless movement

To underscore the exceptional technical qualities of this major complication, the dial – silver-toned and satin-brushed to focus the light on the L.U.Chopard legend – reveals subtle refined touches dedicated to enhancing readability. In addition to the personalised gold-toned “Dauphine” style hands, the hours are now displayed as Roman numerals – 1960s inspired delicate golden appliques – framed by a railtrack graduation of a black transferred type similar to the three subdials indicating the small seconds, month and day of the week.

This refined style is matched by a peerless movement. Chronometer-certified by the COSC and stamped with the Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark, the mechanical self-winding L.U.C 96.13-L (L.U.C 96QP) calibre housed within the L.U.C Lunar One model is endowed with an approximately 70-hour power reserve. It drives the hours, minutes, small seconds at 6 o’clock, a perpetual calendar with large twin-aperture date display at 12 o’clock, days of the week and 24-hour indication at 9 o’clock, as well as months and leap years at 3 o’clock.

A one-day difference every 122 years

The moon phases are displayed with great precision and in an unusual manner, since they rotate around the small seconds axis, hence the name “orbital”. Their degree of precision is such that the difference between two lunar cycles amounts to a mere 57.2 seconds, meaning one day in 122 years! Only the most reputed watch manufacturers are able to offer such sophisticated horological complications.

The L.U.C Lunar One is designed to match the evolution in the criteria governing the granting of the Poinçon de Genève hallmark, which as of 2012 no longer merely set the seal of approval on the craftsmanship of the movement alone, but now on that of the watch as a whole. Water-resistant to 50 metres, it is fitted with a new semi-matt or matt black hand-sewn alligator leather strap featuring a cognac-coloured alligator leather lining and secured by an 18-carat rose gold pin buckle.

Chopard L.U.C. Lunar One Watch Specifications

Case:
• 18 ct rose gold
• Total diameter: 43.00 mm
• Thickness: 11.47 mm
• Water resistance: 50 m
• 18ct rose gold crown with L.U.C logo: 6.50 mm
• Glareproofed sapphire crystal
• Exhibition back

Movement:
• Mechanical self-winding: L.U.C 96.13-L
• Diameter: 33.00 mm
• Thickness: 6.00 mm
• Number of jewels: 32
• Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
• Power reserve: 70 hours
• Bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève motif
• Chronometer-certified by the COSC
• Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark

Dial and hands:
• Silver-toned satin-brushed dial
• Gold-toned hour-markers as well as hour, minute, day and month, and small seconds hands
• Blue triangles for day/night and year indications

Functions and displays:
• Central display of the hours and minutes
• Small seconds at 6 o’clock
• Large date at 12 o’clock
• Perpetual calendar
• Moon phase

Strap and buckle:
• Semi-matt brown or matt black hand-sewn alligator leather strap with cognac-coloured alligator leather lining
• 18ct rose gold pin buckle

Ref. 161927-5001 – In 18ct rose gold
Ref. 161927-1001 – In 18ct white gold

King Jewelers is an authorized dealer for Chopard watches in Middle Tennessee and South Florida, as well as over forty luxury Swiss watch brands including Bell & Ross, Breguet, Cartier, Chanel, DeWitt, Harry Winston, Hublot, Jaquet Droz, Montblanc, and Roger Dubuis. King Jewelers is a member of the American Watch Guild and has been named a Leading Watch Retailer in North America by International Wristwatch Magazine. King Jewelers also offers expert watch repair and watch restoration at their retail locations in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN. For more information on Chopard watches, please visit www.chopard.com or take a look at our Chopard page.

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