Chopard L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 'Year of the Dragon’ in Rose Gold

A technical feat presented for the first time on the occasion of Chopard Manufacture's 25^th anniversary, the L.U.C 98.06-L jumping-hour movement equips an exclusive new edition of the L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 timepiece inspired by year of the dragon symbols. In this eight-piece limited series whose quality is certified by the Poinçon de Genève hallmark, the 40 mm-diameter case in ethical 18-carat rose gold frames a dial entirely hand-engraved with a majestic dragon motif. Equipped with the four barrels characterising the exclusive Chopard Quattro technology offering an up to eight-day power reserve, the L.U.C 98.06-L movement places this model among the rare jumping-hour watches endowed with such autonomy.

Inspired by the year of the dragon and its rich symbolism, Chopard Manufacture merges the aesthetic theme of the Chinese zodiac with its jumping-hour watch. The first creature to appear in Chinese myths and legends, the dragon represents imperial authority, wealth and fertility, as well as being a sign of good fortune. Combining tradition and innovation, this exceptional L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 model testifies to the Manufacture's dedication to the art of watchmaking and to celebrating the world's cultures.

Artistic Crafts: a dragon entirely hand-engraved in-house

At the heart of the case in ethical 18-carat rose gold – with its rounded shapes inspired by the hunter-type cases of the pocket watches once designed by Louis-Ulysse Chopard – the Manufacture has placed an exceptional gold dial whose motif is a masterpiece of hand engraving. Resulting from over 100 hours of meticulous craftsmanship, the dragon is depicted according to a tapestry dating from the Qing dynasty, viewed from the front and asserting its imposing, sovereign nature, majestic mane, front paws raised skywards and rear paws skimming the waves. The reliefs carved into the material using traditional burins, burnishers and chisels are highlighted by a patina that gives the dial an antique appearance. The infinitely small surface area of the dial – less than 40 millimetres in diameter and just one millimetre thick – calls for surgical precision. The integration of this Artistic Craft is representative of Chopard Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele’s determination to create – with Chopard Manufacture – a centre of excellence dedicated to perpetuating traditional watchmaking expertise.

Chopard has chosen to pair this watch with a strap in salmon leather, featuring a texture evoking the scales on the dragon’s body.

Innovation: a jumping-hour function with a generous power reserve enabled by Chopard Quattro technology

With its L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 timepiece, Chopard Manufacture presents its interpretation of a horological complication greatly prized by connoisseurs: the jumping hour. The L.U.C 98.06-L movement equipping this limited series is one of the few in this category of watches – which generally consume a great deal of energy – to offer up to eight days of power reserve. Thanks to the four stacked and series-coupled barrels based on the unique Chopard Quattro technology – which usually allows up to 216 hours of autonomy – the L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 maintains a reserve above 190 hours despite the amount of energy required for the instant rotation of the hours disc. This power reserve can be tracked using the indicator engraved on the movement visible through the transparent case-back.

Together, the four barrels comprise almost two metres of spring. In addition to providing a more generous power reserve, they ensure greater accuracy because the energy transmitted is more evenly distributed. The energy delivered to the escapement is more constant, as is the amplitude, thus enabling high levels of chronometric (precision timekeeping) performance.

Visible through an exhibition case-back, this highly complicated mechanical hand-wound movement guarantees reliability and precision within an overall thickness of just 4.85 millimetres. The balance-spring is equipped with a Phillips terminal curve that guarantees the regulating organ’s precision throughout the movement’s operation – a feat of which only authentic Haute Horlogerie Manufactures are capable. It features a swan’s neck regulator enabling more precise timing of the balance frequency and hence the rate of the watch, by helping to fine-tune the active length of the balance-spring. In addition to its technical benefits, this device also endows the calibre with a more sophisticated aesthetic.

Technical specifications

Chopard L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 'Year of the Dragon’

Reference: 161977-1007

Limited edition of 8 pieces

Case

• Material: Ethical 18-carat rose gold
• Diameter: 40.00 mm
• Thickness: 10.30 mm
• Crown in 18-carat rose gold with L.U.C logo: 7.00 mm
• Vertical satin-brushed case-middle and interhorn space
• Polished bezel and case-back
• Glare-proofed sapphire crystal
• Exhibition back
• Water-resistant to 50 metres

Dial and hands

• Dial in ethical 18-carat rose gold engraved with a dragon motif
• Gilded Dauphine fusée minutes hand
• Gilded baton-type hand for the power-reserve indicator

Movement

• Mechanical movement with manual winding L.U.C 98.06-L
• Number of components: 240
• Diameter: 31.80 mm
• Thickness: 4.85 mm
• Number of jewels: 42
• Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
• Power reserve of 192 hours (8 days)
• Jumping hours
• Four barrels – exclusive Chopard Quattro^® technology
• Bridges with Côtes de Genève motif and gilded engravings
• Swan’s neck fine adjustment
• Balance-spring with Phillips terminal curve
• Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark

Functions/Indications

• Instantaneous jumping-hours display in a 6 o’clock aperture
• Pointer-type central display of the minutes
• Power-reserve indicator at 12 o’clock on the back of the watch
• Balance-stop function enabling accurate adjustments of the hour (and the displayed minute)

Strap and buckle

• Hand-sewn strap in burgundy salmon leather
• Polished and satin-brushed pin buckle in ethical 18-carat rose gold

MSRP: EUR 97'200

For more information, please visit chopard.com