Chopard L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 'Year of the Dragon’ in White 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 white gold frames a dial in Grand Feu enamel crafted by Chopard Manufacture's enamelling Artisan based on ancestral expertise. 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: Grand Feu enamelling brings to life a supremely pure dragon

At the heart of the case in ethical 18-carat white 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 dial in Grand Feu enamel: a decorative technique cultivated since the 17^th century and now perpetuated by only a handful of master Artisans, including one within Chopard Manufacture. 

The enamelling process involves mixing silica with ground oxides to form coloured powders that are dissolved in water before being delicately applied to the dial in thin layers. Between each application, the dial is fired in a high-temperature kiln for a very specific length of time, as each of these firings jeopardises the balance of the final overall composition. Throughout this process, the Artisan’s intuition and experience are crucial, as shapes and colours gradually emerge under the effect of the heat. This brings to life the blue dragon with touches of incandescent red against the immaculate white background of the dial adorning this new L.U.C Quattro Spirit ‘Year of the Dragon’ inspired by remarkable Chinese porcelain. 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 blue salmon leather matching the dial and 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: 161977-1002

Limited edition of 8 pieces

Case

• Material: Ethical 18-carat white gold
• Diameter: 40.00 mm
• Thickness: 10.30 mm
• Water-resistant to 50 metres
• Crown in 18-carat white 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

Dial and hands

• Dial in ethical 18-carat white gold – Grand Feu enamel dial with dragon motif
• Rhodium-plated Dauphine fusée minutes hand
• Rhodium-plated baton-type hand

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 blue salmon leather
• Polished and satin-brushed pin buckle in ethical 18-carat white gold

MSRP: EUR 76'800

For more information, please visit chopard.com