Chopard L.U.C Tourbillon Dragon & L.U.C Flying T Twin Phoenix

Inspired by the year of the dragon and its rich symbolism, Chopard Manufacture merges the legends of the phoenix and the dragon with its expertise in tourbillon movements to present a pair of one-of-a-kind timepieces. For ladies, an ultra-thin L.U.C Flying T Twin model measuring 35 millimetres in diameter, adorned with diamonds and equipped with the innovative L.U.C 96.24-L flying tourbillon movement measuring just 3.30 millimetres thick. For gentlemen, a 43-millimetre L.U.C Tourbillon timepiece in ethical 18-carat rose gold entirely decorated with engravings houses the new L.U.C Calibre 02.21-L: a hand-wound mechanism endowed with a 216-hour power reserve thanks to Chopard Quattro technology. The precision settings of these two movements have been granted chronometer certification. One-of-a-kind models eagerly awaited by collectors, each of these creations boasts a stunning textured dial enhanced with Grand Feu enamel and hand-engraved appliques in a magnificent combination of black and gold.

Adopting a creative approach honouring the Swiss watchmaking Artistic Crafts perpetuated within its Manufacture, Chopard cultivates its expertise in tourbillon movements with this pair of 'His & Hers' watches, whose craftsmanship has been saluted by the Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark. The beauty of artistic mastery meets unparalleled technical genius, in keeping with the L.U.C collection’s philosophy born of Karl-Friedrich Scheufele's desire to perpetuate ancestral skills.

Swiss watchmaking expertise dedicated to an age-old culture

With its open mindset, Chopard Manufacture strives to celebrate cultures from the entire world. The year of the dragon in the Chinese zodiac calendar is the inspiration for the 'His and Hers' watch pair based on the phoenix and the dragon. These are legendary animals with supernatural powers and are charged with high symbolic value. While the dragon – the first creature to appear in Chinese myths and legends – represents imperial authority and wealth, the phoenix is considered the king of birds and symbolises renewal. Their association is an eminent sign of good fortune: as the proverb goes, "when the dragon flies and the phoenix dances, the people are assured of happiness for years to come, and peace and tranquillity are offered to all on Earth".

Richly symbolic dials enhanced by the art of engraving

The L.U.C Flying T Twin Phoenix and L.U.C Tourbillon Dragon dials are inspired by the symbolism of these creatures. Using motifs emblematic of Chinese decorative arts, the back of the dial in 18-carat ethical rose gold is coated in enamel before being lightly laser-textured to create an undulating pattern. The result is a blend of ancient craftsmanship and modern watch finishing techniques.

Traditional Grand Feu enamelling is a technique inherited from the 17^th century, in which an Artisan applies a mixture of silica and crushed oxides interspersed with successive firings in a high-temperature kiln. Combined with the engraved decoration, the enamel creates an elegant backdrop for an applique in ethical 18-carat rose gold. This is entirely hand-engraved with a flying dragon or a phoenix with outstretched wings appearing above the tourbillon carriage positioned at 6 o'clock and bearing the small seconds hand.

Craftsmanship is expressed at the highest level, not only in the aesthetically refined dials, but also in the finishing of the gold case. The bezel, caseband and buckle of the L.U.C Flying T Twin Phoenix model are enhanced with sparkling diamonds, while the surfaces of the L.U.C Tourbillon Dragon timepiece are entirely decorated with elegant hand engravings based on the central theme of the dragon.

Innovative, certified tourbillon movements

Beating beneath these spectacular dials are two no less exceptional movements developed, crafted and adjusted by the Artisans of the Manufacture in accordance with COSC chronometer-certification precision criteria. Embodying the pinnacle of the watchmaking art, the tourbillon is a complication that enhances the precision of the watches it equips and requires fine adjustments that Chopard masters with exemplary skill.

The innovative L.U.C Calibre 96.24-L – Chopard Manufacture's first self-winding movement with a flying tourbillon – is fitted inside the 35 mm-diameter, 7.47 mm-thick case of the L.U.C Flying T Twin Phoenix model. A flying tourbillon is characterised by the absence of an upper bridge. Secured from below, it is naturally slimmer and appears to fly as its name implies. L.U.C Calibre 96.24-L is only 3.30 mm thick, exactly like Chopard Manufacture's first L.U.C 96.01-L movement from which it evolved. This horological achievement does not alter any of its fundamental characteristics: its diameter; its 65-hour power reserve powered by two stacked barrels, using Chopard Twin technology; as well as its automatic winding via a 22-carat gold micro-rotor remain unchanged. The L.U.C 96.24-L movement has a stop-seconds function: an unusual feature on a tourbillon and a personal requirement expressed by Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, whose quest for precision requires time-setting to the exact second.  

The L.U.C Tourbillon Dragon model, measuring 43 millimetres in diameter, houses the L.U.C 02.21-L movement, developed on the basis of the first L.U.C 02.01-L tourbillon calibre launched by Chopard Manufacture in 2003 and from which it has inherited all the technical innovations. This chronometer-certified mechanical hand-wound movement is endowed with a 216-hour power reserve thanks to two sets of two stacked and series-coupled barrels according to Chopard Quattro technology. The power reserve can be consulted on the back of the watch via an indicator located on the movement at 12 o'clock. Beating at a frequency of 28,800 vph, the calibre is equipped with a variable-inertia Variner balance.

The L.U.C collection: horological excellence

In 1997, Chopard Manufacture launched the first watch to emerge from its watchmaking workshops: the L.U.C 1860, equipped with the L.U.C 96.01-L movement. Since then, through the L.U.C collection, it has acquired comprehensive mastery of all the major horological complications. Between Fleurier and Geneva, Chopard Manufacture devises, develops, produces, assembles, decorates and certifies all its timepieces. Thanks to Karl-Friedrich Scheufele's commitment to watchmaking traditions, the Manufacture maintains a high level of finishing by preserving numerous artistic crafts.

Technical specifications

Chopard L.U.C Flying T Twin Phoenix

Reference: 131981-5002

Unique, one-off piece

Case

• Material: Case in ethical 18-carat rose gold set with diamonds 
• Diameter: 35 mm
• Thickness: 7.47 mm
• Crown in ethical 18-carat rose gold set with a diamond: 5 mm
• Bezel and case set with diamonds
• Glare-proofed sapphire crystal
• Exhibition back fitted with a transparent sapphire crystal pane
• Water-resistant to 30 metres

Dial and hands

• Dial in ethical 18-carat rose gold, with textured background coated in black Grand Feu enamel; hand-engraved phoenix in ethical 18-carat rose gold
• Gilded Dauphine fusée-type hours and minutes hands
• White triangle-shaped small seconds hand affixed to the flying tourbillon carriage

Movement

• Mechanical self-winding movement L.U.C 96.24-L
• Winding via a stamped 22-carat gold micro-rotor
• Number of components: 189
• Total diameter: 27.40 mm
• Thickness: 3.30 mm
• Number of jewels: 25
• Frequency: 25,200 vph (3.5 Hz)
• Power reserve of 65 hours
• Two stacked barrels – Chopard Twin Technology
• Flying tourbillon performing one rotation per minute
• Bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève pattern
• Variable-inertia balance
• Balance-spring with flat terminal curve
• Chronometer-certified (COSC)
• Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark

Functions/Indications

• Central display of the hours and minutes
• Small seconds appearing at 6 o’clock on the flying tourbillon carriage
• Stop-seconds function

Strap and buckle

• Burgundy alligator leather strap
• Pin buckle in ethical 18-carat rose gold set with diamonds

MSRP: Price upon request

Technical specifications

Chopard L.U.C Tourbillon Dragon

Reference: 161991-5001

Unique, one-off piece

Case

• Material: Case in ethical 18-carat rose gold
• Diameter: 43 mm
• Thickness: 12.24 mm
• Hand-engraved crown in ethical 18-carat rose gold: 5 mm
• Hand-engraved bezel and case middle
• Glare-proofed sapphire crystal
• Exhibition back fitted with a transparent sapphire crystal pane
• Water-resistant to 30 metres

Dial and hands

• Dial in ethical 18-carat rose gold, with textured background coated in black Grand Feu enamel; hand-engraved dragon in ethical 18-carat rose gold
• Gilded Dauphine fusée-type hours and minutes hands
• White triangle-shaped small seconds hand affixed to the flying tourbillon carriage

Movement

• Mechanical hand-wound movement L.U.C 02.21-L
• Number of components: 227
• Diameter: 29.70 mm
• Thickness: 6 mm
• Number of jewels: 32
• Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
• Power reserve of 216 hours
• Four barrels – Chopard Quattro Technology
• Tourbillon performing one rotation per minute
• Bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève pattern
• Variable-inertia Variner balance
• Balance-spring with Phillips terminal curve
• Chronometer-certified (COSC)
• Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark

Functions/Indications

• Central display of the hours and minutes
• Small seconds appearing at 6 o’clock on the flying tourbillon carriage
• Power-reserve indicator at 12 o’clock on the bridge side

Strap and buckle

• Black alligator leather strap
• Pin buckle in ethical 18-carat rose gold set with diamonds

MSRP: Price upon request

For more information, please visit chopard.com