Greater Heights

Displaying its savoir faire in everything from artistic crafts to watchmaking techniques, Chopard sent out a slew of new timepieces at the recent Baselworld.

- Lydianne Yap

IT IS A well-acknowledged fact that the minute repeater is among the most difficult complications to produce, requiring impeccable technical expertise. So when Swiss watchmaker Chopard released its very first minute repeating watch late last year, the L.U.C Full Strike, the horological community understandably took note. For one, the piece featured gongs that were machined from solid synthetic sapphire (instead of the more typical hardened steel), giving it a beautifully clear acoustic quality.

Naturally, all eyes continued to be trained on the manufacture as it rolled out its novelties for 2017 at Basel world in March — and it didn’t disappoint. Headlining the lot was, of course, the acclaimed L.U.C collection. Inspired by and named after the brand’s founder LouisUlysse Chopard, the range is known for its highly technical timepieces that showcase the manufacture’s savoir faire. First launched in 2005 featuring the brand’s very first perpetual calendar, the L.U.C Lunar One has been updated with a contemporary aesthetic. The watch is presented in a 950 platinum case and displays a new deep blue sunray pattern on its dial, radiating from the logo positioned at 12 o’clock. Its perpetual calendar indications are highlighted by bevelled rims, with fonts in white for better readability. Powered by the calibre 96.13-L, the timepiece features a moon phase indicator so highly precise that it will take 122 years to accumulate a one-day time lag. Only 100 units will be released.