L.U.C Tourbillon Only Watch 2013 Edition

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L.U.C Tourbillon Only Watch 2013 Edition - Chopard
For the 2013 edition of Only Watch, Chopard unveils a unique L.U.C Tourbillon model featuring movement bridges adorned with Fleurisanne engraving.

An historical speciality of the village of Fleurier where the Chopard Manufacture has been established since 1996, hand-crafted, “filet” or Fleurisanne engraving is an artistic craft that has almost died out despite a glorious past in which it contributed to the reputation of the watchmakers from this area and the success the watches enjoyed as far afield as China. This art consists of relief-engraving decorative techniques on metal parts, generally gold movement bridges. It does not involve engraving a motif as such but rather sculpting or ‘sparing’ it by hollowing out the material around it so as to make it stand out. The technique calls for total mastery of the tool and an extremely meticulous approach resulting in pieces that are truly unique in that each motif is entirely hand-crafted.

The House of Chopard, which has shown a longstanding commitment to training the next generation of the watch industry, is deeply attached to perpetuating ancient skills, encouraging specialists in its decorative workshops to recapture this engraving technique in order to revive a local tradition. In 2010, Chopard’s 150th anniversary celebrations included the unveiling of the first 15-piece limited series of L.U.C Tourbillon watches featuring bridges adorned with floral motifs.
 

Chopard fleurisanne Engraving

 

For Only Watch 2013, Chopard has used this Fleurisanne engraving technique to personalise the movement of a one-of-a-kind model. This L.U.C Tourbillon Only Watch 2013 Edition is graced with a rhodiumed 18-carat white gold hand-engraved dial bearing the coat-of-arms of the Principality of Monaco surrounded by a DNA molecule – a graphic reminder of the cause to which the Only Watch project is devoted. Clothed in a 43 mm-diameter titanium case with contrasting polished and brushed surfaces, the L.U.C 02.17-L Manufacture movement is also decorated with a DNA molecule on the bridge side, crafted using the Fleurisanne engraving technique.

This timepiece boasts a 9-day power reserve thanks to Chopard’s patented Quattro® technology and is certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). The model is water-resistant to 50 metres and fitted with a matt black hand-sewn alligator leather strap with a cognac-coloured alligator lining.

 

Chopard_LUC Tourbillon Only Wartch 2013 Ref. 161929-9001

 

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