WORLDTEMPUS - 21 March 2010
Elizabeth Doerr
A pocket watch, but also a more contemporary timekeeper, the L.U.C Louis-Ulysse – The Tribute model houses a brand-new proprietary movement manufactured by Chopard's watchmakers with an 80-hour power reserve and the crown at 12 o'clock; it is intended for use by the students of the Geneva Watchmaking School to assist them in creating the “school piece” that marks the culmination of their studies. Caliber L.U.C EHG is a C.O.S.C.-certified chronometer and bears the prestigious Seal of Geneva. This manually wound movement for the local watchmaking school represents both Chopard's support for training and apprentices and its tribute to the city of Geneva, which has housed the brand since 1937.
The unique “cradle” system this timepiece utilizes to metamorphose from wristwatch to pocket watch and back originates in a patent filed for special lugs designed by Karl Scheufele, the German owner of Eszeha who bought Chopard in 1963. Based on this idea, Chopard Manufacture developed the L.U.C Louis Ulysse – The Tribute, a timepiece that can be transformed in one swift move using Scheufele's system.
Housed in a generous 49.6 mm white gold case framing a lacquered ceramic dial inspired by a historical model, this timepiece comes in a limited edition of 150 in honor of Chopard's 150th anniversary.
