In the case of a company endowed with such a wealth of expertise, Chopard's triple jubilee is being celebrated by the presentation of 150 commemorative Haute Joaillerie creations (see Jewellery column on page 86) as well as by a 150-piece limited edition featuring an exceptional design. Entirely developed within Chopard Manufacture, the L.U.C Engine One Tourbillon clearly proclaims its kinship with the automobile world. Fuelled by a passion for motor-racing, its proprietary L.U.C Calibre 1TRM is machined like an engineblock, mounted on shock-abosbers and held by three lever arms inserted into the caseband. This legitimate nod to participants in the famous Mille Miglia detracts nothing from the intrinsic value of this L.U.C movement which is chronometer- certified by the COSC (see also the Architecture feature on page Y which evokes the L.U.C Tech Twist). The original shape of this timepiece is matched by a 12 o'clock power-reserve display directly opposite the tourbillon bridge at 6 o'clock and directly fixed to the upper face of the movement in a circular segment.
How could one fail to evoke the notion of gleaming bodywork when caressing the polished or satin-brushed titanium surfaces of the Engine One case? Even the gently curving lugs are as streamlined as car wings, ensuring impeccable comfort on the wrist that is further accentuated by the handsewn black alligator leather strap enhanced by four reinforcements reminiscent of vintage car seats. In a nutshell, this model is bound to appeal to both motoring and watchmaking enthusiasts – whoever proves fastest off the mark!
Tourbillon L.U.C Engine One
Case: titanium, with glareproof sapphire crystals front and back
Size: 44.4 x 35. 4mm
Water resistance: 50m
Movement: hand-wound, tourbillon (proprietary L.U.C Calibre 1TRM), COSC certified
Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds at 6 o'clock, 60-hour power reserve display at 12 o'clock
Strap: hand-sewn black alligator leather with gadrooned motif, titanium pin buckle
Limited series of 150
