The Chopard L.U.C XPS Twist QF Fairmined was launched this year as a limited edition of 250 pieces and has a host of features that set it apart as a special timepiece. Functionally, Chopard’s L.U.C models are among those subjected to some of the toughest homologation tests in the watch industry. To earn the Qualité Fleurier Seal that is discreetly seen on the dial, the entire watch – meaning the movement and all other components – has to be produced entirely in Switzerland. It also has to achieve chronometer certification. Then it has to pass the rigorous Chronofiable test, involving three weeks of simulated ageing. As if that wasn’t enough, the final hurdle involves a simulation of 24 hours of wearing on the specially developed Fleuritest machine, during which the watch must maintain an accuracy of between 0 and +5 seconds per day (which is tougher than the chronometer standard). Only 3,000 watches have been awarded this certification in the 10 year history of the independent Qualité Fleurier foundation.
But Chopard also exceeds expectations in terms of the watch’s aesthetics, using Fairmined gold for the watch case. The Fairmined label ensures that gold is extracted responsibly by small mining communities with respect for the environment, with buyers paying a premium over the regular gold price, which is subsequently reinvested into the local community. This worthwhile initiative, in which Chopard is a pioneer in the watch industry, required a completely separate production process to be set up to ensure that the Fairmined gold is never mixed with any other gold alloys and that even the waste is collected separately.
The ethical precious metal case houses a unique blue dial with a galvanic treatment and an original arrangement with an off-centred small seconds hand at 7 o’clock and an off-set crown at 4 o’clock – perfectly placed to highlight the applied red-gold Arabic “16” that singles this watch out as a unique piece. This is confirmed by a special engraving on the case back, which also has a sapphire crystal aperture revealing the L.U.C 96.09-L calibre that passed all those tests. Using Chopard’s trademarked Twin® technology, this self-winding movement with a 22-carat gold micro rotor offers a power reserve of 65 hours. But this high-performance movement is just 3.30mm thick and thus allows for an ultra-slim 7.20mm case to make this unique piece an extremely elegant watch.
The Chopard L.U.C XPS Twist QF Fairmined unique piece is available exclusively from WorldTempus at ., complete with a Reuge Satori mechanical music box worth 990 Swiss francs as a special gift.
Anyone interested in purchasing this unique watch should send an email to WorldTempus’s director, Brice Lechevalier (brice.lechevalier@worldtempus.com), co-creator of this one-of-a-kind model and your personal contact for all requests.
