Chopard

Chopard introduced the vertically configured automobile engine inspired L.U.C. Engine One Tourbillon in 2010. At Baselworld 2013, they will launch the horizontally configured L.U.C. Engine One H.

The movement in the new timepiece is essentially the same as what was in the original, but now inside a wide case mounted horizontally as opposed to a long case mounted vertically. The movement, caliber L.U.C 04.02-L, has a few aesthetic improvements, but other than that it is the same. The power reserve is now displayed in a easier to read configuration, and with actual “Full” and “Empty” markings, which makes the automobile theme even more authentic. The case is still in titanium, allow the shape is obviously different, measuring 44.5 mm wide by 35 mm long.

Overall, it appears the new Chopard L.U.C. Engine One H has improved on its predecessor in a number of ways, without really changing the core elements of the watch.

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Chopard recently introduced a limited Mille Migilia GMT Chrono 2012 to commemorate the Mille Migila, a 3-day rally where hundreds of vintage and classic cars race through Italy.

The Mille Migilia GMT Chrono comes in a limited edition of 2,012 in stainless steel and 250 in rose gold. The case is 42.40 mm in diameter by 14.87 thick. The sapphire crystal features an integrated magnifying glass and transferred black 6 and 12 o'clock markings. The dial is black with 3 black snailed hollowed counters and 12, 6 and 9 o'clock. The hour and minute hands and hour markers are treated with Superluminova. Hour indexes are rhodium-plated on the steel version or gold plated for the rose gold version. Central sweep seconds hand rhodium-plated for the steel version or gold-plated for the 18ct rose gold version, tipped with a red arrow. Solid circular grained case back with 1000 Migilia arrow.

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Chopard introduced an experimental high frequency timepiece at Baselworld this year - the L.U.C. 8HF. The new timepiece was developed in Chopard's manufacture in Fleurier, Switzerland and as its name suggests it runs at a frequency of 8Hz. While not the fastest mechanical watch movement on the market, it still is quite fast. A typical self-winding movement runs at (4Hz/28,800 vph), or half of what the L.U.C 01.06-L runs at (8Hz/57,600 vph). For comparison, even the famous high frequency Zenith El Primero movement runs slower at (5Hz/36,000 vph).

What is the benefit of having a higher frequency watch movement?

According to Chopard, "The primary value of high frequency in watchmaking applications lies in a significant improvement in the precision timekeeping properties of a calibre, particularly in terms of rate resumption and stability."

Passing the COSC testing is an important benchmark that the Chopard L.U.C. team has achieved. However, considering the promised benefits of high frequency technology I would think the movement should be able to not only meet, but to actually exceed the COSC performance requirements.

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Chopard announces the new L.U.C Triple Certification Tourbillon, the first watch to bear Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute certificate COSC, Poinçon de Genève and Fleurier Quality Foundation label.

The L.U.C Triple Certification Tourbillon comes in a 43 mm diameter 18k rose gold case. The lugs are polished and satin-brushed and have been designed to ensure enhanced comfort. The crown, engraved with the L.U.C logo, is slim while remaining ergonomic.

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I. Breitling Montbrillant Navitimer

The Breitling Montbrillant Navitimer Caliber 01 is a vintage inspired timepiece that looks like a chronograph from the 1940s or 1950s. The case is downsized 40 mm case, for a more vintage feel. It has the old Breilting "B" logo on the dial. Breitling has fitted this special timepiece with their in-house column-wheel chronograph movement, the Caliber 01.

Retail from $8,540, Breitling

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One of the most unique Chopard L.U.C. timepieces to be introduced this year was the XP Urushi collection. Kiichiro Masumura, a Japanese artist, considered to be a "Living National Treasure" by his country, has supervised the creation of nine unique dials based on Urushi techniques. Urushi is the ancestral Japanese art of lacquering. The varnish is made from the sap of the Urushi tree (lacquer tree), a tree which is mostly found in Japan or China. The harvesting of the resin, somewhat like the rubber from the hevea Brasiliensis or "rubber tree", can only be done once a year and in very small quantities.

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Chopard just delivered 20 pieces of this sporty L.U.C. wristwatch, designed for a special group of Chopard L.U.C. watch collectors club called CronotemVs I. CronotempVs ordered 20 of these to celebrate their first anniversary. Subsequently, there will be one watch ordered per year.

This Chopard L.U.C. Tech Twist DLC "CronotemVs I" is the first L.U.C. timepiece to feature a DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) finish. The DLC finished is fully polished, and is surely great looking, the only caveat may be that this type of finish is a magnet for fingerprints. The movement is rhodium plated in black with yellow writing, which matches the yellow hour numerals and hands. Each piece comes in a beautiful display case that includes sporty cuff links and pen (with cool black rubber tire tread style inserts) and a plaque that says "Chopard Manufacture L.U.C. ChronotemVs I."

Source: ChronotemVs/Kronosclub