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

Earlier this year, at Baselworld 2010, Chopard introduced a very special L.U.C. collection timepiece, the Engine One. The L.U.C. collection consists of beautiful haute horology timepieces. Chopard has actually been creating their own "manufacture" movements since 1996. This movement runs at 28,800 vph, 29 jewels and is COSC chronometer certified. The watch motor is mounted on silent blocks and held by 3 lever-arms inserted into the case middle, much like the way an engine is mounted inside an automobile.

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Representing the vintage version of the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique was created in 1998 to mark the 700th anniversary of the Grimaldi family's accession to the throne of the Principality. Raced along the same route through the streets of Monaco, it is reserved exclusively for classic racing cars, making it unique in its kind. Although initially intended as a one-off event, it created such a stir that its organisers decided to repeat it every two years.

Over the years, the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique has become a favourite meeting place for devotees of classic cars and attracts collectors from around the world, especially the USA, Great Britain, Germany, France and Italy. Every two years, it brings together over 200 vehicles, all of which were legends in their time, including models by Bugatti, Delage, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Maserati and Ferrari, as well as Formula 1 cars built before 1979 by brands such as Brabham, Lotis and Williams.

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In a deliberate departure from the traditional principles of horological design, the L.U.C Engine One Tourbillon houses an exceptional movement designed and made from A to Z at the Chopard Manufacture, machined like an engine block and mounted on silent blocks. To celebrate the brand's 150th anniversary, this mechanical titanium thoroughbred has been produced in a limited series of 150.

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