Making its first showcase at this year’s Watches and Wonders, the L.U.C 1860 from Chopard was a quick hit among press and enthusiasts. Taking inspiration from a timepiece that made its own debut in 1997, the newest rendition of the L.U.C 1860 sports an elegant salmon-colored dial and Lucent Steel case. The original model has gained renown over the past decade, now expressing Chopard’s approach to classic watchmaking and contemporary innovation in a dynamic way.
For the exterior of the novelty, Chopard opts for a moderate 36.5mm case made from Lucent Steel. This is the first time the brand has clad the L.U.C collection in Lucent Steel, which according to the brand is a steel alloy endowed with properties comparable to those of surgical steel. It is 80% composed of recycled elements and has been used in Chopard’s other designs since 2019, expressing the brand’s ongoing commitment to responsible luxury. Its notched crown is also steel and is engraved with the L.U.C logo. On the reverse is an exhibition case back, all together offering a water resistance of 30 meters.
The dial comes to life in a warm salmon hue with a hand-guilloché central medallion and a saturn-brushed chapter ring extending around it. White gold chevron style hour markers are around the outside of the dial aside from the 6 o’clock indicator, which is replaced with a snailed small seconds counter. Ticking above the dial are white gold Dauphine hours and minutes hands and a baton small seconds hand. On the periphery of the dial is a distinct minute track marked by two finely engraved guilloché rings.
Ticking inside the watch is the mechanical self-winding caliber L.U.C 96.40-L. It features Chopard Twin technology and winds via a micro-rotor made from engraved ethical 22-carat gold. Visible through the sapphire case back are the meticulous finishings, like the bridges adorned with a Côtes de Genève motif. The chronometer-certified mechanism beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph and offers a power reserve of 65 hours.
The Chopard L.U.C 1860 retails for $23,200.
To learn more, visit Chopard here.