The perpetual calendar chronograph is a neat concept because it can measure intervals of time that range from the smallest feasible for a mechanical watch, an eighth or sixth of a second, right through to the four years of the leap-year cycle. The combination of these two classic complications creates complex, expensive watches. Only a…
The L.U.C XPS Twist QF Fairmined by Chopard is a watch that shows a lot of thought “out of the box.” The designers have succeeded in creating something totally different to anything else on the market by means of an unusual stamped sunburst effect, with a spiral pattern that justifies the name chosen for the…
The new Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph is made in two versions, for men and women, with two dial sizes and different colours. They all have a movement that is not made in-house, but in any case COSC-certified. They are lower-cost versions of the spectacular Chopard Mille Miglia Classic XL, and they share a lot…
This year’s Mille Miglia 2017 Race Edition by Chopard is, like last year’s model, a celebration of motor racing. The dial has an engine-turned dial finish, and counters inspired by vintage car dashboards. The case has automotive-inspired pushers, and an unmistakable rubber strap that looks just like a tyre. The solid caseback hides a Valjoux…
The Mille Miglia Classic XL by Chopard is a very cool chronograph, one of the finest of the year. For several reasons. It’s a limited edition, just 90 pieces. It has a logical dial. There are not many chronographs with this degree of clarity. On a pure white background, all the scales are perfectly functional…
The new versions of the L.U.C XPS by Chopard are dress watches with a modern style. Four versions give today’s gentleman the possibility of selecting his preferred look, which ranges from the most classical gold with silvered dial, to the now popular blue-dial trend. The four models have different prices, ranging from €7,790 for the…
The L.U.C Perpetual Chrono by Chopard is a watch that the brand already had in its range, with versions in white and pink gold with dark grey dial released last year. For 2017, a new limited edition in platinum has been presented, with an on-trend blue dial. Why is blue so popular? It has dominated…
Tonneau cases are a classic in the category of “shape watches” and the L.U.C Heritage Grand Cru by Chopard is a fine example, though a little different from most tonneaus. It is almost as wide as it is high, with a case that is a very wearable size at 38.5 x 38.8 mm. Comfort is…
The L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer by Chopard is an attractive piece that combines discretion and flamboyance. Discretion, because the silver-coloured case and dial are in solid gold, the dial has a sophisticated, minimalist design, and the caseback at first sight is solid. Flamboyance, because when you take off the watch and press the crown, the…
The L.U.C Lunar One by Chopard was first presented in 2005 in gold-cased versions. This year, 2017, a new limited-edition version in platinum has been presented. A perpetual calendar with astronomical moon phase display, it is one of the watches at the top of the Chopard L.U.C range and has a platinum case. The new…
The new Happy Sport watches released by Chopard for summer 2017 are women’s watches that demonstrate some of the major trends in contemporary timepieces. Quartz movements make things easy for their users, at least until the battery runs out. Previous versions of Happy Sport already had interchangeable straps, and this user-friendly characteristic is enhanced by…
Baselworld is an enormous show, and this year it ran for a week starting from 23 March. The major trends emerging from the stands were a confirmation of the popularity of blue dials, the rise of sports watches – pieces with some features of diving watches but intended for everyday use – a move towards…
Sports watches were one of the dominant themes at Baselworld 2017: the sort of watches that borrow some features of diving watches but are intended more for general use than specifically for diving. They generally have the water resistance of diver’s watches, enabling them to be kept on while swimming, diving, or just hiking in…
Chopard are on a roll. The Ferdinand Berthoud FB1 Chronometer recently won the top prize at the 2016 “watch Oscars” GPHG (Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève). Ferdinand Berthoud is a brand wholly owned by Chopard, created to celebrate the work of the like-named 18th-century watchmaker. At the 2016 Middle East Watch of the Year Prize,…
Just 17 watches. The Chopard Superfast Porsche Motorsport 919 Limited Victory Edition is similar in concept to the Chopard Mille Miglia 2016 XL Race Edition, with the same movement. It has a more elaborate design, with a rose gold bezel, and as a result it costs about €4,000 more. It celebrates the Porsche Motorsport team…
The Grand Prix de Monaco is held every two years and sees vintage racing cars competing on the Monaco Formula 1 circuit. Every two years since 2002, Chopard has been the sponsor and timekeeper for the event, and has presented a limited-edition watch celebrating the race. The Chopard Grand Prix de Monaco Historique 2016 Race…
The Chopard L.U.C XP 35 mm Esprit de Fleurier Peony is a limited-edition watch for women, with a dial in Tahitian mother-of-pearl, and a movement decorated with Fleurisanne engraving. Inside, the L.U.C 96.23-L calibre is very slim, contributing to the watch’s graceful lines. It is a new version of the Esprit de Fleurier launched in…
With the Imperiale Joaillerie, Chopard demonstrates its dual identity as watchmakers and jewellers. The watch has a self-winding mechanical movement, enclosed in a case set with 581 sapphires, for a total of 47.98 carats, and requiring over 1,000 hours selecting, cutting and setting the gems. The rainbow setting is stunning, with colours running right through…
The L.U.C Perpetual Chrono by Chopard combines two complications, flyback chronograph and perpetual calendar. Its looks are dominated by the orbital moon phase display with its blue background, contrasting with the dark grey ruthenium-plated dial. The continuous seconds hand is on the moon phase subdial. The two subdials above are nicely organized to show two…
The L.U.C Perpetual Twin by Chopard is a chronometer-certified perpetual calendar in steel. It has a logical and legible dial layout. The Twin in the name refers to the twin barrels connected in series providing a 58-hour power reserve. The stainless steel case is 43 mm in diameter, 11.47 mm thick, with the standard 3…