By Jovan Krstevski
When it comes to a Chopard, we’re talking about nothing but style, in fact, let’s round it to the ultimate blend of subtlety and distinction. Plenty of flattering words for what’s really a fine watch with utmost personality or simply said a gentleman’s watch. So without further ado, here is the L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer with all the bells and whistles of a Chopard timepiece. It comes in white gold bearing both COSC and “Poinçon de Genève” certifications, what a rush.
This remarkable watch has interesting origins to boot. Would you believe me if I tell you that the brand has so much fascination about bees? Well just look at the watch and you’ll know what I mean. Technically you’ll find bee-inspired designs on the dial and the case too and this is because in its early days until the 1920s, the brand laid claim to the symbolism represented by bees. Then in 1996, the Chopard Manufacture was created wherein Karl-Friedrich Scheufele chose to associate this imagery with certain models of the L.U.C collection that also served as a tribute to the company founder. Now that’s an interesting history.
The new L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer sports a 40mm 18-carat white gold case. I like its vertical satin-brushed flanks and inter-horn space which offer very nice details. Its distinction is also marked by its polished bezel and caseback. The caseback is where personalization takes place since you can use it to engrave whatever you like. Its sophistication and subtlety are superb since you just need to press the crown to open the back cover where a sapphire crystal greets you offering a glance to the movement underneath the watch. It uses a special hinge design where it opens and holds at exact 90 degrees angle. Fun fact, inside the back cover where the hand-engraving of beehive and bees is found, the bees appear in a random fashion, therefore, each watch is unique in this way.
As for its gold dial well it’s made in solid gold with galvanic silvered treatment. I tell you, it’s clarity is supreme complete with L.U.C traditions like a hand-guilloché honeycomb motif on the central part. The dial’s outer section is sunburst satin-brushed, looks very nice plus I dig the small finely grooved seconds.
Note that the same motif also appears on the caseback cover in an enlarged version. This design pays tribute to the two key landmarks in the history of Chopard, the first being the creation of the first watch made by Chopard Manufacture, the L.U.C 1860 and the second marks the founding of the Maison by Louis-Ulysse Chopard.
Powering the L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer is the ultra-slim mechanical self-winding L.U.C 96.01-L calibre. It sports the highest standards of a Chopard Manufacture bearing the “Poinçon de Genève” quality hallmark which is of course what you pay for when you buy one of these watches. Of course, for us, it simply translates to the highest quality and excellence we’re all looking for in a timepiece. The 65-hour power reserve of the L.U.C Calibre 96.01-L is the result of many advance technologies particularly from its engraved micro-rotor in 22-carat gold whose high inertia is optimized for efficiency.
Moreover, the L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer, limited to 100 pieces, comes on a hand-sewn brown alligator leather strap with alligator lining. It’s 18-carat white gold pin buckle is simply a standard for a Chopard Manufacture.
For more info, please visit chopard.com
