By Osheen Arakelian
The Chopard L.U.C 8HF was met with rave reviews at the time of its launch in 2012. It housed the fantastic L.U.C 01.06-L, the first every movement with a high frequency escapement to be chronometer-certified by the COSC. Here before us today, is the L.U.C 8HF Power Control model, a beautiful mix of technicality and aesthetics.
Several years in the making, the engineers and watchmakers from Chopard have succeeded in perfecting a high frequency mechanical movement. Beating at 8Hz, or 57,600 vibrations per hour, the Chopard L.U.C 8HF Power Control is here with a bang. The primary value of high frequency watchmaking applications lie in a significant improvement in the precise timekeeping properties of a calibre, most importantly the rate resumption and stability. A higher number of vibrations of the balance mean less sensitivity to disturbances, and that’s where Chopard’s technological breakthrough is such a great success. It’s been fully certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), which is considered a token of excellent precision and reliability (A title not easily handed around).
The new L.U.C 8HF Power Control has even greater character and technical sophistication thanks to a new design that’s been developed specifically for this timepiece. With an already impressive new movement, Chopard has decided to push the boundaries even further by incorporating various silicon components on the escapement including the impulse-pin, lever and escape wheel, all of which are currently patent pending. The 42mm case is finished in high-grade black machined ceramic that also required a brand new redesign by the engineers at Chopard in order to keep the ceramic material as strong as possible while maintaining the same style and sophistication of other timepieces in the range.
The rest of the case is also finished in the same ceramic material including the case-back but with the inclusion of a built-in half-closed sapphire crystal window, positioned just above the high-frequency escapement, providing a chance to admire the beautiful movement tucked within the case. In keeping with the ceramic black look of the timepiece, the dial is also finished in a similar style; sunburst satin-brushed black with the date in a pointer-type display between 5 and 6 o’clock. Also on the dial is a beautiful power-reserve indicator generated by a single barrel, between 9 and 11 o’clock and given the high-frequency escapement, the 60-hour power reserve the mechanism holds is another great feat of engineering.
Finished off with a hand-sewn matt black alligator leather strap, the new Chopard L.U.C 8HF Power Control is a feat of engineering and a great addition to the L.U.C range of timepieces from Chopard. For more info, please visit chopard.com
Osheen Arakelian – Contributing Editor
Drawing on a lifelong love of horology and a more recent introduction to appreciation of fine whisky, Osheen brought the two together with watch & whisky. He is proprietor of the site, which covers everything related to watches and whisky. In between completing a degree in commercial law and supporting a rich social life, he is out and about attending all the latest watch and whisky events Sydney has to offer. His passion has also taken him around Australia attending a number of events and he hopes to continue his career in the watch industry on a more serious level after he graduates. Read his articles here.
