Image credit: Gustavo Kuri
To my mind, Chopard are in the same category of watchmakers as brands like Laurent Ferrier – rarely the first brand to come up in conversation but always spoken of with fondness when they are. Talking about sports watches? The Alpine Eagle is robust and stylish. Talking about chronographs?
The Mille Miglia is up there. Talking about haute horology? The L.U.C Full Strike won the Aiguille d’Or at the 2017 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève for its innovative minute repeater mechanism. The Full Strike is back on our radars in 2024 because at Watches & Wonders Chopard released an updated version with a verdigris dial and ceramicised titanium case, fittingly called the Chopard L.U.C Full Strike Titanium.
There have been several editions of the Full Strike already in gold, platinum, steel and sapphire, but this is the first to be presented in ceramicised titanium. Ceramicised titanium is a type of titanium that has had its surface oxidised using electro-plasma technology, giving it ceramic-like properties. Specifically, it has a dark grey colouration and an increased hardness rating while retaining the useful traits of titanium such as being lightweight and strong.
Macro image credit: Gustavo Kuri
Its use in the Chopard L.U.C Full Strike Titanium, which measures 42.5mm in diameter, gives the case a relatively subtle appearance without the ostentation of some of the previous materials used. Chopard have used this relative subtlety to full effect by giving the watch a much more adventurous dial. It features a verdigris green colour with a frosted finish in the centre, very far from traditional dress watch aesthetic codes.
The result is almost sporty in its execution, especially because the Roman numerals have been replaced with pointed indexes which, along with the open-worked minute repeater hammers, central hands and power reserve indicator, have been given a PVD coating the same colour as the case.
Image credit: Gustavo Kuri
That brings us to the minute repeater complication itself, which is the true focus of the timepiece. It’s part of the calibre L.U.C 08.01-L, a movement with four patented mechanisms integrated into it. Those include elements such as the fact the chiming gongs and sapphire crystal are made from a monobloc piece of sapphire, meaning the entire top surface of the watch functions as the minute repeater’s resonator, creating an incredibly clear sound. Other innovations include a dedicated barrel powering the chiming complication and multiple safety features that protect the repeater when at low power and during activation.
Interestingly, the Chopard L.U.C Full Strike Titanium isn’t the only haute horological timepiece to receive a makeover in green this spring because Jaeger-LeCoultre just announced a green enamel edition of the Grande Tradition Calibre 948 World-Timer. Green was very popular in 2022, is it making a comeback? With the proliferation of sage green, mint and now verdigris… maybe.
Price and Specs:
More details at Chopard.
