Chopard pays tribute to Mexican culture with a stunning new interpretation of its L.U.C Full Strike watch, specially designed for All Souls’ Day. This one-of-a-kind piece is crafted in hand-engraved 18-carat ethical gold and showcases intricate miniature marquetry, a testament to Chopard’s artistic mastery. Powered by the L.U.C Calibre 08.01-L, this watch exemplifies Chopard’s expertise in minute repeater mechanisms, a feat that earned it the prestigious “Aiguille d’Or” award at the 2017 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.
For the 11th year, Chopard draws inspiration from the vibrant and life-affirming ‘Día de los Muertos’ festival, reinventing its iconic timepiece with bold design elements. The L.U.C Full Strike echoes the festive sounds of the celebration with its unique minute repeater, combining tradition with innovation. This special edition watch captures the joyful spirit of the occasion while reflecting Chopard’s dedication to both watchmaking excellence and cultural celebration.
Measuring 42.5 by 11.55 millimeters, this timepiece is a visual masterpiece. Its bezel, hand-engraved with motifs inspired by Mexican culture, frames a striking dial that features a detailed calavera (skull) motif. This delicate design, crafted from a blend of opal, carnelian, aventurine, obsidian, and jade, took over 100 hours of meticulous work. The skull’s eye sockets are ingeniously formed by the blackened hammers and power reserve indicators, blending artistry with functionality.
The L.U.C Full Strike is as sophisticated inside as it is out. The L.U.C Calibre 08.01-L, developed in 2016, produces crystal-clear chimes that strike the hours, quarters, and minutes. Its gongs, made from sapphire and integrated seamlessly with the watch glass, ensure unmatched sound quality. This patented design showcases Chopard’s expertise and commitment to horological innovation.
To ensure lasting performance, the L.U.C Full Strike is equipped with a patented strikework-pusher disengagement system. This prevents damage if the pusher is activated while the watch is already chiming. Additionally, the minute repeater’s separate barrel stores enough energy for 12 full soundings, guaranteeing a smooth, uninterrupted sequence of chimes.
Certified with the prestigious Poinçon de Genève, the L.U.C Full Strike embodies Chopard’s commitment to craftsmanship and precision. Each component is meticulously hand-finished, ensuring the highest standards of quality. This hallmark represents a true guarantee of authenticity, validated by an independent body in Geneva.
Since its inception in 1997, the L.U.C collection has stood as a symbol of Chopard’s horological expertise, combining artistic craftsmanship with technical brilliance. The L.U.C Full Strike ‘Día de los Muertos’ edition is a bold continuation of this legacy, merging tradition, innovation, and cultural celebration in one extraordinary timepiece.
L.U.C Full Strike ‘Día de los Muertos’
Case:
- Ethical 18-carat yellow gold
- Total diameter 42.50 mm
- Thickness 11.55 mm
- Crown in 18-carat yellow gold engraved with a calavera 8.80 mm
- Vertical satin-brushed sides
- Bezel in hand-engraved ethical 18-carat yellow gold
- Glare-proofed sapphire crystal
- Hand-engraved polished back
- Exhibition back
Movement:
- Mechanical hand-wound L.U.C 08.01-L
- Number of components 533
- Total diameter 37.20 mm
- Thickness 7.97 mm
- Number of jewels 63
- Frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
- Power reserve 60 hours
- Mainplate and bridges in non-treated nickel silver
- Bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève motif
- Minute repeater
- Chopard-patented monobloc sapphire crystal and gongs
- Chopard-patented variable-inertia balance
- Chopard-patented clutch-lever device serving to block the strikework so as to avoid losing power reserve while information is being picked up
- Chopard-patented dedicated ratchet-driving mechanism serving to avoid pauses during chiming
- Chopard-patented strikework activation device serving to press the pusher whether or not the mechanism is striking, and to do so in normal, slow, continuous or fast mode
- Balance-spring with Phillips terminal curve
- Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark
Dial and hands:
- Dial in 18-carat yellow gold featuring a calavera motif hand-crafted with fine stone marquetry
- Hand-guilloché pattern framing the motif
- Gilded Dauphine fusée-type hours and minutes hands
- Gilded baton-type hands for the movement power-reserve and strikework power-reserve indicator
- Railway-type minute track engraved on the sapphire crystal
Functions:
- Minute repeater striking on monobloc sapphire crystal gongs (Chopard-patented system)
- Central display of the hours and minutes
- Concentric displays of the watch movement and strikework power reserves at 2 o’clock
Strap and clasp:
- Strap in hand-sewn burgundy alligator leather with cognac-toned lining
- Hand-engraved folding clasp in ethical 18-carat yellow gold
