Kong[Moderator]
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A Relook Review of the Chopard L.U.C Lunar Twin
Mar 11, 2014,07:42 AM
L.U.Chopard (L.U.C) Lunar Twin -
from the name, would expect something of two/dual. Besides its
Twin-barrel technology, it is able to display the moonphase for both
Northern and Southern Hemispheres at the same time. It may not be
unique for year 2014, with quite a few companies exhibiting moonphase
models during the SIHH and coming Basel. Just that the Chopard L.U.C Lunar Twin, is
ahead of its time by two years, launched in 2012.
Placing
the moonphase at 1H is kind of uncommon amount the various moonphase
watches in the market, which typically placed at 6H. It is more logical
to have the moon on top, as we always look up to view it at night, an
association of having the moonphase at top of the dial-layout. As for
asymetrical dial placement, I guessed it could be simulating the lunar
orbital plane, with has about 5°9' inclination of Orbit to Ecliptic.
The main draw of this model is legibility of the moonphase, date with clean, uncluttered dial in a classical design.
The L.U.C Lunar Twin comes in two precious metal cases - either 18K white gold or rose gold.
Case diameter is at a comfortable 40mm by 9.97mm height.
Clean dial layout and appear to be bigger than 40mm due to the thin bezel design.
Rhodiumed hands are beautifully crafted polished dauphine-hands, which demand
extreme care to produce, as any blemish will be easily observed by a
change in the surface reflection.
The silver-toned dial is sunburst satin-brushed, with 'rays' radiating out from the L.U. Chopard logo.
Moonphase
for the North Hemisphere is directly read out from the silver-frosted
moon motif, whereas for Southern Hemisphere, the current moonphase is
indicated by the silver-arrow.
The duration between two identical phases of the moon is called a
month or
known as a synodic revolution which amounts to 29 days, 12 hours, 44
minutes and 2.8
seconds, and according to L.U.C, its ultra-precise 135 teeth wheel
driving the moon-bearing disc would differ just one day every 122
years, between the mechanism and the actual lunar cycle ( if keep
running).
Applied highly polished Roman numerals.
The depth of the date-window is a bit deep, but date could be easily read out when viewed directly above it.
The signed 6.50mm diameter crown is of 18K white gold.
The sapphire crystal is slightly cambered and anti-reflective coated to reduce glare.
Above picture, showing the quick-moonphase adjuster at 9H.
The 18K white gold case is also dual-polished with contrasting gloss-finish and brush-finishing on the side of the caseband.
L.U.C
Calibre 96.21-L is automatic winding with 22K gold micro-rotor. COSC
certified and beautifully decorated with 'Cotes de Geneve" patterns and
perlage on both sides of the bridges and platine,
L.U.C
96.21-L is with its Twin technology, a Chopard-patented system staking
two coaxial barrels providing power reserve of 65 hours at 4Hz..
Straps are both sides alligator skins hand-stitched with a solid 18K gold pin buckle.
Lastly,
moonphase lovers, I wonder what or how you actually use your moonphase
or simply have it on your wrist to marvel the fascinated mechanism ?
Kong
This message has been edited by MTF on 2014-03-13 17:17:20