Live Pics of the L.U.C.1963 Chrono PuristS Edition

Apr 16, 2014,20:17 PM
 

L.U.C's first manual-winding flyback chronograph, L.U.C 1963 Chronograph, has arrived after their successful launch of the automatic in-house integrated L.U.C ChronoOne in 2006. The new manual version retains all the good attributes of the ChronoOne but with an exposed display of the beautiful calibre and newer case.  Two flyback versions are manufactured, the L.U.C 1963 Chronograph Rose Gold version to commemorate a significant milestone of Chopard - 50 years successful stewardship of Chopard since acquiring in 1963.

“I had always dreamed of making a hand-wound chronograph. This model was programmed ever since we launched the L.U.C. Chrono One in 2006 and this 50th anniversary year was an ideal occasion to unveil it,” said President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele.

Another version (with snapshots in this post) is a special issue of 50 pieces of the steel edition for the PuristS - the L.U.C.1963 Chrono PuristS Edition.  Detailed insight about the development of this steel PuristS Edition was covered by AndrewD, please click here to read.


Some snapshots of a production-piece of the Steel L.U.C.1963 Chrono PuristS Edition ...




Two pictures of with white background (for comparison against darker ambience) for friends with question about the legibility of the dial and hands without luminescent.

Legibility was already thought of since day one of L.U.C pieces with the use dauphine hands.





Steel case in diameter 42mm, same size as the automatic ChronoOne.
Would like it to be smaller like 39 to 41mm, but with the short and quick-drop lug-design, it still sits well on my wrist as seen at the snapshots below.


This caseband is not a straight-forward and easy to manufacture... note the caseband is cambered ( with inspiration from the pocket watches) and because of this, it is not a one piece stamped out case.  The caseband was fabricated first and then brush-polished before the four lugs (individually fabricated and polished too) were accurately attached on by welding.



Clean dial design, with interruption/distraction of the date window. 
Definitely for people like me who dislike wearing glasses (for long-sightedness) and the date could be a pain, most of the time.

No luminescent with this model, both the hands and indexes.  I prefer this approach for a long keeping classic and evergreen piece. 


Note the revised designed "dauphine-fusée" rhodium-plated hands  ... from the stem end, it retains its original dauphine 'faceted' form while conically tapered to the pointing end.
The key is, both the 'faceted' and conical surface will capture and reflect light, thus allowing time readout even in low-light ambience.


Traditional chronograph-pushers with oversize signed crown for easy winding and time-adjustment.

Actuating the pushers, the tactile feel is really good.  Simply creaming and positive, with a light little tink sound.
You will have to try it to understand it.

Flyback function is with pusher at 4H.


Note the light-play on the dual-polished surface and cambered caseband.




Contrasty red running second-hand and sub-dial-hands for easy reading.


Long running chronograph-second hand reaching the minute-track, for accurate and quick read out.


Beautifully exposed COSC certified L.U.C 03.07-L with the signed arena display caseback, beating at 4Hz and a power reserve of 60 hours.


A close up of the contrasting Côtes de Genève decorated nickel silver bridges with the brushed polished levers and column-wheel.


More stringent decorative efforts are put in to qualify for the Poincon De Geneve  seal.

Note the Poincon De Geneva seals were stamped on one of the bridges and engraved on the area display caseback.




Straps are hand-sewn black alligator leather luxuriously lined with cognac-toned alligator leather.


Steel signed buckle also with dual-polishing.






Several wrist-shots of the 42mm embracing a small wrist ...


The short-quick-drop-lugs-design works well to cater for small wrists.

Superb clarity with the double anti-reflective coated sapphire crystal.








President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele with the L.U.C.1963 Chrono PuristS Edition.



What are your thoughts of this L.U.C.1963 Chrono PuristS Edition?



Kong





Related Reads:

1) Development of the L.U.C. 1963 Chrono PuristS Edition

2) Press Release of the L.U.C. 1963 Chrono PuristS Edition






This message has been edited by Kong on 2014-04-22 18:02:09 This message has been edited by MTF on 2014-04-22 18:45:10 This message has been edited by Kong on 2014-05-31 11:20:44

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My thoughts

 
 By: kevster : April 16th, 2014-21:18
Are that this piece is a huge milestone both for Chopard and the Purists. As perfect a design as a group effort of the worlds best minds if you will can get. Bravo

Live pics look good

 
 By: ED209 : April 16th, 2014-21:34
Thanks Kong for these live pics. The finishing on the movement side looks really nice. Regards, ED-209

Looks good.

 
 By: patrick_y : April 17th, 2014-01:01
Thanks for sharing Kong! Knowing L.U.C and Mr. Scheufele, I know this will be a great piece. I'm pleased to read that it does not have a luminous dial.

Marvelous pictures of a spectacular watch ....

 
 By: Marcus Hanke : April 17th, 2014-02:05
.... thank you so much for this treat! I like specifically how the Roman iii and IX are not simply truncated by the subdials, as is so often the case on chronographs, but rather reshaped to conform the subdials. This adds a light spirited "modernism" to t... 

Absolutely stunning. I can't wait to see one in the flesh

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : April 17th, 2014-08:17
I hope one makes it to SoCal for a preview because I would love to see how it feels on the wrist! Great pics Kong! Cheers, Anthony

This watch is amazing!

 
 By: tudorctin : April 17th, 2014-11:24
When is going to be released? Any news about the price? Nice report Kong. And the photos are fantastic! Regards, Constantin

I have news.....

 
 By: MTF : April 18th, 2014-00:14
Dear PuristS We (Andrew H) and me) just attended the premiere public reveal of the LUC 1963 Chronograph HW Purist'S Edition in London on 16 April 2014. Andrew took the photos with his smart phone because I can't find my camera since moving house last mont... 

I think

 
 By: Ares501 - Mr Green : April 17th, 2014-12:01
I need to win lottery...quickly Great piece Kudos to all involved ij realization of this project Sincerely Damjan

I think it is a nice offer. I would have preferred...

 
 By: amanico : April 17th, 2014-12:17
1/ A slightly smaller size... 40 / 41 mm would have been perfect. 2/ A 2 Subdials configuration. All the fine chronographs form a distant past had this 2 subdials configuration, which offers a very elegant look, allure to the whole Watch. 3/ More sensuali... 

Gorgeous (nt) [nt]

 
 By: timctang : April 17th, 2014-12:18

Very thorough report with great photos - as usual.

 
 By: MichaelC : April 17th, 2014-13:26
Kong, terrific post here! I definitely like the watch. Looks great on your wrist. I agree with Nicolas' comment about only having 2 subdials, which I think would be more congruent with the decision to not use luminous materials on a classic watch. To be a... 

Love it......

 
 By: big daddy : May 8th, 2014-17:02