Chopard

Live Pics of the L.U.C Tourbillon Tech Twist with the Silicon escapement

Sep 28, 2008,02:05 AM

To access the Press Release, please click here .

This precious piece of prototype was sold on Friday 26 Sept, at the President's Challenge Charity for SGD220,000 (USD154,000).

Mr. Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Chopard Co-President, has been wearing this UNIQUE piece since the Basel2008 to test the watch in actual wearing condifion. During this 6-month-time-frame, the watch was closely monitored for its performance. The engineers measured and tracked the parameters weekly.

Does it look familiar ?

It is actually the previous Tourbillon SL with a TWIST and a different escape-wheel and lever are in silicon or silicium (in Latin).

Compare it with the next picture.

L.U.C Tourbillon SL with unplated bridges. ( to read the previous post about SL, please click here )

The changes are the movement was rotated by 30 degree clockwise, with the crown at 4'o clock position instead, providing it a new name, L.U.C Tourbillon Tech Twist.

Though the code 'SL' is absent, it is still using the super-light aluminium cage, and this carriage is PVD coated to provide the contrasting appearance.

Picture from the left, the weight of an empty cage / carriage) and the other picture is showing the 'Super Light 'cage with escapement.

After PVD, the weight could just be increased by 0.1g, which will be about 0.40g, 33% lighter than a steel carriage.

The L.U.C 4TBSTSi (Quattro Tourbillon Black Superlight Twist Silicon) with the Silicon escapement (green in colour).
The beat rate is 28,800 VPH, 4 Hz..

This watch is the stepping stone for L.U.C to acheive the higher-beat later to 10Hz . L.U.C is targeting end of next year to have the tested working prototype ready.

A closer look...the patented Variner (Variable Inertia) Balance (with no adjustment screws sticking from the circumference) in front of he escapement wheel (in green) colour.

A higer magification....

The caseback engraved with 'PIECE UNIQUE' and the Singapore F1 Grand Prix , First Night Race.

During this period, many watches (from other brands) were launched or publicized, commemorating the first night race in the world. I think only this L.U.C is the only watch that engraved with the word "F1" on its case. The rests of the brands marked with just 'Singapore GP". I understand, may need to pay for the rights to use the word 'F1' if used on merchandise.

A side perspective with the signed L.U.C crown. This crown is slightly different from the rest of the L.U.C models.

Observed carefully, the L.U.C logo is placed inside another rectangle. This external rectangular has a functional purpose with the usage of the crank.

This is the crank (also known the W.A.S - Winding Assistance System) designed to assist fast winding the long 9-day--power reserve Quattro manual movement.

Many guessed it was inspired by vintage automobiles. However, the idea was from sailing boat.

This is how the crank is mounted onto the crown. To wind, simply turn the crank in a clockwise direction.

A few more pictures of the the W.A.S - Winding Assistance System......

The black rectangular-centre piece of the crank will engage slightly into the external rectangle (surrounding the L.U.C logo) on the crown. It is some sort of grip for the crank to turn the crown.

To release the crank from the crown, just press-in the crank and it will disengage from the crown.

A side view.

Mr. Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Chopard Co-President

According to Mr.Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, he explores silicium (or any new alternative materials) solely for its functional technical superiority. He mentioned besides the lubrication elimination factor, the siliium escapement is suitable to for fast-beat. With fast beat, it is easier to regulate the watch for more accurate time-keeping but fast beat movement tends to take up energy. With the good foresight and strong foundation of the L.U.C, the Quattro calibre was designed (with 4 barrels providing large power reserve of 216 hours) to synergize with the new fast-beat development.

Kong