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CHOPARD Superfast Watches - a Retrospective and Prospective Look

CHOPARD Superfast Watches - a Retrospective and Prospective Look

Chopard has long been associated with vintage automotive sports like the Mille Miglia Race since 1988 and the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique since 2002.

For both those events, there are serial collections of eponymous watches, equipped with 3rd party COSC qualified movements.

In 2011, Chopard introduced a new name into the sportive watch firmament - the Superfast line - with references to classic racing but in a contemporary case design.

They started with a "bridging" model that had both old and new design motifs so the vintage Mille Miglia aficionados were not too frightened and the contemporary fans were captivated.

2011: Classic Racing Superfast Chrono Split Seconds

Everything about this timepiece is reminiscent of motor sports. Chronometer-certified by the COSC, its split-second chronograph movement enabling measurement of intermediate or “split” times makes it an indispensable dashboard instrument for all aficionados of fine mechanisms.

The Classic Racing Superfast Chrono Split Seconds evokes the distinctive world of period car races, starting with the famous Dunlop Racing strap featuring a design reflecting the tread of the eponymous 1960s racing tyres. It is made of natural rubber and fitted with a folding clasp. The dial evokes the counters on vintage racing cars, while the minute markers on the flange are reminiscent of the numerals adorning the rev counters and speedometers.

Every detail of this model – including the tiny racing steering-wheel in DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) blackened steel appearing on the rubber-moulded screw-locked crown, the grooves engraved on the sides of the lugs, as well as the cooling vents and the Allen screws on the bezel inspired by those used on wheel rims – represents another reference to venerable competition.

There is a solid caseback with fin-like engraving containing the COSC certified Lajoux-Perret 8721 movement.
 

Case

·      DLC (diamond like carbon) blackened steel 
·      Total diameter     45.00 mm
·      Thickness            15.38 mm
·      Water resistance 100 metres
·      Black rubber-moulded crown in DLC blackened steel with steering-wheel logo
·      Glareproofed sapphire crystal
·      Case-back with Superfast Split Second engraving
·      Steel bezel with tachometer secured by 8 visible screws

Movement

·      Mechanical self-winding chronograph
·      Total diameter      30.40 mm
·      Number of jewels  27
·      Power reserve      42 hours
·      1 barrel
·      Frequency             28,800 vph
·      Chronometer-certified (COSC)

 Dial and hands

·         Black dial
·         Superluminova-enhanced metallic black hour and minute hands and hour-markers
·         Red sweep-second hand with arrow tip
·         White split-second hand with arrow tip
·         Red pointers on hour and minute counters
·         Rhodiumed pointers on seconds and date subdials

Functions and displays

·         Central hour and minute display
·         Small seconds at 9 o’clock
·         Chronograph
·         Split-second
·         30-minute counter at 12 o’clock, 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock
·         Pointer-type date display at 3 o’clock
·         Tachymeter

Strap and buckle

·         Black rubber strap (1960s Dunlop Racing tyre-read motif)
·         Black polished steel folding clasp

Ref. 168542-3001 – 1,000-piece limited edition.

With the establishment of the new Fleurier Ebauches factory, Chopard now has the increased capacity to produce in-house movements.   The new movements found their way into a new watch Collection.

2012: CHOPARD Classic Racing Superfast Collection added 3 rose gold watches to the stable

The Classic Racing collection, encompassing models inspired by the world of car racing, was enriched with three superlative watches heralding a new era for Chopard. The Superfast Automatic, Superfast Power Control and Superfast Chrono were the first watches in this iconic collection to be equipped with Chopard movements entirely designed, developed and assembled in-house, in the Fleurier Ebauches workshops.

These three new Superfast models carry a number of references to the world of competitive car racing, starting with the dial of each, displaying silver brushed vertical lines against a black background evoking the cooling fins found on air-cooled racing engines.

On the inner bezel ring of the new Superfast watches, the minute numerals adopt the appearance of the markers that adorn sports-car rev-counters and speedometers. The hour, minute and seconds counters provide the legibility required in tense situations.

Openworked bridges for original finishing

Even the movements have been specially prepared. All the bridges are openworked with thin parallel lines in the style of cooling vents on sports cars – an unusual finish which allows the inner workings of the movement to be tirelessly admired through the transparent case-back.

Slick tyre motif

Chopard was now confident enough to give the Superfast Collection its own design motifs and the new slick tyre motif of the rubber straps testify to this. The straps are also integrated into the lugs for a sleek low profile.

Superfast Automatic

Displaying hours, minutes and seconds, as well as the date through a window at 6 o’clock, the new Superfast Automatic is equipped with self-winding Chopard Calibre 01.01-M, a movement entirely designed, developed and produced in Chopard’s Fleurier Ebauches workshops. This calibre is chronometer-certified by the COSC and has a comfortable 60-hour power reserve. Its 41 mm-diameter case in 18-carat rose gold is water-resistant to 100 metres.

Case:
•    18ct rose gold
•    Total diameter      41.00 mm
•    Thickness             11.3 mm
•    Water resistance  100 metres
•    Black rubber-moulded 18ct rose gold crown with steering-wheel logo
•    Glare-proofed sapphire crystal
•    Open caseback
•    18ct rose gold bezel secured by 8 visible screws

Dial and hands:
•    Black dial with vertical anthracite stripes
•    Superluminova-coated gold-toned hour and minute hands and hour-markers
•    Red power second hand

Functions and displays:
•    Central hour, minute and second display
•    Date window at 6 o’clock

Strap and buckle:
•    Black rubber strap (slick tyre-thread motif)
•    18ct rose gold folding clasp

Ref. 161290-5001 – In 18ct rose gold


 

Movement:
•    Mechanical self-winding Chopard 01.01-M
•    Total diameter       28.8 mm
•    Number of jewels  31 rubies
•    Power reserve       60 hours
•    Frequency             28,800 vph (4Hz)
•    Chronometer-certified (COSC)

Superfast Power Control

Another variation on this exceptional movement also drives the Superfast Power Control model. This evolved version named Chopard Calibre 01.02-M offers a range of functions comprising hours, minutes, small seconds at 6 o’clock, the date through a window at 3 o’clock, and a power-reserve indicator in a sector-type display at 9 o’clock. The even more imposing 18-carat rose gold case boasts a generous 45 mm diameter.

Case:
•    18ct rose gold
•    Total diameter      45.00 mm
•    Thickness             12.4 mm
•    Water resistance  100 metres
•    Black rubber-moulded 18ct rose gold crown with steering-wheel logo
•    Glare-proofed sapphire crystal
•    Open caseback
•    18ct rose gold bezel secured by 8 visible screws

Dial and hands:
•    Black dial with vertical anthracite stripes and white power reserve indicator
•    Superluminova-coated gold-toned hour and minute hands and hour-markers
•    Gold-toned small second hand
•    Red power reserve indicator hand

Functions and displays:
•    Central hour and minute display
•    Small seconds at 6 o’clock
•    Power reserve indicator at 9 o’clock
•    Date window at 3 o’clock

Strap and buckle:
•    Black rubber strap (slick tyre-thread motif)
•    18ct rose gold folding clasp

Ref. 161291-5001 – In 18ct rose gold

Movement:
•    Mechanical self-winding Chopard 01.02-M
•    Total diameter       28.8 mm
•    Number of jewels  37 rubies
•    Power reserve       60 hours
•    Frequency             28,800 vph (4Hz)
•    Chronometer-certified (COSC)

Superfast Chrono

Equally powerful and equipped with a 45 mm-diameter case, the Superfast Chrono houses Chopard Calibre 03.05-M, a mechanical self-winding movement powering hours, minutes, small seconds at 6 o’clock, a window-type date display between 4 and 5 o’clock, a tachometric scale engraved on the bezel, and a chronograph with sweep seconds hand, minute counter at 3 o’clock and hour counter at 9 o’clock.

Case:
•    18ct rose gold
•    Total diameter      45.00 mm
•    Thickness             15.18 mm
•    Water resistance  100 metres
•    Black rubber-moulded 18ct rose gold crown with steering-wheel logo
•    Black rubber-moulded 18ct rose gold pushers
•    Glare-proofed sapphire crystal
•    Open caseback
•    18ct rose gold bezel secured by 8 visible screws

Dial and hands:
•    Black dial with vertical anthracite stripes
•    Superluminova-coated gold-toned hour and minute hands and hour-markers
•    Gold-toned small second hand
•    Red sweep-second hand with arrow tip
•    Red hour and minute counters hands

Functions and displays:
•    Central hour and minute display
•    Small seconds at 6 o’clock
•    Date window at 4.30
•    Chronograph with central sweep-second, 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, 12-hour counter at 9 o’clock
•    Flyback
•    Tachymeter

Strap and buckle:
•    Black rubber strap (slick tyre-thread motif)
•    18ct rose gold folding clasp

Ref. 161284-5001 – In 18ct rose gold

 

Movement:
•    Mechanical self-winding chronograph Chopard 03.05-M
•    Total diameter        28.8 mm
•    Number of jewels   45 rubies
•    Power reserve        60 hours
•    Frequency              28,800 vph (4Hz)
•    Chronometer-certified (COSC)

2013: CHOPARD Classic Racing Superfast Collection added 3 stainless steel watches to the stable

The technical details are the same as for the 2012 gold models except the new cases are in steel.
 

Superfast Automatic Ref. 168536-3001 – In Steel

Chopard 01.01-M

Superfast Power Control Ref. 168537-3001 – In Steel
 

Chopard 01.02-M

Superfast Chrono Ref. 168535-3001 – In Steel

Chopard 03.05-M

Steel Superfast watches are more in keeping with the sporty racing automobile theme. The steel being polished with two textures, open fenestrated movement plates, darkened components, black dial and 'redline' highlights: all meld with the theme.

Although the stark contrast between rose gold and black can be persuasive from competitors like Audemars Piguet and Hublot, somehow we don't see that many rose gold sports cars.

2014: CHOPARD Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Edition

As part of its collaboration with Porsche Motorsport as Official Timing Partner, Chopard presented the Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Edition dedicated to the new Porsche 919 Hybrid.

This sophisticated COSC chronometer-certified flyback chronograph, picking up the design codes of the racing car, is issued in a 919-piece limited edition.

This imposingly-sized chronograph with its 45 mm-diameter case and flyback function beats to the pace of a mechanical Chopard 03.05-M calibre, chronometer-certified by the COSC.

This ‘engine’ and its oscillating weight may be admired through a sapphire crystal engraved with the inscription “Official Timing Partner Porsche Motorsport”.

Chopard 03.05-M movement

Inspired by the new Porsche 919 Hybrid, the stripes on the dial evoke the racing car’s rear diffuser .

Likewise, the “919” appearing in a red rectangle inside a 9 o’clock subdial is identical to the number of the Porsche racing cars.

Finally, the rubber strap is inspired by slick tyres serving to negotiate bends at extremely high speeds.

Case:
• Stainless steel
• Total diameter      45.00 mm
• Thickness             15.18 mm
• Water resistance  100 metres
• Screw-locked crown with black rubber-clad steering wheel motif
• Glare-proofed sapphire crystal
• Open case-back bearing engraved “Official Timing Partner Porsche Motorsport” inscription
• Steel bezel with tachometric scale secured by eight PVD blackened steel screws

Movement:
• Mechanical self-winding chronograph Chopard 03.05-M
• Total diameter       28.8 mm
• Number of jewels  45 jewels
• Power reserve       60 hours
• Frequency             28,800 vph
• Chronometer-certified (COSC)

Dial and hands:
• Opaline silver-toned dial with red inner bezel ring transfers
• “919” logo in the 9 o’clock counter
• Metallic black hour and minute hands and hour-markers, enhanced with Super-Luminova
• Arrow-tipped red sweep-seconds hand
• Red hour and minute counter hands
• Metallic black seconds counter hand

Functions and displays:
• Central display of the hours, minutes and seconds
• Small seconds at 6 o’clock
• Date window between 4 and 5 o’clock
• Chronograph: seconds with flyback function, 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, 12-hour counter at 9 o’clock
• Tachymetric scale

Strap and clasp:
• Black rubber strap (slick tyre tread motif)
• Polished steel folding clasp

Ref. 168535-3002 – 919 pieces limited edition.

PROSPECTIVE LOOK

What next?  That is the speculation for 2015 and beyond.

The Porsche 919 drivers were initially issued with the regular steel Superfast Power Control watches before the dedicated CHOPARD Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Edition was developed.

Can we now expect new models inspired by the Posche Motorsport partnership?

Will there be Power Control and simple Automatic versions of the Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 edition?

Or will the focus be on chronographs because of the racing theme?

Finally, the logical next step is a 24-hour chronograph in tribute to the Endurance Races like '24 Heures du Mans'.

Will Chopard use the 3rd party movement from the Chopard Jacky Ickx Collection or develop their own 24-hour chronograph? 

One of the early specification requests for the LUC 1963 Chrono PuristS' Edition was a 24-hour chronograph but that did not fit with the theme of that Collection. Maybe the FIA Endurance Races provide a logical incentive for such a development?

Dr. M. Teillol-Foo 

6th March 2015

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