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“L.U.C Chrono One” chronograph (ref. 16/1916)

“L.U.C Chrono One” chronograph (ref. 16/1916)
“L.U.C 10 CF” calibre
Three Patents Pending

The chronograph is one of the most sophisticated horological complications. To mark the tenth anniversary of its creation, Chopard Manufacture wished to demonstrate its perfect mastery of Haute Horlogerie by creating the “L.U.C Chrono One” chronograph.

This timepiece, which meets the demanding standards of Haute Horlogerie, is in line with a tradition of extremely upscale mechanisms, including column wheel, Fly-Back function, automatic winding and a lengthy power reserve. Created and developed in record time, the “L.U.C Chrono One” chronograph has given rise to the filing of three patents, thereby proving that Chopard Manufacture specialists have opted for technical solutions well off the beaten track, while also demonstrating that, despite its youthfulness, Chopard Manufacture is indeed part of the highly exclusive club of companies capable of creating exceptional horological mechanisms.

The project for the “L.U.C 10 CF” movement with “integrated chronograph” was first launched in April 2005. It was originally called GT3. Why so? Simply because things had to move very fast, and since Mr. Karl-Friedrich Scheufele is passionate about fast cars and is especially fond of Porsches, he had the idea of naming this project after a model from the German manufacturer.

 By the end of June 2006, 16,000 hours of research and development had been devoted to this project by a team of 25 people working full time in the two technical departments of the Fleurier and Geneva sites.

Innovative performances

The result is a self-winding double-pusher chronograph, with two pushers handling chronograph start, stop and reset, as well as fly-back function and small seconds reset on demand.

The winding-stem serves to manually wind the movement when pushed in, to perform fast date adjustments when pulled out to the first notch and to set the time with a balance stop seconds mechanism when pulled out to the second notch.

   The “L.U.C 10 CF” Calibre       

Caging diameter:                       28.00 (mm), or 12 1/2 (lignes)
Total diameter:                          28.80 (mm)
Total thickness:                          7.60 (mm)
Winding:                                   self-winding in both directions
Number of jewels:                      45
Frequency:                                 4 (Hz), or 28,800 (vph)
Barrel:                                       One
Angle of lift of  balance:              49°
Balance-spring:                          Flat
Balance:                                    Variable inertia, Variner®
Moment of inertia of balance:      11 mg cm_
Escapement:                              lever type
Escape-wheel device:                  Rubifix
Balance anti-shock device:           Kif
Guaranteed power-reserve:         60 (h) minimum
Chronograph:                            column-wheel
Coupling:                                  vertical
Minute counter:                          semi-instantaneous
Hour counter:                            dragging
Functions:                                 fly-back, stop seconds, small seconds reset
Stop seconds function                 on the balance

Specific features of the Chronograph

  « L.U.C Chrono One »

The “L.U.C 10 CF” integrated chronograph movement is a double-pusher column-wheel chronograph worthy of what one would expect from a high-end chronograph.

One pusher (at 2 o’clock) performs the start and stop functions, while the other (at 4 o’clock) resets the chronograph as well as resetting the small seconds of the movement if the wearer so wishes.

The “start-stop” function is done by means of clamps operating in conjunction with vertical coupling.

The vertical coupling of the L.U.C 10 CF means the start/stop functions can be performed without any variations in amplitude, thereby maintaining the regulating performances of the sprung balance.

The reset function operates by a lever that pivots three supple hammers, enabling optimal reset of the three counter hands (patent pending). Moreover, it is complemented by a Fly-Back function, meaning that the chronograph may be reset at any time while it is running by activating a single pusher.

The L.U.C 10 CF chronograph movement  features a “small seconds reset” function, combined with a movement stop mechanism. This is useful when the owner wants to set the precise time by resetting the small seconds. By means of the chronograph reset pusher at 4 o’clock, when the winding-stem is in the time-setting position, this operation enables perfect synchronisation of the minute and seconds hands (patent pending).

The 30-minute counter is semi-instantaneous.

The 12-hour counter is semi-instantaneous in terms of its function, but dragging for read-off.

The date is semi-instantaneous and appears through a dial window.

Fast date adjustment allows the wearer to make a one-day correction per half-turn of the winding-stem.

The regulating organ comprises a balance-cock with two points of support, thereby ensuring optimal stability.

A Variner balance with a high moment of inertia ensures a precise rate in order to successfully pass the COSC tests and earn the title of “Chronometer”.

The self-winding mechanism ensures winding in both rotation directions of the oscillating weight. It comprises a unidirectional gearing device (patent pending). This system avoids loses of energy and guarantees optimal winding speed.

The central oscillating weight is pivoted on a ceramic ball-bearing mechanism.

Case

Material:                                                     White gold

Construction:                                              Round, three-part

                                                                 Open case-back secured with screws

Dimensions:                                                Diameter 42 mm

                                                                 Thickness 14.23 mm

                                                                  Inter-horn width: 22mm

Special features:                                           Crown with L.U.C logo

                                                                  Rectangular-shaped pusher

                                                                  Glare-resistant sapphire crystal

Water resistance:                                          30 metres

Dial

Metal and sapphire crystal

Hands

Hours and minutes: Superluminova

Strap

Leather: Black alligator

Clasp

Folding: Polished white gold

Distinctive characteristics of the “L.U.C Chrono One” chronograph

• This “L.U.C Chrono One” also has the advantage of offering an over 60-hour power reserve. This enables the owner to slip off his watch at 6 pm on a Friday evening and to find it still running smoothly at 6 am on Monday morning.

• The prime quality of a watch is its readability. The “L.U.C Chrono One” is no exception to this rule, since the counters at 9 and 3 o’clock have been slightly offset towards the upper part of the dial. They are thus larger and distinctly more legible.

Finally, the “L.U.C Chrono One” Concept Watch issued for the tenth anniversary of Chopard Manufacture in Fleurier, has been crafted in a limited numbered edition of 100 white gold watches. In terms of the movement, it is a pre-series ("0" series) crafted by hand prior to industrial production. As such, these watches are of particular interest to collectors!

Photo Copyright Chopard & Cie, 2007.

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