A brand new timepiece launched by Chopard this year, the L.U.C XPS 35mm Esprit de Fleurier set with diamonds and intended for women, boasts a subtle mother-of-pearl blue dial, while its Manufacture-made movement is adorned with fleurisanne engraving, an almost extinct artistic craft.
Viewed from the front, the diamond-set 18-carat white gold bezel delicately frames a mottled blue mother-of-pearl dial bearing hour-markers graced with brilliant-cut diamonds.
The Chopard L.U.C XPS 35mm Esprit de Fleurier watch model is teamed with a matching blue alligator leather strap. An exhibition case-back reveals the beauty and delicacy of the Manufacture movement entirely decorated with fleurisanne engravings.
A speciality of the village of Fleurier that has been home to Chopard Manufacture since 1996, fleurisanne engraving is a now almost extinct art that contributed to the reputation of local 19th century watchmakers and to the appeal of their timepieces that spread as far as China.
This highly distinctive technique is notably distinguished by its motifs carved in high relief. The engraver cuts away the surrounding metal to leave the pattern he wishes to make stand out. The raised surface is then engraved with a scrolling pattern known as ‘volutes’ or with flowers, and polished to achieve a shiny effect.
The background is hammer-stippled to give it a grainy effect. This extremely demanding skill requires the artisan to devote considerable time to this process and to display absolute technical mastery.
Eager to revive and ensure the future of this ancient craft, Chopard has trained expert hands in-house in order to perpetuate this traditional form of engraving that played such a key role in making the village of Fleurier known far and wide.
Housing a twin-barrel self-winding movement with a 65-hour power reserve inside an ultra-thin 7.10 mm case is no mean feat. The master-watchmakers of Chopard Manufacture have accomplished this by means of a clever micro-rotor construction that highlights the beauty of L.U.C Calibre 96.23-L which may be admired through the exhibition case-back.
The L.U.C XPS 35 mm models are certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), a guarantee of precision greatly prized by Chopard and which adds to the many other intrinsic qualities of these exceptional timepieces.
Technical details
Model: Chopard L.U.C XPS 35mm Esprit de Fleurier
Ref. 131968-1002
Edition
25-piece limited edition
Exclusive to Chopard boutiques
Case
18ct white gold
Total diameter: 35 mm
Thickness: 7.10 mm
Water resistance: 30 metres
18ct white gold crown with L.U.C logo: 5.00 mm
Diamond-set bezel
Glare proof sapphire crystal
Exhibition back
Movement
Self-winding movement L.U.C 96.23-L
Total diameter : 27.40 mm
Thickness: 3.30 mm
Number of jewels: 29
Frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 65 hours
2 barrels – Twin® technology
Chronometer certified (COSC)
Fleurisanne engravings
Dial and hands
Mottled blue mother-of-pearl dial
Diamond-set hour-markers
Rhodiumed Dauphine hours and minutes hands
Rhodiumed small seconds hand
Functions and displays
Central display of the hours and minutes
Small seconds at 6 o’clock
Strap and buckle
Hand-sewn blue alligator leather strap
18ct white gold pin buckle