Chopard L.U.C Flying T Twin – The First Chopard Flying Tourbillon
With the new L.U.C Flying T Twin, Chopard is unveiling its first calibre equipped with a flying tourbillon. This technically and aesthetically sophisticated timepiece is distinguished by its remarkable charisma: a hand-guilloché gold dial, impeccable proportions and an ultra-thin case in ethically certified “Fairmined” rose gold make it a truly exceptional creation within the L.U.C collection.
This extremely refined 50-piece limited series designed for contemporary gentlemen connoisseurs of Fine Watchmaking is certified by the “Poinçon de Genève” quality hallmark.
While the L.U.C Flying T Twin houses an exceptional movement, it stands out first and foremost for the finesse and refinement of its dial. With a case measuring just 7.2 mm, it is the ideal complement for a Sea Island cotton shirt and a deliberately mismatched baby cashmere jacket. While undeniably chic and elegant, this new model in the L.U.C collection does not confine itself to a purely formal approach, thanks to its colour contrasts mingling the warmth of rose gold with anthracite grey.
Nestling inside its ultra-thin 40 mm-diameter case in 18-carat ethically certified “Fairmined” rose gold is a new calibre developed specifically for this timepiece and rounding off the exhaustive range of complications featured in L.U.C models. It is regulated by a flying tourbillon as well as being automatic, a double first for Chopard.
This chronometer-certified movement also features a stop-seconds device which is extremely rare on a tourbillon and enables perfectly accurate time-setting. Testifying to the fine craftsmanship lavished on the L.U.C Flying T Twin, it also bears the “Poinçon de Genève” quality hallmark.
The flying tourbillon of the L.U.C Flying T Twin timepiece is highlighted through a large-diameter aperture at 6 o’clock providing a view into the movement. The physical and visual lightness of the flying tourbillon is used to create a sense of transparency and depth, directly contributing to the exceptional personality of L.U.C Flying T Twin.
This opening appears in the solid dial hand-guilloché executed by Chopard artisans. A snailed motif appears around the chapter ring, while the central medallion is adorned with a honeycomb motif introduced on the 2017 L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer edition. Symbolising a beehive, it is a nod to the first logo used by Louis-Ulysse Chopard. Finally, the ruthenium grey dial strikes a pleasing contrast with the rose gold hands and hour-markers.
L.U.C Flying T Twin is the first Chopard timepiece to house a flying tourbillon. Entirely developed, produced and assembled in the L.U.C workshops, it is distinguished by the slenderness of its 7.2 mm case. A flying tourbillon is characterised by the absence of an upper bridge and is naturally slimmer due to being supported from underneath. Calibre 96.24-L is just 3.30 mm thick, the same size as the first Chopard Manufacture movement, Calibre 96.01-L, from which it has evolved.
This horological feat in no way modifies any of its fundamental characteristics. Its diameter, its 65-hour power reserve – supplied by two stacked barrels according to Chopard’s patented Twin Technology – and its automatic winding via a 22-carat gold winding rotor are all in place. Nonetheless, the movement has no date so as to preserve the purity of the design and leave ample space for the tourbillon.
The L.U.C Flying T Twin is crafted from a block of ethically certified “Fairmined” gold. It is responsibly sourced from artisanal mining cooperatives, where both the environment and miners are treated correctly, and to which Chopard pays a premium to be reinvested in community projects.
Chopard is currently the main global purchaser of “Fairmined” gold, which the Manufacture reserves for the production of its Grand Complication watch creations – such as the L.U.C Flying T Twin timepiece – as well as some of its Haute Joaillerie models. Since July 2018, the Maison has been using 100% Ethical gold for the production of all its watches and jewellery.
Technical details
Model: Chopard L.U.C Flying T Twin
Ref. 161978-5001- in 18-carat ethically certified “Fairmined” rose gold
50-piece limited edition
Case
18-carat rose gold
Total diameter 40 mm
Thickness 7.20 mm
Water resistance 30 metres
18-carat rose gold crown with L.U.C logo 5.00 mm
Vertical satin-brushed case middle and
Inter-horn spaces
Polished bezel and back
Glare-proofed sapphire crystal
Exhibition back fitted with a transparent sapphire crystal pane
Movement
Mechanical self-winding L.U.C 96.24-L
Number of components 190
Total diameter 27.40 mm
Thickness 3.30 mm
Number of jewels 25
Frequency 25,200 vph (3.5 Hz)
Power reserve 65 hours
Flying tourbillon performing one rotation per minute
Two barrels – Chopard Twin Technology
Winding via an engraved 22-carat gold micro-rotor
Bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève pattern
Balance-spring with flat terminal curve
Chronometer-certified (COSC)
‘Poinçon de Genève’ quality hallmark
Dial and hands
Solid gold dial with grey ruthenium surface achieved by galvanic treatment
Snailed chapter ring with concentric circles
Railway-type minutes track
Applied hour-markers and tourbillon ring gilded with 18-carat rose gold
Central medallion with hand-guilloché honeycomb motif
Gilded Dauphine fusée-type hours and minutes hands
White triangle-shaped small seconds hand affixed to the flying tourbillon carriage
Functions and displays
Central display of the hours and minutes
Small seconds appearing at 6 o’clock on the flying tourbillon carriage
Strap and buckle
Hand-sewn plant-dyed matt black alligator leather strap with cognac-coloured alligator leather lining
18-carat rose gold pin buckle
