Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860 Limited Edition for the 20th Anniversary of L.U.C Collection (specs & price)

As you may know, at Chopard, there are two distinct collections of watches, which differentiate regarding the level of finishing and complication of the movements. The first one is the classical range, with watches like the Chopard Mille Miglia, yet with in-house movements but not hand-finished. Then you have the Chopard L.U.C Collection, with high-end watches, superbly finished movement and complicated display, like the Chopard L.U.C Regulator or the Chopard L.U.C XPS in Fairmined Gold. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of this collection, Chopard is about to introduce a limited edition, the L.U.C XPS 1860.

This new Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860 Limited Edition is based on the traditional, yet highly elegant XPS, a ultra-thin dress watch with small second. This watch is nothing striking, visually speaking. It is round, very clean and rather small. Right, but on the other hand is shows a superb elegance on the wrist and can be seen as a very good definition of a tuxedo watch. Something else defines this watch; its in-house, automatic, micro-rotor-equipped movement. Rare enough to be mentioned – and nice enough to be seen as a haute horlogerie calibre.

The Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860 Limited Edition (1860 refers to the date Louis-Ulysse Chopard created the Brand) is in fact a re-edition of the very first L.U.C watch introduced in 1996 – and the first watch entirely produced and manufactured by the Chopard Manufacture and thus, the first with an in-house movement. Both watches share a lot of similarities, in terms of design first. The case, in 18k pink gold, measures 40mm x 7.20mm and still uses a classical, slim shape. However, it has been modernized and perceived quality has been improved by using a vertical brushing on the case band.

The dial of the Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860 Limited Edition, manufactured in solid gold, also pays tribute to the 1996 edition, with a similar design. The central part is hand-guilloché (engine-turned) with a radiating wave pattern and solid gold indexes are applied. The hands are more modern and bolder than before. One difference with the other watches of the XPS collection – but something that was featured on the 1996 edition – is the date located at 6. We’re not going to debate on the relevance of this date feature, in terms of design and elegance. But let’s agree on its practicality.

The latest common point with the 1996 is the presence of the Calibre 96.01-L in this Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860 Limited Edition. Both watches share this in-house movement, which was the first of its kind for Chopard. This calibre sets apart because of its thinness (3.30mm), its automatic winding via a 22k gold rotor and its long power reserve of 65 hours, due to the double-barrel (Twin Technology). Its finishing is extremely pleasant, with continuous Geneva Stripes, hand-chamfered and polished bridges, fine circular graining and polished screw-heads. This nice finish is attested by the presence of the Hallmark of Geneva on this edition – and its precision will also be guaranteed, as COSC certified.

The Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860 Limited Edition will be made in 250 pieces, priced at 19,950 Euros (inc. taxes). www.chopard.com.