Chopard L.U.C XP II Sarto Kiton (Live Pics & Price)

Chopard has partnered with the famous luxury Neapolitan tailor Kiton to create a limited edition of its ultra-thin L.U.C XP II models. The partnership between a watchmaker and a tailor is not as far-fetched as it sounds; both rely on highly skilled artisans, both have a profound respect for tradition, and both pursue refined finishes, comfort and longevity in their products. For the new L.U.C XP II Sarto Kiton dress watches, the dial is attired with a traditional houndstooth pattern, and the strap is made from cashmere.

Sartorial elegance

Partnerships between watchmakers and luxury fashion brands are on the rise.  We’ve seen partnerships between watchmakers and shoemakers (Jaeger-LeCoultre and Christian Louboutin or Hublot and Berluti), watchmakers and tailors (Hublot and Sartoria Rubinacci) and even watchmakers and top-of-the-line jean makers (Oris Momotaro).

Chopard’s latest partnership is with the renowned Italian tailor Kiton where every single item (suits, jackets, trousers, shirts, etc.) is handmade. Founded by Ciro Paone in 1967 in Naples, Kiton relies on 350 expert tailors whose experienced hands craft the brand’s elegant, understated designs.  Not a single machine can be heard in the workshop where the rarest and most precious materials, like vicuña or Escorial wool, are transformed into sober and timeless apparel for men.

Dark, slim and handsome

With its 40mm diameter and ultra-thin height of 7.20mm, the proportions of the case respond to a contemporary dress watch size. For the record, last year Chopard released the L.U.C XP, a model with identical specs to this Sarto Kiton model, but with a blue Merino wool strap. The dark sartorial look of the Sarto Kiton is achieved with the DLC-coated steel case with its matte bead-blasted finish.

Following suit, the dial is also dark but reveals a subtle black and grey houndstooth pattern with a lacquered finish. Houndstooth has become a favourite motif at Kiton after acquiring the wardrobe of King Edward VIII at auction – the king who abdicated and was renowned for his dapper style and elegance.

Four gilded Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock, along with gilded hour markers contrast with the black and grey houndstooth pattern on the dial. As a dress watch, there is no trace of lume, and the dauphine-style hands are also gilded to match the hour markers. The red dot, placed just above 6 o’clock, is Kiton’s logo. This dash of bright red, typical of Italian sprezzatura, is echoed on the quarter-hour indications and the topstitching on the strap. The strap is made entirely by hand, a blend of soft Mongolian cashmere, wool and flannel, with a dash of elastane for comfort and a bright red alligator leather lining. The pin buckle matches the case in DLC-coated steel.

Ultra-thin Calibre 96.53-L

The dark-tinted glass of the caseback reveals the in-house L.U.C 96.53-L calibre, an ultra-thin automatic that is just 3.3mm thick. Endowed with Chopard Twin Technology, the lean movement is equipped with twin barrels for a sturdy 58-hour power reserve. It is wound by a tungsten micro-rotor and features Côtes de Genève finishes on the movement bridges.

Availability and price

The L.U.C XP II Sarto Kiron is a limited edition of 100 pieces and retails for EUR 10,800. For more information, please visit chopard.com.