The Bold, High-Tech Chopard Zagato Lab One Concept

Since Chopard‘s and Zagato‘s first collaboration in 2013 with the Mille Miglia Zagato Chronograph, followed by the 2019 Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Zagato 100th Anniversary Edition, the two family-run brands have used watchmaking to express automotive culture. With the Zagato Lab One Concept, Chopard takes that collaboration further, delivering a true concept watch focused on structure, lightness, and engineering over convention. Developed in close collaboration between Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Chopard’s design and movement teams, and Andrea Michele Zagato with chief designer Norihiko Harada, the Zagato Lab One Concept draws from motorsport construction principles. Like a concept car, it is exploring what is technically possible. 

The 42mm case is built around a tubular architecture inspired by a racing-car chassis, distributing mechanical stress through a rigid yet lightweight framework. Made from ceramicised titanium, the case is exceptionally robust with minimal mass, weighing just 43.2 grams, including the strap. This electroplasma-treated titanium reaches a hardness of around 1000 Vickers, offering ceramic-like scratch resistance while retaining titanium’s low density. Instead of traditional lugs, self-locking tubular loops pivot up to 45 degrees, allowing the watch to fit the wrist naturally. A box-shaped sapphire crystal, flush with the caseband, adds the concept-car aesthetic.

The dial is fully integrated into the movement. The ceramicised titanium mainplate doubles as the display surface and is decorated with Zagato’s signature “Z”, machined in relief and finished with rhodium-plated chamfers. Openworked hands, inspired by steering wheels, underline the motorsport theme, enforced by the fuel gauge-style power reserve at 12 o’clock.

Powering the watch is the hand-wound L.U.C 04.04-L calibre, an evolution of Chopard’s Engine One concept introduced in 2010. Executed in ceramicised titanium, including the bridges and mainplate, the movement offers lightness and chronometer-certified precision. A 60-second tourbillon at 6 o’clock uses an aluminium carriage to reduce mass further, while shock protection is ensured via silent-block elastomer dampers and four lever arms securing the calibre within the case. The movement runs at 28,800 vibrations/hour and has a 60-hour power reserve.

The Zagato Lab One Concept is delivered with two straps: a technical fabric strap with hook-and-loop fastening, and a calfskin leather strap with a ceramicised titanium pin buckle for a more classic look. Produced as a 19-piece limited edition in ceramicised titanium, the watch is available exclusively through Chopard and is priced at CHF 130,000. For more details, visit chopard.com.