The Chopard L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 Jumping Hour

We, at MONOCHROME, see hundreds of watches a year, and I’m no exception to the rule. And of course, we all have our preferences regarding which watches we believe are special. Case in point today, as I had been eager to be able to get my hands on this new L.U.C watch since it was announced during the 2021 edition of Watches & Wonders. The Chopard L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 was well worth the wait. Standing out with clear graphics and elegant minimalism, the first jumping hour watch within the Chopard collections indicates the hours in digital format via an aperture in its pure white Grand Feu enamel dial. Let’s take a closer look.

Alongside its impeccable watchmaking credentials, the singularity of the L.U.C collection lies in a distinctive perception of elegance. Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard, has always given the watches of this collection an understated, elegant twist. Released on the occasion of the 25^th anniversary of the Chopard Manufacture, the beautifully executed L.U.C Jumping Hour perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the collection. 

The Chopard L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 is presented in a classic round case fashioned out of ethically sourced 18k rose gold – the new norm for Chopard. With classic lines and rounded edges reminiscent of yesteryear pocket watches, it is 40 mm in diameter and 10.3 mm in height, a versatile modern size that will fit most wrists. The curved, angled lugs help achieve a comfortable fit. The large knurled crown operates easily. The bezel is polished while the casebands are vertically brushed, a signature element found on most L.U.C watches.

Also reminiscent of watches of a bygone era, the Grand Feu enamel dial stands out with pure, simple graphics. It is manufactured in-house. The enamel is applied on an ethical 18k rose gold base, fired repeatedly at high temperatures and polished delicately by hand. The black enamel minute track and numerals provide crisp contrast. The minute hand is styled in the characteristic dauphine-fusée style of the L.U.C collection. Framed by gold, the hour window is a bit deep, but enamel dials do require a certain thickness – and I think it befits the watch perfectly.

At the heart of the Chopard L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 beats the hand-wound calibre L.U.C 98.06-L. The jumping hour is a complex and exacting mechanism that requires an accumulation of power before releasing it all at once in a swift movement. But there’s more to it than technical matters. Turning the watch over, the exhibition caseback offers an unimpeded view of the movement and its refined finishing. The bridges are adorned with Geneva stripes, while the mainplate features circular graining. 

The balance wheel ticks at 4Hz. Its hairspring features a Phillips terminal curve. The swan-neck regulator is characteristic of the L.U.C collection models bearing the Geneva seal. Thanks to the Chopard patented Quattro technology (with its four stacked barrels), it can store an impressive 192 hours/8 days power reserve. The remaining autonomy can be checked anytime on the movement via a smart, discrete power reserve indicator.

The Chopard L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 is worn on a matte brown hand-stitched alligator leather strap with a cognac-coloured alligator leather lining. The pin buckle is fashioned out of ethical 18k rose gold too.

The Chopard L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 is released in a limited edition of 100 pieces. Price is set at EUR 44,500 or CHF 44,700. For more information and online orders, please visit www.chopard.com.