KIH
[Purist]
12054
Chopard Full Strike - Saw it, handled it, and listened to it!
Well, finally the prototype - P1/20 - of Chopard Full Strike which Mr. KFS himself has been wearing since the launch and has been to wherever he has been, landed here, only without Mr. KFS himself 
but with Mr. Pau Infante, L.U.C International Sales Manager from Switzerland.
The presentation was just "wow", and the watch is scheduled to stay here for just a few days, the time allocated to me was just one hour and there was next slot person waiting, so my time was not enough! But it was a great experience to handle and listen to it.
The detail has been reported many times here, so please bear with me if I repeat what have already been said here before.
1. Design
As you see at 2h, there is a power reserve indicator, which shows both for the watch and for the chiming mechanism. Inside (black) is for the watch PR, and the outside (blue) shows the chiming power reserve.
Power reserve for the watch is about 60 hours, and for the chiming - 12 times of 12:59 chiming (12 x low tone, 3 x high/low combo, 14 x low tone).
Winding clockwise - for the watch. Winding counterclockwise - for the chiming. Very easy to use and read.
See the big hammer viewable from the front (9h and 11h). It is fun to see the hammers move and hear the repeater sound. Also seen is governor (8h), which makes no noise.
On the back side are "CHRONOMETER" and Geneve Seal - this is the FIRST minute repeater which has both COSC and Geneve Seal certification.
Yup, L.U.C logo is there, too, of course.
Yup, L.U.C logo is there, too, of course.
This is the 11th caliber for Chopard during the 20 years (since 1996 when Chopard built Fleurier manufacture for mainly L.U.C movements). Including variations, the number jumps up to 80 calibers for the past 20 years.
Definitely L.U.C DNA - profiles of other L.U.C there - Mr. Infante's, Mr. Dobeli (Chopard Japan President).
Definitely L.U.C DNA - profiles of other L.U.C there - Mr. Infante's, Mr. Dobeli (Chopard Japan President).
Curvy lug gives comfort even when the watch looks a bit bigger than you may like.
And brushed finish with vertical hairlines.
These are the Rose Gold L.U.C "Brothers".
These are the Rose Gold L.U.C "Brothers".
Speaking of Roes Gold - the case of Full Strike is made of "Fairmined" gold. Chopard is a highly socially responsible company.
And another thing, although I could not see, the box in which this watch is to be delivered has "Resonance Chamber" - the lower part of the box is the resonance box, made by the lutier near Fleurier and made of the woods used for those lute or other string instruments.... I really want to hear it with that chamber!!!!
2. Mechanism
And another thing, although I could not see, the box in which this watch is to be delivered has "Resonance Chamber" - the lower part of the box is the resonance box, made by the lutier near Fleurier and made of the woods used for those lute or other string instruments.... I really want to hear it with that chamber!!!!
2. Mechanism
One thing you should definitely know is co-axial snails for hour, quarter and minute, with ratchet which conveys the time information via "beak" to the chiming mechanism. By making those three information snails on the same axis, the tempo or rhythm is very constant/ consistent.
Also what should be noted (patent pending) is "mono block crystal manufacturing" - as you may know, the gong is made of crystal which is made together with other part of the crystal which includes the front glass. By doing this, the difference of the sound by individual watches is almost non-existent.
Needless to say, there are lots of "fail safe" systems, including but not limited to:
Also what should be noted (patent pending) is "mono block crystal manufacturing" - as you may know, the gong is made of crystal which is made together with other part of the crystal which includes the front glass. By doing this, the difference of the sound by individual watches is almost non-existent.
Needless to say, there are lots of "fail safe" systems, including but not limited to:
- can't adjust time when repeater is working.
- won't chime if the power reserve for the chiming is not enough.
And by making "mono pusher" on the top of the crown, NOT the lever, the watch is more water-resistant, and eliminate the possibility to break it by incomplete levering.
So, you may be tired of reading what you already know - here is the sound.
Very clear sound and I like it. Consistent tempo/ rhythm. Maybe a bit too fast, but within my liking level.
Well done, Chopard! I very much envy those who can take this home.....
Thank you so much -
Thank you so much -
Mr. Pau Infante, Chopard L.U.C International Sales Manager
Mr. Thomas Dobeli, President, Chopard Japan
.. and Chopard Japan staff, as always.
Hope you enjoy the sound!
Ken
Chopard Full Strike - Saw it, handled it, and listened to it!
Well, finally the prototype - P1/20 - of Chopard Full Strike which Mr. KFS himself has been wearing since the launch and has been to wherever he has been, landed here, only without Mr. KFS himself but with Mr. Pau Infante, L.U.C International Sales Manage...
Impressive report, Ken!
Who are going to be bored with this masterpiece by the way? Best Jev
Great report
The sounds is crystal clear, the right amount of pause, the new mechanism is stunning. I simply don't like that half opened dial; i understand the purpose, but the magic of a minute repeater is in the listening, not in the seeing.
Band of Chopard Bros
Ken, Thanks for the live report from Japan. It's a good thing you had the L.U.C Full Strike for an hour to take the group photo with the Band of Chopard Brothers. Otherwise, your all black too much tech L.U.C High Frequency chronometer would have been the...
