Esharp
1618
Funny, I was thinking pretty much the same thing!
It's great to see this. Generally I'm very fond of what Chopard has done, and I've considered a good few for purchase. Unfortunately there's been something in each model I've looked at that didn't quite do it for me; but I've come pretty close and I still regard the original LUC 1.96 as a bit of a grail - maybe someday I'll pick one up (white gold, blue dial, I think).
Now, about this watch...
This message has been edited by Esharp on 2016-03-18 21:12:38
I don't mind about the lack of a moonphase.
And I noticed with a little disappointment, but don't really mind, the steel winding rotor (assuming that the price has benefited from omitting a precious-metal winding mass).
But those subdials! Goodness me. I just don't understand why that text is there. Surely anyone who has the good taste and the wherewithal to buy and wear such a watch can be trusted to figure out that a subdial with JFMAM etc. is the months, etc.?
Or was there a conversation a little while back in Chopard HQ which went something like this:
"Oh look, check this out, here's what I've designed."
"Nice! Steel LUC perpetual calendar...it's gonna be a huge hit with all those weirdo obsessive watch fans! And I like that eccentric leap year indicator. Well done. Who's it targeted at?"
"Well, you know, our customers are classy! Discerning! Sophisticated! They have great taste and they're learning so much more these days about watches, and there's a lot more demand for stainless steel because they see the value in the movement. Plus, as everyone knows, the Swiss watch industry has pushed prices up in the last bunch of years to the ridiculous bordering on the insane, and finally the customers are catching up with that; so we've got to adjust all that and address the value proposition."
"Great. But wait...why are we telling people what each subdial does? Is that necessary? Won't it be pretty obvious to everyone that this one is for seconds, that one is for months, and the other one is for days of the week?"
"Hey...I never said our customers had any brains!"
????
Best (tongue firmly in cheek),
E.
Baselworld 2016: CHOPARD L.U.C Perpetual Twin; new movement launched in steel case
L.U.C Perpetual Twin: A classic complication at great value PuristS aficionados, When Chopard launched their first L.U.C manual wind chronograph calibre simultaneously in a rose gold case and steel case for the L.U.C 1963 Collection, it was the first time...
I like it
The subtlety of the location of the date indicator (on the F) escaped me at first glance. I don't mind the labeling of the other subdials - that's cool. The only improvement I would make to this (and most perpetuals) is instead of 1 2 3 4 on the tiny LEAP...
The tagline says it: Classic complication at great value
The project driver was "value" from the start. Regards, MTF
He means that instead of the markers 1, 2, 3, 4 on the Leap Year indicator...
Traditionally, the markers 1, 2, 3 and 4 indicate normal years 1 to 3 that have 28 days in February. Then in Year 4, there are 29 days. The suggestion to help people is to indicate for each year sector the actual number of days e.g. 28, 28, 28 and then 29...
Yes, I would be happy with LEAP
It's just this 1 2 3 4 business that I can't quite reconcile with. It's one of the main reasons I settled on the IWC for my first perpetual. No need to worry about 4=Leap when you have the whole year spelled out in 4 digits on the dial (most of the time)....
If the sub dials has no label and there is a Moonphase...
it will appeal me more. I'm still cannot get over a Perpetual Calendar without a moon, not even those with different phases of the moon engraved in a sub dial. It will also be nice if micro rotors are gold ) I think that will look so much better. Rgds Ray...
Funny, I was thinking pretty much the same thing!
It's great to see this. Generally I'm very fond of what Chopard has done, and I've considered a good few for purchase. Unfortunately there's been something in each model I've looked at that didn't quite do it for me; but I've come pretty close and I still...
I was not at the board meeting
Esharp I was not at the Chopard meeting but did discuss "plans" with Mr KFS about 5 years ago. The original drivers even before a crystal ball could have predicted recent geopolitical events were: Respond to requests for a simpler, affordable perpetual ca...
Thanks, MTF
I'm sure you could tell my post was very tongue-in-cheek but on a more serious note, it's always interesting to hear something about the thought process that goes into the development of the products. Agreed re Chopard's pricing policy and that's one of s...
Agreed on both counts
My first thought was "where\'s the moonphase?" And my second thought was "why the labels for day month etc?"
It was designed from the start to recapture classic theme
Chopard already has an award winning Lunar One that even won a PuristS Purity Prize in 2009. The original perpetual calendar definition does not include a moonphase display so it is suited to a more affordable model for new collectors or those who already...
Not too sure of the month indices of just J, F, M, A, M, J, J, ...
To me it's not exactly intuitive. Given the inscription of 'month' on the subdial, wouldn't it be better to simply indicate w/ arabic numerals then the leap year indicator w/ roman numeral? Moreover, I'm curious about motivation behind launching this new ...
Yes: both simplicity and cost were the goals
Good value, simplified complication. Want more? Pay more and get the Lunar One. Regards MTF
J, F, M, A, M, J, J ...
is pretty straight forward to me and naturally only reflects my taste. We see the same as well on the Lunar One, Perpetual T and the lucky ones among us on the 150 All-in-one. It actually means that Chopard continues its style line, which I do appreciate....
Awful in so many ways...
...beginning with the text on the sundials and ending with the massive size. A watch this big should be waterproof down to 1,000 feet. Can't anyone other than PP make a slim, discreet perpetual anymore? Making thick watches isn't difficult, it's lazy imho...
For you: Buy the Patek Philippe
Now we have the choice according to our means . Both in Geneva and at Baselworld, the two brands are neighbours. Its convenient for consumers. You should get the Patek Philippe. Regards, MTF
My means lean more toward this one...
...unless my companies stock makes a long-awaited move up : ) But my point remains; is PP the only ones who can figure it out? If I\'m a \'poor\' man with \'only\' $40-$60k to spend on a watch, should I just be satisfied and not expect anything else? We k...
Unknown
I don't have shares nor role in the company. I assume decisions are made despite and inspite of abilities and technique, that are driven by other forces. Perhaps there is no need or purpose to subserve? You are not contentious. Its a valid question. Thank...
Congrats to Chopard; I wish them success.
Chopard did what many others should have done. In general the global economy is getting complicated and Chopard, as a response, is offering fine watches in more affordable case. At least for me it's more important what ticks inside rather than the fancy m...
Designed before current geopolitical effects
Actually discussed and designed before recent global conditions but I guess Chopard had a predictive crystal ball ?!? MTF
The current situation has been easy to predict for a long time.
I think Chopard has really understood what horology is all about. Best, Kari
Not familiar with perpetuals, but I really like
the positioning of the leap year sub-dial in place of Feb. Small touches like this show the level of thought that Chopard put into finalising the details of the watch.
Interested in you
Interested in you because you may be the target client. If you have not thought of a perpetual calendar watch nor experience before, your opinion is important... Regards MTF
This is Chopard!
For the 20th anniversary, this is a great step by an important brand. It might miss a little bit of the finishing level of the hall marked manufacture calibers. It might miss a gold rotor like found in the XPS with calibre 3.96. And some might miss a moon...
Perpetual calendar AND chronograph
Lose the moon but add the chronograph. Probably more "practical" as we rarely use the moon except when trying to make babies! MTF
I certainly lack the experience with...
... trying to make babies depending on the moon phase. Maybe something you can teach us (or me only) with your 10k milestone post that is coming up pretty soon? Besides that, I doubt that there will be any second-hand market for the Perpetual Chrono, whic...
Hmmm - I can envision a Kama Sutra Swatch with moon phase ...
with gold rotor, preferably. Or a Sven Andersen, for the thicker of pocketbook among us. Cazalea
Like it very much...
.. but couldn't it be a bit smaller? 43mm - I am not sure I can wear..... But superb design and must be an great honor to own one. Would love to see and handle myself.... Ken