Chopard

MTF
[PuristS]
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New L.U.C Full Strike watch in Concert with Renaud Capuçon

On 7th November 2016, a monumental and momentous symphony was revealed to the world.  In conjunction with the 20th anniversary of the Chopard Manufacture, L.U.C's first minute repeater striking watch was presented in Fleurier. That evening, the 'Concert L.U.C Full Strike par Renaud Capuçon' in Lausanne completed the symphony for Mr Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and family. I offer my thoughts on the emotions of that day.

Chopard Forum, Fleurier

Anticipation

Watch Collectors and journalists from around the globe travelled the tortous route through Val-de-Travers to convene at the 'Chopard Forum' in Fleurier.

Despite flurries of light snow, our spirits were high and the AN-TI-CIpation was palpable.

Despite resolute security and the Envelope of Embargo that shrouded the event, some of us were sworn to secrecy by none other than Mr Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, who suggested it would be a fitting culmination of the 20th Anniversary Celebrations, not to be missed.

Three generations of Family Scheufele

Even to the uninitiated, it was clear that something wondrous was afoot because three generations of the Scheufele family were in attendance.

What's more - they even posed for a rare group photograph - a Chopard employee remarked that I should sell the photo to the company archivist! 

Karl Friedrich Scheufele in contemplation

Emotion

During his introductory speech, I sensed the emotions that passed through Karl-Friedrich both in the articulated and the unsaid.

I felt the trials and tribulations as well as the joys that marked the twenty-year journey of L.U.C and Chopard Manufacture.

Imagine the derision and objections he faced as a 36-year old executive when pitching his proposal to make an in-house movement when there were unlimited supplies from ETA, Piguet, Lemania, JLC and others?  After the ravages of the 1970s, only few brands with deep pockets could do so and nobody had the will.

Then came the L.U.C 1.96 movement in 1996 and the rest - as they say - is history.

L.U.C Full Strike

Admiration

When we saw...nay...heard the L.U.C Full Strike, we knew it was a triumphant fanfare. Like Copeland's 'Fanfare for the Common Man', it opened the floodgates of emotion. Our jaws both literally and virtually dropped in a panoply of empathy and incredulity.

I don't possess any minute repeater watch and have never been attracted to any before. I've heard many considered by my friends to be the best striking watches in the world.

With great admiration and respect for all those friends and the usual suspects - Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Bulgari, Credor, JLC, Piaget, and maybe Vacheron Constantin - we now have a Best-of-the-Best in the L.U.C Full Strike.

L.U.C Full Strike

L.U.C Full Strike

Resolution

I will leave it to my technical colleague to present the PuristS detailed report on the L.U.C Full Strike; it is well worth waiting for.

Soon, my friends, soon....

L.U.C Full Strike Design Goals

Meanwhile, I took away the key points for a the common user:

1) Crystal clear sound: World's first sapphire gongs and amplifier watch glass.

2) Consummate cadence: Perfect musicality.

3) Indefatigable power: Reserve for 12 full sets of 32 gong strikes at 12:59 and 60-hours of separate timing autonomy.

4) Unmitigated security: Built-in safeguards against user error breaking strike mechanism.

L.U.C Full Strike target sound




L.U.C Full Strike patent

L.U.C Full Strike patent

L.U.C Full Strike patent

Collaboration

Musical and Striking Watch presentations are a concert of efforts.

L.U.C Full Strike watchmaker and designer

The watch designer and movement maker had to work together to showcase the culmination of 17,000 hours of development.

An open-work dial may have its fans or  detractors depending on whether they want to see the striking components or not.

Universally, they all love the music it produces.

Celine Renaud, CEO and Founder JMC Lutherie

That brings me nicely to the presentation box...nay...cabinet.

JMC Lutherie is a specialist sound box manufacturer in Le Brassus, Switzerland that makes the presentation cabinet for the L.U.C Full Strike.

Through the mystical marriage of magical woods and consummate craftsmanship, the sound is channeled to the ear with alacrity. JMC Lutherie also makes flat panel hi-fidelity loud-speakers from wood and table-top sounding box stations for personal devices.

JMC Lutherie sound box for mobile phones

'Concert L.U.C Full Strike par Renaud Capuçon'

Renaud Capuçon and Karl-Friedrich Scheufele

"Renaud Capuçon is a French violinist."   How dry does that sound? 

Actually, Mr Capuçon is a renown soloist and pupil of Isaac Stern who also records exclusively for Virgin Classics. Although he plays with with top orchestras around the world, he is noted for his love of chamber music.

Renaud Capuçon plays the Guarneri del Gesù "Panette" (1737) that belonged to Isaac Stern, bought for him by Banca Svizzera Italiana (BSI).

Renaud Capuçon in concert

Accompanied on pianoforte by Silvia Fraser, Mr Capuçon enthralled us with pieces by Beethoven, Brahms, Massenet, Bartok, Williams and Gluck; all while wearing the light L.U.C 1860 XPS watch.

Renaud Capuçon and Silvia Fraser

• Lugwig von Beethoven: Sonata Nr.5 Le printemps (1st & 2nd movements).
• Johannes Brahms: Danse Hongroise Nr.5.
• Jules Massenet: Méditation de Thaïs.
• Béla Bartok: Danses roumaines.
• John Williams: Thème de Schindler's List.
• Christophe Willibald Gluck: Mélodie d'Orphée et Eurydice.

Dîner L.U.C Full Strike by Ann-Sophie Pic

As if our appetites were not already whetted by the concert, there was a superb dinner by Ann-Sophie Pic to follow, at the Michelin 2-Star 'Restaurant Anne-Sophie Pic' in Lausanne.

Anne-Sophie Pic is the daughter of the late Chef Jacques Pic and grew up at the family's restaurant - 'Maison Pic' in Valance - founded by grandfather Chef Andre Pic, whose 'crayfish gratin' gained the restaurant their first Michelin 3-star award in 1943 that was maintained by Chef Jacques. After her father's death in 1992, she moved to working the front of the house. In 1995, the restaurant lost its third Michelin star.

Feeling that she had lost "her father's star", she returned to the kitchen. In 1997, she took control of the restaurant without formal training in cooking. In 2007, she regained Maison Pic's three Michelin stars.

'La Dame de Pic - Paris' has 1 Michelin Star and the newest 'La Dame de Pic - London' is scheduled to open in less than three weeks (26th January 2017).

So far, Chef Anne-Sophie Pic has 6 Michelin Stars from three restaurants.

L.U.C Full Strike on Mr KFS

Conclusion

If Music be the Food of Love, play on....

I rarely post my image online, preferring to use wrist shots to convey my passion. However, everything fell into place with perfect harmony that day in Switzerland that I felt moved to show our joy - Two PuristS with watches - a symphony of emotions!

Pair of PuristS:  Passion, Opinion, Information.

Regards,
MTF