Kong[Moderator]
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Probably the Thinnest Automatic Tonneau - L.U.C XP Tonneau (Updated)
Nov 07, 2010,21:56 PM
For this year Chopard has another surprise for lovers of
tonneau shape pieces. A new L.U.C XP Tonneau, yes, extra-plate, and
probably the thinnest tonneau self-winding extra-plate at 7.22mm.
The
previous tonneau L.U.C was created in 2001, five years after the
forming of L.U.C. Mr Karl-Friedrich Scheufele ensured the engine inside
conformed to the tonneau-shaped case and not adopted from a round
calibre with a tonneau-shaped spacer. This particular attention to
details is very comforting, as we could see the personality of the
leader of the L.U.C is authentic and does not take the easy way out from
the beginning.
2001 Edition of L.U.C Tonneau
Tonneau-shaped 28.15mm X 27.60mm L.U.C Calibre 3.97 with a thickness of 3.30 mm
The new L.U.C XP Tonneau moved away from the previous more muscular
version besides the thickness reduction. Previous case dimension is
40.00 mm X 39.00 mm. The new XP Tonneau is 40.00mm X 37.00mm, also
slimmer by 2.00mm. Water resistance with the new case has increased to 50m from previous 30m too.
This new version comes in 18K white gold and rose gold.
All sides of the XP Tonneau are brushed finished whereas the top and bottom sides are polished.
The slender bezel gives an impression of a bigger watch as the Sunburst
silvered brushed dial now has more surface area.
Anti-glare sapphire crystal reduces glare and provides sharp view of the dial face-on.
The hour and minute
hands spotting the new Dauphine fusée-type design and are rhodium-plated
for the white-gold case or gold plated for the rose-gold plated.
Decent contrast with reflective light. Likewise for the
hour-indexes, they are either rhodium or gold-plated corresponding to
the case metals.
Mirroring the opposite side and same polishing theme, satin-brushed with a polished 18K L.U.C signed crown.
Beautifully finished COSC certified Calibre 3.97 with double
stacked-barrel providing 65 hours of power reserve. Maximum juice in a
slim body!
Sapphire caseback is also anti-glare for great enjoyment viewing the engine.
Côtes de Genève decoration on the bridges, and perlage on hidden undersides.
A solid 22K gold micro-rotor.
Update : This L.U.C 3.97 has two obvious improvements. The small second hacks when the crown is pulled for time adjustment and when depressing the crown back, the minute-hand stayed and did not jump a bit like previously. This is good news!Comes with hand-sewn black or brown alligator leather strap and 18K tang buckle.
The lugs are redesigned so that the watch would sit nicely on a smaller
wrist. A broader wrist will enhance the fit though.
A rose-gold variation for reference.
Now,
L.UC has two variations of Tonneau shaped which could address a bigger
audience. For friends who like a more classic look, perhaps, you could
check out the previous version, and those who prefer the best of both
worlds, a contemporary and stylish extra-flat, this new L.U.C XP Tonneau
should please.
It will be great to hear your observations.
Thanks for viewing.
Kong
This message has been edited by Kong on 2010-11-08 23:32:34