Emmanuel, known as quattro on WatchProSite, offers a compelling hands-on review of the Chopard L.U.C Lunar One's latest iteration. His detailed examination highlights the significant design evolution of this perpetual calendar, moonphase, and big date complication, making a strong case for its position as a standout piece in Chopard's L.U.C collection. This article delves into why this 20th-anniversary model, with its refined aesthetics and horological precision, warrants serious consideration from collectors.
First launched in
2005, the
Chopard L.U.C Lunar One - a
big date,
moonphase perpetual calendar -, was redesigned for the first time in
2012 and a second time this year for its
20th anniversary.
The new
case, here in
rose gold (ref. 161951-5001), is
40.5 x
11.6 mm (same diameter in 2005 vs 43 mm in 2012) and sits wonderfully on the wrist.
The blue
hand-guilloché dial is truly beautiful and makes the watch face look both very
dynamic and steeped in
tradition.
The
curved welded
lugs wrap the wrist nicely.
The
precision orbital moonphase displays a night star rotating around the small seconds axis and represents the sky as seen from the
Northern Hemisphere with the
Big Dipper as well as from the
Southern Hemisphere with the
Southern Cross. This display boasts
astronomical precision, as with a time difference of just 57.2 seconds between two moons, it will take 122 years for it to show a one-day discrepancy with the real moon.
And the
fluted conical crown is also very well designed.
The
case profile has a delightful
vertical satin-brushed finish.
The watch is powered by
caliber L.U.C 96.13-L, which is a pleasure to look at with its Geneva Seal level of finishing and swan-neck regulator.
And the
strap features a very practical
interchangeable or
quick-release system.
So, for me, there is no doubt that this new iteration of the Lunar One is very attractive and much better looking than the previous two.
Below: 1st gen (2005, 40.5 mm), 2nd gen (2012, 43 mm) and 3rd gen (2025, 40.5 mm)
credit: a blog to watch
I must even say that it completely
outshined the new
L.U.C Quattro Mark IV that I was able to try on at the same time. Not that these watches aren't attractive: they certainly are, but I was personally less sensitive to the more
modern aesthetic of their
grainy dial. The price of the Lunar One, though, is much higher, of course.
Below: rose gold, ref. 161954-5001 & platinum, ref. 161954-9001
Thanks for reading.
Best, Emmanuel
