Chopard L.U.C Lunar Twin Review

Kong · 2014-03-11T07:42:33Z

Detailed review of the Chopard L.U.C Lunar Twin, featuring dual moonphase for Northern and Southern Hemispheres, 40mm case, and Caliber L.U.C 96.05-L.

Kong

WPS member · Chopard forum

9 replies3261 views1 photos

L.U.Chopard (L.U.C) Lunar Twin - from the name, would expect something of two/dual. Besides its Twin-barrel technology, it is able to display the moonphase for both Northern and Southern Hemispheres at the same time. It may not be unique for year 2014, with quite a few companies exhibiting moonphase models during the SIHH and coming Basel. Just that the Chopard L.U.C Lunar Twin, is ahead of its time by two years, launched in 2012.

Placing the moonphase at 1H is kind of uncommon amount the various moonphase watches in the market, which typically placed at 6H. It is more logical to have the moon on top, as we always look up to view it at night, an association of having the moonphase at top of the dial-layout. As for asymetrical dial placement, I guessed it could be simulating the lunar orbital plane, with has about 5°9' inclination of Orbit to Ecliptic.

The main draw of this model is legibility of the moonphase, date with clean, uncluttered dial in a classical design.

The L.U.C Lunar Twin comes in two precious metal cases - either 18K white gold or rose gold.
Case diameter is at a comfortable 40mm by 9.97mm height.

Clean dial layout and appear to be bigger than 40mm due to the thin bezel design.

Rhodiumed hands are beautifully crafted polished dauphine-hands, which demand extreme care to produce, as any blemish will be easily observed by a change in the surface reflection.

The silver-toned dial is sunburst satin-brushed, with 'rays' radiating out from the L.U. Chopard logo.

Moonphase for the North Hemisphere is directly read out from the silver-frosted moon motif, whereas for Southern Hemisphere, the current moonphase is indicated by the silver-arrow.

The duration between two identical phases of the moon is called a month or known as a synodic revolution which amounts to 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 2.8 seconds, and according to L.U.C, its ultra-precise 135 teeth wheel driving the moon-bearing disc would differ just one day every 122 years, between the mechanism and the actual lunar cycle ( if keep running).

Applied highly polished Roman numerals.

The depth of the date-window is a bit deep, but date could be easily read out when viewed directly above it.

The signed 6.50mm diameter crown is of 18K white gold.

The sapphire crystal is slightly cambered and anti-reflective coated to reduce glare.

Above picture, showing the quick-moonphase adjuster at 9H.

The 18K white gold case is also dual-polished with contrasting gloss-finish and brush-finishing on the side of the caseband.

L.U.C Calibre 96.21-L is automatic winding with 22K gold micro-rotor. COSC certified and beautifully decorated with 'Cotes de Geneve" patterns and perlage on both sides of the bridges and platine,

L.U.C 96.21-L is with its Twin technology, a Chopard-patented system staking two coaxial barrels providing power reserve of 65 hours at 4Hz..

Straps are both sides alligator skins hand-stitched with a solid 18K gold pin buckle.

Lastly, moonphase lovers, I wonder what or how you actually use your moonphase or simply have it on your wrist to marvel the fascinated mechanism ?

Kong

This message has been edited by MTF on 2014-03-13 17:17:20

The Discussion

Marcus Hanke

Mar 11, 2014

"Never place a date where it compromises the design! --- well, never place a date anywhere ..." The unusual placement of the moon phase at 1 is a very nice design twist, but even I as a lover of date windows consider the location of the date at 4 as a mistake. Integrating it into the small second at 6 would have made the watch much more attractive, imho. Marcus

MichaelC

Mar 11, 2014

I quite fancy the hour and minute hands. Very cool. The date location is a bit of a pity. I suppose having a date with a moonphase is a good thing, but I certainly can see the watch sans date all together. As executed, it is a bit too prominent for my taste. Thanks for the post Kong.

patrick_y

Mar 11, 2014

It's a nice watch and a great moonphase. Not being critical, but I find the seconds sub-dial to be too big. Plus I always liked Chopard's 1.96 micro rotored movement. But every time I see a Chopard watch, I can't get that L.U.C 1963 watch out of my mind. Beautiful movement, COSC, Geneva-seal, pocket-watch movement, enamel dial... Does it get any better than that?

Kong

Mar 11, 2014

the date is not there, as many cannot read it, including me without the spectacles. However, the market seems to want it. Have to agree with you, if can be moved into the small second will be balanced. Thanks for viewing, Marcus. Kong

Kong

Mar 11, 2014

seems to be weird, like lacking of something. However, the date is really like an 'interrupt' . Wonder if the date window moved to 9H, will it work? May be inconvenient for those who are wearing long sleeve with cuff... will need to stretch the hand more to expose the whole dial to read. Talking about these new hands, I am also eager to learn how they are made too... no easy task with just dauphine, now they added 'the shoulder" before the dauphine shoot out. Thanks for viewing, Michael. Kong

Kong

Mar 11, 2014

Hi Patrick Thanks for your observation. Design wise could be smaller, but aged eyes welcome it to be bigger :-) You are not alone with the L.U.C 1963, it is really handsome, should be evergreen... just short of having the dial in grand feu, now is a lacquer dial. Thanks Patrick. Kong

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