Chopard L.U.C Quattro 2011 Review

Kong · 2011-12-07T09:44:40Z

Review the 2011 Chopard L.U.C Quattro, its 1.98 movement, and design evolution. Compare it to earlier models and explore collector opinions.

Kong

WPS member · Chopard forum

9 replies7247 views1 photos

Kong's 2011 article introduces the updated Chopard L.U.C Quattro, tracing its lineage from the groundbreaking L.U.C 1.98 movement. This piece offers a comprehensive look at the evolution of the Quattro, highlighting its technical prowess and design shifts aimed at a contemporary audience, making it essential reading for L.U.C enthusiasts.

L.U.C. was officially started in 1996, with the first revered movement, the L.U.C 1.96, joined by the tonneau-shaped L.U.C 1.97 and then the shocker 4-barrels hand-wound L.U.C 1.98. At that time, around year 2000, the four sequential barrels with 216 hours of power reserve is an incredible feat, which is still today as not many houses have such capabilities.

The calibre L.U.C 1.98 is very important as it is the base from which evolved ithe tourbillon-movements L.U.C 1.02 and L.U.C 4TXX series, not forgetting the L.U.C Regulator variation which won 2004 Watch of the Year.

The first L.U.C Quattro model with the movement L.U.C 1.98 issued in year 2000.

The L.U.C Quattro Regulator 4R, which won the 2004 Watch of the Year prize awarded by a jury of professionals brought together by the Montres Passion and Uhrenwelt.

One of the earlier version of L.U.C tourbillon with movement L.U.C 1.02 ...

and also in the latest L.U.C Triple Certification piece !

After Chopard's 150th anniversary last year, the 2011 collection is with a more contemporary look and also given a clearer identity, to clearly differentiate L.U.C among the various Chopard lines of watches (like the Mille Miglia, Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, SuperFast, Jacky Ickx and the Happy Series).

Starting in 2011, the brand name now is clearly labeled in full - " L.U.Chopard ".
Actually the first piece which had this new identity was the Anniverary piece L.U.C Louis-Ulysee - The Tribute.

The 2011 L.U.C Quattro, a more contemporary look, designed to attract the younger audience and segment that prefer less classic aesthetic. This model comes in either 18K white gold or 18K rose gold case.

Beside the facelift, the case is enlarged to 43.00mm. Fortunately, the calibre L.U.C 1.98 is not small, thus the dial layout is still balanced and proportionate.

The power reserve indicator is at 12H, but was reversed (flipped up) from the previous version to look like a speedometer.
The maximum power marked is 8-day even though the power reserve is 216 hours or 9 days.

The reason is to ensure the timekeeping is consistent, it signals the owner to wind the watch before reaching the unstable zone of the 9th day.

This watch could be designed for people who enjoy winding their watches during their leisure time. A good time to wind could be on a quiet weekend evening with a nice glass of drink ( and perhaps cigar), turning the crown, seeing the power being injected and the indicator rising. After that, turn over and enjoy the beautifully decorated Calibre L.U.C 1.98 . This could be an every weekend routine, before the start of the new week, completely charge up to go for another week.

It is also logical to have a power reserve indicator on a manual-wind than on an automatic, in my opinion. As long as an automatic is being worn, the barrel will be charged up, which in a way, making the power reserve indicator less useful or serve a purpose, and perhaps just present to serve a reason for an extra line in the specifications. Since it is always being charged, it is kind of robbing the fun of a prolong winding routine

Previous model, about 90 turns of the crown could fully charge the barrels. With a slightly bigger crown in this 2011 model, I guess it could be around the region of 70 to 80 turns though.

At 6H subdial, some people were puzzled with the functions.

It is a combination of the date and small second function.

The dark blue hand is the date-hand. The date indicator has two rings - the outer ring for even date while the inner ring which the dark blue hand could block is for the odd date.
Perhaps the odd number ring is sufficient and make it less cluttered, however due to the enlarge case and dial, the extra even number ring was added.

The date is not easy to read for someone with longsightedness without their glasses.

Both the newly designed dauphine hands are coated with superluminova for low light reading.

The dial as seen above is silvered satine and layered to provide depth.

Roman hour-indexes applied on.

Case is finishing to create the contrasting effect, with the side of the caseband brush-finished whereas the rest of the areas are gloss polished. Signed 18K gold crown of diameter 6.50mm.

Sapphire crystal is double anti-reflective, providing exceptional clarity.

At 43mm case diameter, these lugs protrude out when worn on smaller wrist. I would prefer the case diameter to be smaller, at maximum 40mm and more tapered down lugs to flow nicely on a smaller wrist. May even suitable for ladies.

The case thickness is slick at 8.80mm . Water resistance rating is at 50m.

The hand sewn alligator strap is luxuriously lined with a layer of brown alligator leather.

Sapphire caseback allowing the display of full splendour of the L.U.C 1.98.

The L.U.C 1.98 is COSC and Geneva Seal certified. Bridges adorned with Cote de Geneve and with bi-colour inscriptions. Swan neck regulator. The L.U.C 1.98 with four stacked and series-coupled barrels beats at 28,800 VPH (4Hz).

Some pictures of the white gold version for reference and comparison ...

Suitable for those who prefer to be understated ...

I quite like this white gold version, clean look with small dose of contrasting blued hands on both the power reserve indicator and date-hand.

And two wrist-shots on a gentleman's wrist ... a bigger wrist than mine ...

The new L.U.C Quattro is a really nice business watch. However, it is advisable to try it on in the boutiques or authorised retailers as reading the date could be challenging and the pictures above are all close-up shots. For friends who like manual wound movement, check the Quattro out, as it is the only manual wound base-movement for L.U.C at the moment, and if you really like classic design, the first generation is also very charming.

After seeing these two pieces, which appeal to you more?

Thanks for viewing.

Kong

This message has been edited by Kong on 2011-12-07 09:45:57 This message has been edited by MTF on 2011-12-07 17:25:20 This message has been edited by Kong on 2011-12-08 06:04:20

Key Points from the Discussion

The 2011 L.U.C Quattro's enlarged 43mm case, while a departure from previous smaller versions, is surprisingly well-proportioned on the wrist due to the substantial L.U.C 1.98 caliber.
The date layout on the 2011 Quattro is considered busy and not quickly identifiable, with too many tick marks between numbers, leading to questions about alternative designs Chopard might have explored.
The change in the Chopard font from script to plain print significantly modernizes the watch's look, making the 2011 version a strong contender for a contemporary dress watch.
The L.U.C 1.96 and 1.98 movements in earlier, smaller classic models are highly regarded, with some collectors preferring the 'classic small' aesthetic over the larger 2011 model.
The L.U.C Quattro's power reserve indicator, reversed to resemble a speedometer and marked for 8 days despite a 9-day reserve, is a thoughtful design choice to ensure consistent timekeeping by prompting winding before the unstable zone.
The 43mm size of the new Quattro is a concern for collectors with smaller wrists, as previous versions fit more comfortably.

The Discussion

marcelo

Dec 7, 2011

Didn't like the facelift result nor the new size.

MTF

Dec 7, 2011

Thanks Kong for the mini-review. I started with a L.U.C. 1.96 movement in the old 16/1860/1 classic model with diamond-shape indicators as you showed. Then, a L.U.C. 1.98 Quattro movement in a rose gold version of the watch you showed

ling5hk

Dec 8, 2011

the date ring is too big to the extent that the top part is covered by the hands. You are right, I wish the size would be max 40mm for such a dressy watch. Thanks for the review. Regards Ling

MichaelC

Dec 8, 2011

The date layout is odd to me. I like the creativity of the two rings, however all of the extra tick marks between the small numbers are not needed and really make it busy. So we have all of these markings drawing the eyes, yet as you point out the date is not quickly identified. I am curious as to what other designs they perhaps explored before settling on this one. The case is a beauty, although I am not sure this particular piece benefits from the larger size. Great strap. Overall a nice watch

small-luxury-world

Dec 9, 2011

can be dangerous. Especially after so many great (detailed) pictures. Saw them and went to the next boutique. The RG version was on display and I liked a lot what I saw. Always liked their (manual L.U.C.) movements, but was never happy with their cases - too "shiny" for my taste. For the first time I was really pleased with the whole product. Congrats Chopard - good development! The size is big, but not too big on my wrist. Something I didn´t expect. My favorite version would be WG, which I

Dje

Dec 11, 2011

Hi Kong, I've been looking at Chopard LUC watches since I got the launch catalog of the 1.96 some time ago (well nearly 15 years already). My interest has been recently revived following a discussion with MTF on that subject of Chopard. Your post is very bad for me as it is going to revive even more my desire..... As I'm more appealed by the micro-rotor automatic models I can't wait to see how these models evolve. A micro-rotor automatic watch is clearly on my target list at the time being. But

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