SJX
[Purist]
8540
Some thoughts on the LUC tourbillon
Pictured is the gold tourbillon, which I have never seen in the metal
I was fortunate enough to spend some time with a platinum LUC tourbillon some days ago, and no, I did not buy it.
In pictures the design elements are quite disparate and quirky, but they come together very well on the actual watch. The off centre dial and guilloche pattern actually draw attention towards the tourbillon cage and bridge, which are beautifully finished, one of the best I have seen. Display back finish is also top notch, the hand engraved lettering on the movement gives it a touch of humanity, a reminder that a person is behind all the Geneva stripes and anglage. Another surprise is the heft of the watch, it feels much more solid than pictures reveal.
The only drawback with the PT piece is the sheer whiteness of the watch. The dial, hands and case are all silverish, leaving the watch very monochrome. As I examined the watch I slowly began to appreciate the color scheme, but potential buyers shouldn't be put off by the lack of colour.
Also surprising was the price. It was approximately $100,000 at retail in platinum, that is reasonably priced compared to similar complications from other makers. I think the LUC range is penalised by the market for being Chopard, hopefully more market recognition will come soon.
Chopard also makes the Steel Wing tourbillon, but it makes one think that Chopard is trying to be like Richard Mille, which is not Chopard's forte.
At the end of the short session with this masterpiece, I ending up liking it very much. Not for the same reasons I like the Richard Mille 002 tourbillon, or the GP skeleton three golden bridges, those are breathtaking masterpieces but they are loud and almost over the top in their own way; this Chopard is quiet but exudes quality, it whispers, it doesn't flaunt the perfectly black polished tourbillon bridge. That is why I like it.
Regards,
JiaXian
