Comments:
A surprise - a Chopard grand complication watch from the pre-LUC era, namely the 36/1208
I have been quite surprised, when I stumbled upon this today. A 1993 Chopard with a perpetual calendar, moonphase and chrono, made in a limited edition of 50 pieces - the 36/1208.
From: http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2007/important-watches-hk0254/lot.1822.html
40mm, Calibre 899/1 (not sure from whom), 52 jewels. Anyone know more about it, or has handled it? Definitely a product of the 90s, though
From: http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2007/important-watches-hk0254/lot.1822.html
40mm, Calibre 899/1 (not sure from whom), 52 jewels. Anyone know more about it, or has handled it? Definitely a product of the 90s, though
Was a surprise for me as well
I thought 1996 was the year they started in earnest with own movements and serious watches. But then there are always surprises, when it comes to our hobby
Are you sure of the movement number?
Before L.U.C, Chopard automatic watches contained good movements like F. Piguet, Valjoux or JLC.
Did you mean a JLC 889 movement? The JLC 899 is a recent issue movement.
The modern JLC calibre 899 is an improved version of the JLC calibre 889, first introduced in the 1980s. The JLC 889 was one of the most common automatic movements supplied to high-end brands (Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin and IWC). It had a complex bi-directional rocker winding mechanism.
Regards,
MTF
Mistyped...
889/1 is correct. JLC base, DD modules for the complications. Some sources claim 52 jewels, some 54. 43h power reserve.
Ever seen one, MTF? Any other similar watches from the pre-LUC past?
Ever seen one, MTF? Any other similar watches from the pre-LUC past?
Long Long Ago in a Galaxy Far Far Away.....
Back in the " Dark Ages" before Y2K, I saw some old Chopard Classique Collection watches in the boutiques but they were not as complicated as this one.
They had F. Piguet movements.
Since then, the only places where I have seen this model are the Chopard museums in Fleurier and Geneva or in old catalogues.
During the 'quartz crisis' of the 1970s, Chopard honoured a business agreement to take delivery of mechanical movements from a 3rd party supplier despite no customer demand and brands closing around them. That is why Chopard kept thousands of 'New Old Stock' mechanical movements in storage, to be used "as needed".
The modern trend of customer demand is for "in house" movements; those are now fabricated in Chopard Manufacture and Fleurier Ebauches next door.
Regards,
MTF
This is quite interesting!
Do they still have some of the stock? For some historic re-editions?
Seems a visit to the museum is essential
Seems a visit to the museum is essential