Comments:
Is the Chrono One (SS) still the one to get as NOS several years later?
My first post at the forum, so I apologize in advance if I accidentally step on toes or unwittingly violate any unspoken rules.
After some deliberation I decided on a delayed birthday present for myself in the form of a chronograph - the first 'nice watch' to be added to my collection. The Breitling Aerospace and Montblanc Timewalker GMT that I have now both have an emotional value (as they were gifts) but would slowly like to start a proper collection.
As I have always been fond of chronos that will likely be the first addition, hence my question. While I am aware that this is the Chopard section in the forum, I guess most members do not strictly follow a monobrand approach, so help may be at hand.
I found a NOS LUC Chrono One in SS (168520-3001) that has been much praised here in the past and really like the look and feel of the watch. The other contenders on the shortlist would be a Glashüttwe original Senator Sixties Square Chronograph, a Breguet Type XX / XXI, The AP Millenary (25897 ST) and the Vacheron Constantin Royal Eagle Chrono / Overseas Chrono. The LUC would be the most expensive option of the lot.
The question would be if the LUC Chrono One is in your opinion still the best choice (most of the posts about it here are about 4-5 years old) and if there are any specific issues to take care off with a NOS watch?
Any advice will be much appreciated!
After some deliberation I decided on a delayed birthday present for myself in the form of a chronograph - the first 'nice watch' to be added to my collection. The Breitling Aerospace and Montblanc Timewalker GMT that I have now both have an emotional value (as they were gifts) but would slowly like to start a proper collection.
As I have always been fond of chronos that will likely be the first addition, hence my question. While I am aware that this is the Chopard section in the forum, I guess most members do not strictly follow a monobrand approach, so help may be at hand.
I found a NOS LUC Chrono One in SS (168520-3001) that has been much praised here in the past and really like the look and feel of the watch. The other contenders on the shortlist would be a Glashüttwe original Senator Sixties Square Chronograph, a Breguet Type XX / XXI, The AP Millenary (25897 ST) and the Vacheron Constantin Royal Eagle Chrono / Overseas Chrono. The LUC would be the most expensive option of the lot.
The question would be if the LUC Chrono One is in your opinion still the best choice (most of the posts about it here are about 4-5 years old) and if there are any specific issues to take care off with a NOS watch?
Any advice will be much appreciated!
Welcome!
Welcome Kristjan to our Chopard Forum.
For a ground up constructed integrated chronograph, the stainless steel L.U.C ChronoOne is really a great deal when it was launched.
End of the day, please buy the watch you like, as you will be seeing it on your wrist often.
Kong
For a ground up constructed integrated chronograph, the stainless steel L.U.C ChronoOne is really a great deal when it was launched.
End of the day, please buy the watch you like, as you will be seeing it on your wrist often.
Kong
Yes, absolutely, without a doubt!
What did you expect to hear in the Chopard Forum, Kristjan, something else? 
Kidding aside, there is no right answer. The Chrono One is steel is a fantastic watch. If you didn't already read Kong's great post [here] from 2009, it is a great description with detail as to the case, movement and limited number.
The GO, Breguet and AP you mention are each great watches as well. Perhaps others will comment. For me, the Chrono One is particularly interesting at this moment because Chopard has just released its first handwound chronograph movement in the 1963 Chronograph. It is clearly derivative of the Caliber 11 CF of the Chrono One, as is the movement in the new Superfast chronograph.
Hard to answer the question about "issues" with a NOS watch. It would depend very much on who the seller is, how the watch was stored, how long ago it left the factory, etc. It could indeed need a service.
Good luck. Keep us posted. Oh, and welcome!
Best,
CaliforniaJed
Chopard Chrono One vs Audemars Piguet, Breguet, Glashuette Original, Vacheron Constantin
Kristjan,
This message has been edited by MTF on 2014-05-31 03:16:06
Welcome here.
Kong and Jed have answered already about the mechanical values and NOS seller's characteristics to look out for.
Of the 5 brands you listed, I have inspected all 5 watches, visited 4 Manufactures and own watches from 3 of the brands.
The 5 brands represent the high end of their sectors or financial groups: Breguet and GO with SWATCH Group, VC with Richemont Group, AP is not yet part of the Big-4 luxury conglomerates but large private and institutional shareholders have much diluted family holdings. Only Chopard is truly private with one family control.
Does it make any difference to the watch owner? After all, we are only interested in the product, right?
There must be passionate and experienced workers in all brands. The difference is the corporate culture. From personal discussions with people who have worked in Chopard and the other conglomerate brands, there is a big difference. Sure, the raison d'etre of business is to profit and all businesses have to first survive before any other objective can be served.
One guy said, "At Brand X, I learnt about making and selling luxury watches by being an accountant but in Chopard I learn about making and selling luxury products by being a maker and seller of passion and art". I paraphrased and summarised the conversation into one pithy sentence for journalistic effect but you get my point. 
At Chopard, decisions are made carefully by the owner family. It's not gambling with shareholders' investment but "risking my family's future", as one family member told me. Whether the decisions are right or wrong, the key point is that ultimately, one or two of the family members have ultimate responsibility. The buck really stops here.
Thus, when I look at my Chopard watches or the current Mrs MTF's jewellery, I don't just see gold, steel or sapphire. I see the passion and PuristS characteristics that drive this brand.
There will be critics of any system so I am not saying its all perfection at Chopard but they care about rectifying any issues for customer satisfaction. Just make sure your seller is authorised and the watch will be looked after by Chopard, if anything goes wrong.
I prefer the new hand-wind in-house chronograph but the steel automatic Chrono One is a good deal for others.
Below, you can see the PuristS version of LUC1963 Chrono HW for order now to be delivered end-2014.
Regards,
Melvyn
Well said, MTF. Particularly
...this:
"Thus, when I look at my Chopard watches or the current Mrs MTF's jewellery, I don't just see gold, steel or sapphire. I see the passion and PuristS characteristics that drive this brand."
That was spot on.
Best,
CaliforniaJed
"Thus, when I look at my Chopard watches or the current Mrs MTF's jewellery, I don't just see gold, steel or sapphire. I see the passion and PuristS characteristics that drive this brand."
That was spot on.
Best,
CaliforniaJed
Thanks!
Thanks to all for your kind welcome and the helpful responses. It will probably take me another couple of weeks to come to the final decision but will keep you posted. There is bound to be a Chopard in the collection sooner or later, with the LUC Sport being another candidate (albeit not in the chrono space).
In the meantime, if anyone also has experiences with any of the other mentioned candidates, I am all ears
In the meantime, if anyone also has experiences with any of the other mentioned candidates, I am all ears