L.U.C Strike One Titanium

Chopard unveils the L.U.C Strike One Titanium, equipped with a chime‑in‑passing. As its name suggests, the feather‑light 40 mm timepiece is encased in titanium, uniting refined aesthetics with the crystalline acoustic purity delivered by Chopard’s patented monobloc sapphire gong system. Crafted entirely from this industry-leading light, durable and scratch-resistant Grade 5 titanium, the case’s exceptional hardness makes it particularly challenging to machine, requiring specialised tools, elevated precision and savoir faire. It is also crafted from a single block of titanium, with a vertically satin brushed finishing. The polished bezel and case-back create a harmonious contrast. Despite the technical complexity of the mechanism inside, the watch maintains a remarkably slim 9.86 mm profile. A discreet pusher integrated into the crown allows the wearer to activate or silence the chime, preserving the streamlined purity of the design. The dial is crafted from 18 carat ethical gold and features a hand guilloché honeycomb motif honouring founder Louis Ulysse Chopard, who adopted the symbolism of the bee and its hive early in the Maison’s history as a symbol of a Manufacture working together. Its salmon toned sheen contrasts with rhodium plated chevron markers and Dauphine hands. At 12 o’clock, a small disc indicates the chiming status – white when active, ruthenium when silenced – while an aperture between 12 and 1 reveals the hammer that strikes the passing hours. A hand stitched anthracite alligator strap complements the titanium case and dial tones while allowing the central hue to stand out. Through the sapphire crystal case-back, the L.U.C 96.32 L calibre reveals refined hand finishing. Chronometer certified and meeting the exacting criteria of the Poinçon de Genève, it features a micro rotor in engraved 22 carat ethical gold, twin stacked barrels (Chopard Twin Technology), a swan’s neck regulator, and bridges decorated with Côtes de Genève. Its 65 hour power reserve remains available even when the chiming mechanism is active. First introduced in 2022 within the ‘Sound of Eternity’ trilogy, this calibre drives a chime-in-passing that emits a single, pure note each time the minute hand reaches 12. At the core of its acoustic performance is Chopard’s patented monobloc sapphire construction. Thanks to this innovation, the use of Grade 5 titanium for the case – or indeed any other metal – does not affect acoustic quality.