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 specialized 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 guilloché honeycomb motif hand honoring 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 handstitched 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 caliber 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 caliber 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.