L.U.C XPS PRUSSIAN BLUE
Ref. Number:
168629-3002
Among the timepieces marking the 30
th anniversary of the Chopard Manufacture in Fleurier, the L.U.C collection welcomes a new ultra thin L.U.C XPS model, whose understated, refined aesthetics are paired with a sophisticated mechanism featuring certified precision.
Crafted in Lucent Steel™ and matched with a brown calfskin leather strap, the case stands out for its ideal proportions: a thinness of 7.2 mm and a 40-mm diameter, allowing for a wide dial. The latter adopts a sector style construction inspired by 1930s design, strongly influenced by Art Deco and Bauhaus movements. Two concentric rings structure the hours and minutes display, while radial indexes create rigorous, highly legible geometry. Shifting between deep shadows and bright highlights, the dial is adorned with a sunburst satin finish that reveals all the richness of “Prussian Blue”. Discovered by accident in the 17
th century by a Berlin color merchant (the city then being the capital of Prussia), this deeply saturated hue pays tribute to the unique past of the Canton of Neuchâtel, where Chopard established its Fleurier Manufacture 30 years ago. Between 1707 and 1857, this territory was under the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Prussia while simultaneously becoming a Swiss canton in 1815 — a status unique in Europe. By choosing this emblematic pigment, prized for its stability, depth, and ability to capture light, Chopard weaves a symbolic link between the watch and its place of origin.
The extreme thinness of the case is made possible by the L.U.C 96.12 L caliber, a direct evolution of the first movement designed and produced by the Chopard Manufacture in Fleurier in 1996. At just 3.30-mm thin, this automatic movement integrates a 22-carat gold micro-rotor enabling the efficient winding of two superimposed barrels thanks to Chopard Twin technology, delivering a 65-hour power reserve. The caliber features a stop seconds mechanism for precise time setting. It is chronometer certified (COSC), a testament to its stringent precision. The small seconds at 6 o’clock, characteristic of the XPS model, is not merely a stylistic element; it meets the precision evaluation criteria established by this independent certification body.
