Perpetually appealing
Angus Davies reviews the incredible Rose Gold Chopard L.U.C Perpetual Twin replica watch, a watch replica which combines a perpetual calendar, tourbillon and large date display within a gorgeous 43mm diameter, 18-carat rose gold case.This year’s ‘must-have’ present often becomes tomorrow’s refuse tip fodder. The fickleness of transient tastes confers a high quotient of obsolescence with many Christmas gifts.
Wristwatches can also see their initial allure wane to a greater or lesser extent. Walking around the exhibition stands at SIHH and Baselworld, I often ponder how many of the watches I covet, will continue to appeal to me after a period of time has elapsed. Will they continue to appeal to my sensibilities in years to come?
In a few weeks time, after Christmas presents have been unwrapped, queues will form in department stores with hordes of people returning unwanted presents. The insincere words of gratitude, uttered at the dining table in between unseemly mouthfuls of turkey and trimmings, inevitably morph into requests for cash refunds on Boxing Day.
In 2013, best fake Chopard L.U.C Perpetual T at Baselworld. I was immediately smitten. This exemplar of haute horlogerie combines an array of complications, fine craftsmanship and alluring aesthetics. Since its launch, I have continued to look at its beautiful face and sculptured torso with absolute adoration. Indeed, my affection for this timepiece has never diminished with the passage of time. Recently, I had the good fortune to become intimately acquainted with its 43mm 18-carat rose gold case and placed it upon my appreciative wrist in order to undertake an in-depth review. I was not to be disappointed.
The dial
This watch replica is unmistakably a Chopard L.U.C timepiece. The dauphine-fusée hour and minute hands and large applied Roman numerals, denoting the hours, are design characteristics shared in common with several other L.U.C models.
At 6 o’clock, the tourbillon cage is revealed. The upper tourbillon bridge is intricately formed in stainless steel and mirror-polished. Each facet of its form is meticulously executed with a distinct absence of compromise.
On several L.U.C models a sunray motif emanates from the brand’s nomenclature. However, in this instance, Chopard has adorned the dial with a ‘hand-cut guilloché’ pattern conferring a peerless profundity to proceedings. This is a dial which exudes sophistication and impeccable breeding.
The large date display consists of black numerals against two crisp white discs. The font employed is highly legible, a trait seen on all surfaces.
Encircling the main dial is a railroad minute track, augmenting ease of read-off.
The L.U.C Perpetual T is an exemplar of sublime dial design. It masterfully plays with light using applied numerals, guilloché motifs and a mirror-polished tourbillon bridge. Moreover, it remains highly practical, with all indications simple to interpret within fractions of a second, proving perfect for daily use. Lastly, and quite simply, it is achingly beautiful.
The L.U.C Perpetual T is equipped with several complications, but somehow it never overburdens the wearer. All elements of the dial are succinctly delivered, imparting the indications in user-friendly portions of information. I have long been an admirer of L.U.C timepieces, they always exhibit practicality and style in agreeable union.
The inventory of functions on this timepiece includes a perpetual calendar, a large date, a power-reserve indicator and a small seconds positioned above the tourbillon cage at 6 o’clock.
Located at 3 o’clock, the first of two slate grey subdials displays the leap year at its core and the month around its perimeter. Positioned opposite, at 9 o’clock, a day/night indicator displayed at the centre of a second subdial, with the day of the week shown around the periphery of the slate grey counter.
The case
The 18-carat rose gold case bestows a superb wrist presence without ever appearing outré. This watch replica does not overtly flaunt its no-compromise creation, it gently engages with discerning eyes. Indeed, for those seeking crass, overt and conspicuous consumption, I would suggest this watch replica is not for you.
The case shares much in common with other L.U.C models in terms of its short, curving lugs which encourage the strap to envelop the wrist in a cosseting embrace. There are few watches which can usurp the L.U.C Perpetual T when it comes to wearer comfort.
Despite exhibiting a muted, graceful air, the majority of surfaces on the L.U.C Perpetual T are highly polished, evincing an ebullient note to the overall character of the watch. However, the caseband features vertical satin brush, providing an agreeable contradistinction.
On both sides of the caseband are correctors. The 18-carat rose gold crown neatly protrudes from the caseband, proving simple to grip but without fear of snagging on items or impinging upon the wrist.
The movement
Chopard is a vertically integrated company manifest with this manufacture, L.U.C Calibre 02.15-L movement. Whilst some components of a Chopard begin life at Chopard Manufacture in Fleurier, the assembly and regulation of this model takes place at the company’s Meyrin site. Indeed, this watch replica bears the prestigious Poinçon de Genève, Geneva Seal, and COSC certification.
The Perpetual T includes Chopard’s exclusive Quattro technology, consisting of four barrels arranged in ‘two sets of two stacked barrels’. This delivers an impressive 216 hour power reserve. Moreover, to avoid cluttering the dial, a power reserve indicator is positioned on the movement.
Examining the movement via the exhibition caseback, its no-compromise creation can be readily discerned. Two large bridges sport impeccable Côtes de Genève motif with each stripe beautifully defined and smooth. The anglage is magnificent, conferring a brilliant gleam against the adjacent horizontal surfaces of the bridges. Several jewels are set in gold chatons while the spaces in between the bridges reveal circular grained wheels. The screws have chamfered rims and slots. The jewel and screw sinks are highly polished. Indeed, everything is distilled to an incredibly high standard.
The movement is equipped with Chopard’s exclusive Variner® balance. The regulation of the movement is performed by adjusting the four inertia blocks positioned in-board on the rim of the balance wheel. By locating the blocks in-board, the aerodynamics of the balance are improved, mitigating the disruption of the airflow and hence according greater precision.
Closing remarks
Chopard has, once again, produced a highly wearable complicated timepiece with its L.U.C Perpetual T. It proffers the allure of numerous complications, including the highly covetable perpetual calendar, a large date and a tourbillon, but never overburdens the wearer with too much information. Indeed, despite being equipped with numerous indications, this watch replica delivers a clean, highly legible display, imbued with exquisite soupçons of delicious detail.
The high quotient of craftsmanship can be readily discerned, a fact reinforced with the highly respected Poinçon de Genève gracing its movement and case.
Technical specification
- Model: Chopard L.U.C Perpetual T
- Reference: 161940-5001
- Case: 18-carat rose gold; diameter 43mm; height 14.90mm; water resistant to 3 bar (30 metres); sapphire crystal to front and caseback.
- Functions: Hours; minutes; small seconds; day; large date; month; day/night indication; leap-year indication; power-reserve indication; perpetual calendar; tourbillon
- Movement: L.U.C Calibre 02.15-L; hand-wound movement; frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz); 31jewels; power reserve 216 hours
- Strap: Hand-Sewn brown alligator leather strap with cognac-coloured alligator lining presented with an 18-carat rose gold pin buckle
- Price: £128,940 (RRP as at 23.11.2015)
I have dreamt of owning a Chopard L.U.C Perpetual T since its launch. The magnitude of my desire for this exceptional watch replica has never abated, unlike several watches whose profound appeal has diminished with time. Indeed, this is a Chopard L.U.C watch replica which proves perpetually appealing and is unlikely to suffer the indignity of being this year’s ‘must-have’ and next year’s ‘has-been’.