Chopard’s L.U.C Grand Strike Is Its Most Complicated Chiming Watch

In addition to the proprietary sapphire crystal gongs, a tourbillon, stop-seconds function, and a Grand Sonnier, Petit Sonnier, and Minute Repeater Chopard’s latest Tour de Force timepiece with Cosque and Poynon de Genevieve certifications. Unveiled today at Dubai Watch Week, it marks the most complicated chiming watch from the Swiss watchmaker and marks the first time Chopard has made a grand sonnet. The LUC Grand Strike required 11,000 hours of research and development, of which 2,500 hours were invested in fine-tuning the many components during the prototyping phase alone to ensure they worked together. Its dial-less display puts that virtuosity front and center where the 686’s many components—all encased in a 43 by 14.08 mm 18-karat gold case—are encased.

Despite its apparent complexity, it has been thoughtfully constructed for ease of use. For example: the slider, which is normally used to activate the minute repeater, has been upgraded so that the user can easily switch between the three modes with a single touch point. Here, you can change between the “P” for Grand Sonny, the “P” for Petite Sonny, and the “S” for Silence. Just below is the fluted bassinet style crown where you can activate the minute repeater via a button in the center or wind the barrel for movement on one side and the barrel for the sonny mechanism on the other. At the bottom of the dial is a 60-second tourbillon located on the cage at 6 o’clock with a small seconds that comes with a stop-seconds function for precise time setting.

But what really makes this watch stand out are its sapphire crystal gongs that work with two steel hammers (pictured above left between 9 and 11 o’clock). This preparation worked with the Haute Ecole du Passage, d’Ingrérie et d’Architecture (Happia) with its signature and nuanced notation of the C#-f ♮ chord with the notes. Traditionally, a sonic chime emits sound by means of hammers striking a steel gong that transmits sound energy through vibrational waves that travel through the dial crystal and through the air, causing energy to be lost through the gong attachments, movement, and case, thus reducing the impact of the sound. Here, Chopard combines the gongs and the dial crystal, which are produced from a single monobloc of sapphire crystal, so that when they are struck by the hammer they vibrate in concert with the dial crystal, avoiding the usual loss of sound energy through the movement and case. The result is a crisper, clearer sound.

Additionally, sapphire crystal gongs use a square cross-section to maximize contact with the hammer and channel vibrations in distinct, layered ways, giving a bulkier and more textured object than traditional round steel gongs. Combined with the monocrystalline hardness of the material – that resists deformation and creates a resonant, resonant tone.

Chopard developed five new patents to support and protect its extraordinary sonnet: two ensure intuitive, hassle-free use by allowing the movement to be activated or modes changed at any time without damaging the movement, while three focus on when an energy-saving clutch is engaged and reduces the sonnet power reserve. Torque is insufficient to prevent imperfect chimes, and a newly designed hammer geometry reduces shock to sapphire gongs without compromising sound quality.

Beyond its vast technical achievements, with a total of 10 patents (some of which are still pending), its Pointe de Genevieve certification is the icing on the cake. The prestigious Hallmark is awarded to watches assembled and managed in the Canton of Geneva, meeting the strictest standards of craftsmanship, quality, constructional integrity, durability and finish. Components are finished in German silver with the main plate and bridges. The same material can be found in Chopard’s full strike watches and is only used in their rare creations. And, when the maison considered using sapphire for the tourbillon bridge, it ultimately landed on stainless steel, which he felt was more effective.

Despite the incredible amount of haute horology packed inside, the movement manages a 70-hour power reserve. It is both a workhorse and a work of art. Furthermore, it is proof that Chopard’s manufacture in Fleurier, Switzerland is positively flourishing.

The piece is not a limited edition, but will be limited in production To the tune of only 3 pieces a year.