Chopard has unveiled a new tonneau-shaped chronometer in the L.U.C collection called the L.U.C Heritage Grand Cru.

The “form” chronometer in 18-carat rose gold features pronounced curves conceived in the same manner as an exceptional wine and relying on the finest watchmaking skills of the Swiss brand. 

Ultra-slim, beautifully rounded and supremely elegant, the L.U.C Heritage Grand Cru is the only tonneau-shaped watch wound by an automatic movement, and a nod to the pocket watches created by the brand’s founder Louis-Ulysse Chopard. 

Just as a Grand Cru wine is classified and certified, the watch’s excellent craftsmanship is attested by the “Poinçon de Genève” quality hallmark. 

The watch was conceptualised by Chopard Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele. 

In line with the first L.U.C tonneau watch released in 2001, it’s the only tonneau-shaped watch to be equipped with an automatic movement with micro-rotor winding. The understated elegance of its dial, its nicely balanced proportions, the finishing of its case and movement, make it a must-have for the modern epicurean gentleman.

The L.U.C Heritage Grand Cru pays tribute to the historical pocket watches that forged the renown of the maison founded by Louis-Ulysse Chopard in 1860. 

It is thus endowed with authentic emotionally charged elements. It picks up the pure white porcelain type dial bearing black Roman numerals. Its minute track follows the central part of the dial and the small seconds at 6 o’clock compose an ensemble distinguished by a sense of nuance and equilibrium. 

Poinçon de Genève certified, this chronometer is a symbol of respect for the fine craftsmanship and the fundamentals of traditional watchmaking as exercised by the Geneva-based maison. It is in this spirit that Chopard has designed this watch with its highly distinctive shape reminiscent of the oak barrels from the forests of Bertrange, Jupille and Tronçais, which transform great vintages into exceptional wines. 

The tonneau is a traditional shape of watch case that requires particular mastery. Part rectangle, part circle, the L.U.C Heritage Grand Cru is less strict than the former and every bit as gentle as the latter. The maximum width of the case is almost equivalent to its height, thus ensuring a generously ample dial. The care lavished on the design ensures that the Lwatch exudes authentic masculine sensuality.

The case and crystal of the watch are domed, while the case is ultra-thin with a maximum thickness of 7.75 mm, close to that of the L.U.C XPS models. 

This slenderness begins inside the L.U.C Heritage Grand Cru, which houses the 3.3 mm thick calibre 97.01-L. It is one of the rare “form” movements to be housed in a “form” case. It is adorned with the most advanced finishing performed in the manufacture: the bevelling, polishing, circular graining and Côtes de Genève meet the high demands of the Poinçon de Genève criteria. 

Automatic winding is accomplished by an engraved 22-carat gold micro-rotor, driving two stacked barrels based on Chopard’s patented Twin technology. Together, they guarantee 65 hours of running time and supply sufficiently constant energy to enable calibre 97.01-L to beat with chronometer-worthy precision. 

The Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) has certified the operation of all the 97.01-L calibres equipping the L.U.C Heritage Grand Cru.

Unique in many respects, the L.U.C Heritage Grand Cru is intended for distinguished men who collect both great wines and exceptional pieces: the ultimate modern epicurean, Chopard concludes.