With its hunter-style —a.k.a officer style— case construction that features a protecting lid that serves as the case back and that can be opened or closed to appreciate the movement, the Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer Watch ref. 161242-1001 comes with an exquisite dial hand-guilloché honeycomb motif on the dial and the case back that is a direct link to the ‘motto’ of the Chopard manufacture. Cased in 18K white gold this is a perfect time and date timepiece for those looking for an elegant dress watch that harbors a wealth of secrets and symbols. The 40 mm round case with smooth bezel and sharp lugs pays perfect tribute to one of the first watches released by Chopard in 1996, the L.U.C 1860, additionally, this timepiece is Poinçon de Genève certified.
The Dial
The Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer Watch features a beautiful silvered dial that comes with a little extra touch to make it more special. With a satin-brushed periphery with applied markers and railway minute track, the dial features a central honeycomb guilloché motif that honors the company’s first logo. Back in 1860, Louis-Ulysse Chopard chose the beehive as a symbol of hard work and also because the area surrounding the Chopard manufacture in Fleurier is full of beehives. Additionally, the dial presents a prominent ‘12’ applied numeral as well as a snailed running seconds indicator with date aperture at 6 o’clock.
The Hunter-Style Case
Available in a 250-piece limited edition —although Chopard’s website states 100-piece— and with a relatively slender case in 18K white gold, the Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer watch is highly polished throughout. Mirroring the front of the watch, the hunter-style case back comes engraved with the same type of honeycomb motif that appears at the center of the dial. However, the biggest surprise comes after opening the case back lid that reveals the automatic micro-rotor movement powering this watch.
After opening the lid, not only one can drool after the exquisitely finished movement inside, but one can also appreciate the beautiful hand-engraved honeycomb Chopard manufacture logo that was established in 1860 by its original founder Louis-Ulysse Chopard.
The Movement
Fully visible via its hunter-style case back, the beating heart inside the Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer watch is the COSC ultra-thin automatic L.U.C Calibre 96.01-L with 29 jewels and which beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph with a 65-hour power reserve thanks to its Twin technology —a Chopard-patented system combining two coaxial barrels. This super slender movement measures only 3.3 mm thick and is beautifully finished with a 22K white gold micro rotor.
On the Wrist & Price
On the wrist, the Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer Watch ref. 161242-1001 wears true to its size with extremely elegance. A great looking watch by Chopard that unfortunately happens to be priced too high for what you are getting. Nonetheless, this is a very good looking timepiece with a lot of bells and whistles if you are looking for something relatively special and a conversation piece. The watch is delivered on a hand-sewn black alligator strap with 18K white gold pin buckle.
Sticker Price $30,300 USD. For more info on Chopard click here.
