Chopard L.U.C Regulator: much more than a regulator
In the year 2015, the Swiss watch manufacture Chopard revisits one of his models 'lighthouse': its famous L.U.C Regulator who returns in a new box rose gold (43 mm) which hosts a home manual winding calibre that in addition to the controller displays a power reserve (216 hours) and an indication of GMT. All certified COSC and hallmark of Geneva!
The regulator is a classic in this collection. A watch of amateur watchmaking and Aesthete who wishes to display good taste and (safe) mechanical values on the wrist... After presenting a first model in 2006, Chopard returns in miniaturising the size of a wristwatch mechanism "regulator".
This year, steel box was replaced by a model in rose gold of contemporary size of 43 mm. The Regulator Chopard movement is unique by the implantation of its indications. Unlike almost all of regulators that display the hours at noon, the Chopard places at 3 o'clock. Malin! They are so beyond of a shirt sleeve and are legible in all circumstances. The design of the L.U.C Regulator of 2006 is replaced by new indications to refined typography. The Golden minute hand remains at the centre. But the rest of the dial is showing complete symmetry.
Indeed, its four cardinal points are each occupied by an indication. At noon, power reserve indicator, 3 h are the hours and at 6 o'clock, a small second defeated the measure. Finally, note the indication of a second time zone at 0900. This GMT function is controlled by a corrector, discreetly push in the side of the case. The date, visible through a window, is located at 4:30. Innovative typography in this Sun-brushed dial Arabic numerals is typical of the L.U.C collection.
In addition to its appearance outside the norm due to the independence of each of its needles, the regulator is the result of a long quest for accuracy. A quest that began in 1714 with the Longitude Act, Decree of the British Parliament who promised a large sum which would determine with precision the means to find the position of a ship at sea.
If it's John Harrison that we the first regulator; It is a gap that appears in the history of watchmaking, leaving the creativity and innovation of the masters and watch craftsmen to devise watches worthy of a long and perilous pursuit of space and time.
High precision clocks, regulators were from the end of the 19th century, vested in a prestigious use: give the reference time in watch manufacturing. To be clearly visible by all adjusters, the hands for hours, minutes and seconds were distributed in different locations of the dial. This principle of display is since known as the regulator.
The L.U.CEUM, located in Fleurier, Chopard Museum is custodian of three regulators of importance, signed by big names like Berthoud and Blondeau. Moreover, they are a source of inspiration for the development of watches... Their precision, their reliability, their reference value and their ability to pass through the ages are all guiding principles.
Note that each L.U.C 98.02 - L of the L.U.C Regulator movement has successfully undergone the tests of control official Switzerland Chronometry (COSC) that guarantee a chronometric precision. The watch is therefore authorized to display "Chronometer" on its dial. In addition, his box and his movement have passed the tests of the Poincon de Geneve. It certifies the technical and aesthetic of the watch as a whole, comprising in particular the high level of finish of its mechanical components.