Chopard places its flying tourbillon at the heart of a feminine timepiece

L.U.C FLYING T TWIN LADIES

Chopard manufacture places its flying tourbillon at the heart of a feminine timepiece

hopard Manufacture has enriched its range of complications with its first automatic movement to feature a flying tourbillon, L.U.C 96.24-L. This calibre featuring Chopard Twin technology with two stacked barrels and highly precise adjustments – notably a stop-seconds function – now powers the two new L.U.C Flying T Twin Ladies models in ethical 18-carat rose gold or diamond-set platinum.

Ultra-thin thanks to the slender movement size, these two timepieces feature a 35-millimetre diameter perfectly suited to women’s wrists. Extremely refined both mechanically and aesthetically, these two 25-piece limited series reflect the stunning dexterity displayed by the artisans of emotion at Chopard Manufacture, as confirmed by the “Chronometer” and Poinçon de Genève certifications.

While the L.U.C Flying T Twin Ladies timepieces may house an exceptional movement, they are first and foremost distinguished by their slenderness and the refinement of their dials. Featuring an ultra-thin case measuring just 7.47 millimetres, crafted in ethical 18-carat rose gold or platinum and fully set on the flanks, lugs, interhorn spaces, crown and bezel, the new L.U.C Flying T Twin Ladies watches measure 35 millimetres in diameter. Guided by a quest for balance and adapted to women›s wrists, such proportions place these two creations among the smallest flying tourbillon watches on the market.

The flying tourbillon takes centre-stage role with a wide 6 o’clock opening providing a view through the movement. The lightness of the flying tourbillon creates an effect of transparency and depth, while the tourbillon carriage is topped by a small seconds hand.

In the gold version, the tourbillon opening is cut out from a textured mother-of-pearl dial, adorned with hour-markers set with brilliant-cut diamonds – except at 12 o’clock, which is indicated by golden Arabic numerals. The dial of the platinum variation is richly set with a paving of 282 diamonds centred on the tourbillon carriage.

The case houses the innovative L.U.C calibre 96.24-L, Chopard Manufacture’s first automatic movement with a flying tourbillon. A flying tourbillon is characterised by the absence of an upper bridge. Held from below, it is naturally thinner and appears to be flying – hence its name. The L.U.C 96.24-L calibre is only 3.30 mm thick, identical to that of the L.U.C 96.01-L, Chopard Manufacture’s first calibre created 25 years ago, of which it is an evolved version. Now representing a significant watch industry landmark, it retains its fundamental characteristics: the diameter, the 65-hour power reserve – driven by two stacked barrels using Chopard Twin technology – and its automatic winding via a 22-carat gold microrotor. On the platinum version, the artisans have added the ultimate touch of refinement by setting this micro-rotor with diamonds.

The L.U.C 96.24-L movement is chronometer-certified and features a stop-seconds function, which is extremely rare on a tourbillon, enabling the time to be set with perfect precision. The L.U.C Flying T Twin Ladies models are also certified by the prestigious Poinçon de Genève, testifying to the fine craftsmanship involved in their making.