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HUBLOT PAYS TRIBUTE TO SAUDI
from Global Citizen 62
L.U.C FULL STRIKE TOURBILLON
The L.U.C Haute Horlogerie collection has been enriched with a new technical prodigy, as this L.U.C Full Strike model adds a tourbillon with a sapphire bridge to the monobloc sapphire minute repeater inherent to the L.U.C Full Strike series. This 42.5 mm timepiece in ethical 18-carat rose gold is equipped with the new chronometer-certified L.U.C 08.02-L movement. The extremely accomplished level of finishing, both on the movement and the case, has earned it the Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark. Its dial, in ruthenium grey-coloured hand-guilloché rose gold, opens to reveal the two complications that make this 20-piece limited edition so sophisticated. Endorsed by virtuoso brothers Renaud and Gautier Capuçon, its acoustic richness achieves an exceptional level of quality, while perfect homogeneity makes it an unparalleled timepiece combining a stunning conceptual challenge with supremely accomplished execution.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of its creation, the L.U.C collection is welcoming a new flagship. The L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon model takes its place among the most sophisticated and most innovative Grand Complication watches ever created to date. It follows in the footsteps of Chopard’s L.U.C Full Strike minute repeater timepieces, of which the first ethical rose gold edition was awarded the “Aiguille d’Or” best-in-show award at the 2017 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. These timepieces feature a unique Chopard-patented system in which the gongs and sapphire crystal form a single entity, which resonates in its entirety to produce the chime.
At 42.5 mm in diameter and 12.58 mm thick, the L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon is distinguished by well-balanced proportions contributing to the characteristic elegance of the L.U.C collection. With its interplay of grey and gold colours between the case and strap, dial and hands, as well as between the movement’s steel and nickel silver components, this watch flaunts its aesthetic perfection at every level.
Fascinating dial openings
For the first time in the history of the Full Strike, the L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon model has an almost entirely solid dial. Instead of broadly revealing the watch’s internal mechanisms, it reserves its openings for the two horological complications that make this piece so special. The first cut-out between 9 and 11 o’clock, highlights the two mirror-polished steel hammers whose striking generates the chime. The other, at 6 o’clock, reveals the tourbillon of the L.U.C 08.02-L calibre. Thanks to a cross-through sapphire
crystal tourbillon bridge, nothing obscures the view of the spiralshaped carriage bridge. The final touch, made possible by the use of sapphire with its multiple properties, lies in the four rounded notches. This L.U.C signature tourbillon bridge is derived from a design by the founder of the Maison, Louis-Ulysse Chopard.
The dial is made from a base plate in solid gold and this material remains visible along the openings, featuring mirror-polished edges. It also features a hand-guilloché radiating floral pattern belonging to the collection’s aesthetic repertoire that is then ruthenium grey-coloured by means of a galvanic treatment. It is complemented by applied Roman numeral hour-markers and hands, all of which are gilded in a rose gold matching the case. The latter, like all Chopard’s watch and jewellery creations since 2018, is crafted from ethical gold.
Two majestic complications
Chopard Manufacture watchmakers have placed the tourbillon of the L.U.C 08.02-L calibre at 6 o’clock, beneath the seconds hand. Its high-quality steel carriage picks up the distinctive spiral design – a signature of L.U.C tourbillons. This regulator further enhances the precision of the movement, a subject to which Chopard’s Co-President, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, takes a resolutely uncompromising approach. It combats the adverse effects of gravity on the balance-spring and escapement by placing them in a variety of spatial positions. The tourbillon placed on the Chopard Manufacture minute repeater mechanism thereby contributes to the extreme precision of L.U.C Calibre 08.02-L as well as to the obtention of chronometer certification from the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute.
The L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon is not a mere modification of the L.U.C Full Strike. Moving from a calibre comprising 533 components to one with 568 is not an addition, but a revolution. The decision to include a tourbillon regulator required a complete development process that involved rethinking interactions and layouts. With such a delicate complication subject to as many parameters as the minute repeater, the Chopard Manufacture workshops had to ensure that this tourbillon would not in any way modify the acoustic qualities of the chime. This equilibrium is preserved by the sapphire gongs that are all-of-a-piece with the watch glass, which acts as a resonator. Moreover, the fact that the minute repeater has its own barrel naturally eliminates any energy-related interference, while the presence of the tourbillon does not alter the striking reserve.
L.U.C Calibre 08.02-L inherits the unprecedented advances featured in the L.U.C 08.01-L: the first minute repeater movement introduced by Chopard Manufacture in 2016. In addition to its resonant structure, whose role is taken on by the sapphire crystal, several innovative technical systems have been added. It also benefits from the innovations introduced in L.U.C Calibre 02.01-L in 2003. A total of seven are the subject of patents. In a minute repeater mechanism, the energy used by the strikework is provided each time the arming lever is activated. Here, the energy comes from a separate, dedicated barrel wound directly by the crown. It enables the L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon to chime a maximum of 12 times the most complex and energy-intensive time: namely 12 hours and 59 minutes. This exceptional power reserve is due to several factors. Benefiting from a patented clutch-lever device, it ensures that the strikework gear train is blocked to avoid losing power reserve during the information capture that controls the minute repeater.
Keen to preserve the user-friendliness of the minute repeater and to make its operation as secure as possible, Chopard Manufacture has introduced a number of innovative systems. Thus, if the barrel no longer has sufficient force to power the minute repeater, a safety mechanism blocks its release. In addition, Chopard has filed a patent for a new strikework-activation device. As soon as it is activated, the pusher is disengaged, thereby making it impossible to disturb the running of the minute repeater or to damage it.
Orchestrated talents
So as to optimise and perpetuate the acoustic richness of the monobloc sapphire crystal/gong system derived from the L.U.C Full Strike, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele has initiated a new approach. In 2018, while attending a concert given by violinist Renaud Capuçon, he realised that a minute repeater watch should be designed as a musical instrument and should deliver something more – namely emotion.
Renaud Capuçon is a virtuoso of his time as well as a specialist in acoustics and sound – just like his brother, cellist Gautier Capuçon. Both play instruments that are several hundred years old and which embody a perfection and uniqueness that have stood the test of time. Karl-Friedrich Scheufele decided to call upon the two soloists to join forces with Professor Romain Boulandet – head of the Applied Acoustics Laboratory at Geneva’s HEPIA engineering school – whose work in an anechoic chamber perfectly isolated from noise pollution has demonstrated that the sound of Chopard’s minute repeater is powerful, harmonious and crystal clear .
Together, these experts have combined their skill and knowledge to conduct an analysis that goes beyond the purely measurable criteria of acoustics to enter another dimension: that of sound as perceived by the listener. The L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon timepiece benefits from their analysis and their contribution, both scientific and emotional. Thanks to Chopard’s unalterable sapphire gongs, the sound of the L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon is unchanging, stemming from the orchestration of complementary talents: KarlFriedrich Scheufele for watchmaking precision; Renaud and Gautier Capuçon for artistic and emotional endorsement; and Romain Boulandet for scientific expertise.
A blend of heritage and modernity: 25 years of the L.U.C collection
Since 1996, Chopard Manufacture has been reflecting the inspired vision of the Maison’s Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele. Twenty-five years after presenting its first movement, the Manufacture has acquired a degree of maturity enabling it to provide a range encompassing the entire spectrum of horological complications – all in-house crafted through an alliance of tradition and innovation.
From movement development to adjustment and quality control, along with finished product design, gold casting, the stamping and machining of cases as well as movement components, engraving and traditional hand-crafted finishes, gemsetting, surface treatments, polishing and assembly: its workshops in Geneva and Fleurier enable Chopard to master the entire production process involved in each creation composing the L.U.C collection. The work of experienced artisans, these timepieces with their simple and pure design express a high degree of mechanical sophistication.
HUBLOT PAYS TRIBUTE TO SAUDI ARABIA WITH THE CLASSIC FUSION SAUDI ARABIA NATIONAL DAY
As a tribute to Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage and inspiring development, Hublot and Saudi partners Attar United came together to create a watch that highlights the Kingdom’s duality through the Art of Fusion: The Classic Fusion Saudi Arabia National Day.
We are truly delighted to honor Saudi Arabia through one of our iconic watches, the Classic Fusion. For this first piece inspired by the Kingdom, we wanted to bring together Hublot’s exclusive savoir-faire and the country’s characteristic essence. The final result is a timeless watch that adapts to all moods, allowing the person who wears it to be chic and trendy on all occasions.”
RICARDO GUADALUPE HUBLOT CEO
We are happy and honored to unveil with our partner, Hublot, this special edition launch consecrated to our great country. We are confident that the Saudi Hublotistas will feel as proud to wear this unique piece as we felt creating it.”
MOHAMMED ATTAR MANAGING DIRECTOR ATTAR UNITED
The expression of elegance through watchmaking art
Recently, Saudi Arabia has embarked in one of the most inspiring and monumental development journey the world has ever witnessed. While anticipating the future, the Kingdom has preserved its strong heritage, building a visionary world while combining tradition and evolution.
Similarly, since its creation, Hublot has always had at heart to free luxury from the established codes and define its own identity, continuously working around the brand’s heritage, visionary creativity and one of a kind savoirfaire. By reinventing classic pieces with modern innovations, Hublot creates contemporary timepieces that are valued across generations, highlighting the principle of fusion between craftsmanship and modernity.
Born from the creative alchemy of Saudi Arabia’s stateliness and Hublot’s expertise, this limited edition Classic Fusion Saudi Arabia National Day is an ode to classiness. Made of a 45mm black ceramic case and a mat green dial, the watch stands out not only thanks to its color, but also to the material chosen for it: ceramic. The signature material from Hublot, has a built-in scratch-resistance and an incredible durability. It is robust yet almost weightless and benefits from great comfort against the skin.
The straps are the signature of Hublot’s know-how as rubber has emerged as one of its flagship materials and an emblem of its modern approach to watchmaking. Written into Hublot’s DNA, materials are essential attributes of the watches, for their aesthetic qualities and their resistance to scratches and ageing. Available in lined green and in camouflage, the straps are key elements of the timepiece and a tribute to Saudi Arabia’s cultural versatility.
Celebrating the Kingdom’s 91st National Day, this unique creation will be limited to 91 exclusive pieces.
