The most sophisticated wristwatch in the history of the Chopard brand

As part of the Dubai Watch Week 2025 watch salon, Chopard presented the L.U.C Grand Strike watch. Today, the model with the functions of large and small combat, minute repeater and tourbillon is the most sophisticated watch in the history of the brand. They have received a chronometer certificate, fully comply with the standards of the Geneva Stamp and are protected by 10 patents, 5 of which were developed specifically for this model.

If we trace the history of Chopard models with a combat function, then the first such model (presented as part of the L.U.C collection) was the Strike One watch, released in 2006. Presented 10 years later, the Full Strike Minute Repeater brought Chopard the main award of the Geneva Grand Prix of Watchmaking (Golden Arrow) in 2017.

This model won the Oscar for using a revolutionary system in which the sapphire crystal of the dial formed a single whole with sapphire gongs. In the same 2017, as part of the “Sound of Eternity” trilogy, Chopard released a watch with a minute repeater and tourbillon, equipped with the same monoblock “sapphire glass + gongs”.

They also migrated to the novelty, which is made in the skeleton format. The dial of the model offers an unobstructed view of the movement (calibre L.U.C 08.03-L), consisting of 686 parts. The mechanism is finished in accordance with the strict standards of the Geneva brand, including mirror polishing, beveled chamfers and classic decor with “Geneva waves”. The bridges and platinum are made of nickel silver, while the tourbillon bridge is made of mirror–polished stainless steel.

The watch is presented in a 43mm white gold case. The design of the case embodies the principles of the new aesthetics of the L.U.C collection, which we observed in the new products of the beginning of 2025. It features a curved bezel, welded lugs, a grooved crown and a convenient strap replacement system. In the prototype model, which is shown in the photo, the strap replacement system is not used.

The battle mechanism is visible from the side of the dial: polished steel hammers are clearly visible at the “10 o’clock” mark, and the battle control can be seen at the 8 o’clock mark. The “Big Fight” (G), “Small Fight” (P) and “Silence” (S) modes are selected using the slider located next to the crown. The minute repeater mechanism is activated by a button integrated into the crown.

Traditionally, for such models, the watch is equipped with two wind-up drums. One of them is responsible for indicating the time in the basic mechanism and provides a 70-hour power reserve. The second one serves the combat mechanism and provides up to 12 hours of operation in the “Big Fight” mode. Both mechanisms are wound using a crown, but in different directions.

The highlight of the model is the aforementioned sapphire gongs, which form a single block with the glass of the watch. The gongs vibrate in unison with the glass, directing the sound to the outside of the watch and thereby preventing energy dissipation through the mechanism and case. They have a square cross-section, which creates a rich and layered sound. There is practically no background mind here, as there are no “phantom” strikes during the battle. The battle mechanism control is designed in such a way that the minutes ring off immediately after the last quarter, without unnecessary pauses here.

The watch is also equipped with a number of protective mechanisms that prevent damage when handling it. In particular, the operating modes of the watch can be switched directly during combat without the risk of breakage. In this case, the fight cannot be activated if the crown is extended to the factory position, and vice versa, the crown cannot be pulled out during the fight.

After the power reserve expires, the battle cannot be activated. This eliminates the possibility of an incomplete or partial time call (the solution is patented). To avoid damage to the glass by gongs in the event of an impact, the developers have rethought the geometry of the battle hammers by changing the moment of inertia (another patent).

The L.U.C 08.03-L caliber also has a place for the minute tourbillon, which has a second hand. To accurately set the time, the mechanism provides an option to stop the second hand, which is implemented by stopping the tourbillon carriage. The frequency of balance fluctuations is classic here – 28,800 pcs/hour. A balance spiral with an end Phillips curve.

The accuracy of the mechanism has been confirmed by COSC tests. During the development phase, Chopard’s quality control department conducted 62,400 combat mechanism activations (half in each mode). All this was done in accelerated mode, simulating 5 years of watch wear in 3 months of testing.

The Chopard L.U.C Grand Strike comes with a handmade alligator leather strap, which features a leather lining and a folding clasp. The watches are unlimited, but the production cycle is designed for two models per year. It’s understandable: it took more than 11,000 hours to develop the new product. The estimated cost of the model is CHF 700,000.