A special limited edition (only 12 pieces) of the Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer with a magnificent blue guilloche dial is released. This is a collaboration with Sincere Fine Watches and carries the designation SHH Edition.
Press Release information with commentary in italics.
New: Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer SHH Edition
The 12-piece Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer SHH Edition Ref: 161242-0003 will be available at the SHH Boutique, #B2M-202 of The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, with a retail price of SGD 57,100 (including GST).
Commentary
The new Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer SHH Edition marks the return of the bee motif in Chopard’s offerings. This special edition comes with a beautiful 18k royal blue guilloché dial carrying the beehive motif. The same motif is also carried in the hunter style case back cover. This case back cover is a nice element, perhaps a bit fussy, but adds to the charm of the watch.
The beehive is a trademark of Chopard, and reintroduced with the established for L.U.C watches of the Manufacture in 1996. Bees have part of their history since 1730s, when the Chopard family were farmers in the Jura. It was normal for farmers to supplement their income during the long harsh winters where farming was difficult and often impossible with additional non-farming work. Many, with the requisite skills took additional work in manufacturing components for the watch companies, thus establishing the industry in the region. Some specialised in making cases, dials or individual components. Eventually, some made complete movements. Like what Louis-Ulysse Chopard did. Another popular additional economic activity was to keep bees. We see both beekeeping and watchmaking quite evidently in the Jura and Valée de Joux in many old establishments. Chopard is one. Another is Jaeger-LeCoultre. Both have some form of beekeeping activity till today, and we have certainly enjoyed bottles of the honey from both.
The beehive and beekeeping motif has appeared in modern L.U.C watches, though we have not seen this theme in JLC timepieces. Since the establishment of the L.U.C manufacture by Karl-Friedrich Schuefele in 1996, this has appeared in at least 3 versions. Each bearing the L.U.C 1-96 movement in an hunter styled case. Each of these had the beehive logo engraving, either on the inside or the outside of the case back cover. In today’s novelty, this engraving is on the inside cover of the hunter case back. Interestingly, there is no specific number of bees on the beehive logo, and as these were hand engraved with mechanically marked bees, variations in the number exist. And a rather popular watch nerd activity among the owners of such watches is to talk about the number of bees in their watch.
The movement selected is the L.U.C 96.01-L, which was released way back in 1997. A nice nod to the past. This is an excellent movement and beautifully finished with all the accoutrements of a haute horlogerie movement, including the Poinçoin de Genève seal and COSC certification.
Release details
Introducing the prestigious L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer SHH Edition, a symbol of authority, trust, and confidence, emblematic of the enduring partnership between Chopard and Sincere Fine Watches. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this 12-piece limited SHH Edition exudes exclusivity and luxury, catering to the discerning tastes of watch connoisseurs.
Adorned with an exceptionally refined 18-carat gold royal blue hand-guilloché dial on one side and a similarly guillochéd officer-type back cover on the other, the L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer SHH Edition embodies the pinnacle of elegance and fine craftsmanship. Housed within this special timepiece is the ultra-thin 3.30mm L.U.C 96.01-L movement, that was presented back in 1997. Chopard Manufacture’s first calibre is equipped with Chopard Twin technology and a 22-carat gold micro-rotor – marking it as a testament to Chopard’s unparalleled sophistication.
Limited to just 12 pieces, the timepiece features a 40 mm-diameter case crafted in ethical 18-carat yellow gold that frames a Royal Blue dial. The L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer SHH Edition is also chronometer-certified and bears the prestigious Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark. With its distinctive design and timeless appeal, this timepiece exudes refinement and discretion, making it a quintessential choice for discerning enthusiasts of horology.
Reflecting the spirit of L.U.C XPS timepieces, this model combines delicacy, secrecy, and mystery in a subtle blend of refinement and sophistication. The honeycomb motif appears on the outside of the back cover matches that of the dial, creating a captivating interplay of light and shadow. Upon closer inspection, the wearer can uncover the true nature of the watch, as the hinged back cover concealing its sapphire crystal case-back opens via an ingenious spring system, confirming its proper locking with a pleasing click upon closing.
The L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer SHH Edition pays homage to Chopard’s rich heritage, incorporating a unique shade of Royal Blue into its design for the very first time. Signifying authority, trust and confidence, this unique shade of blue was specially developed for Sincere Fine Watches and is a symbol of the longstanding partnership that has been fostered over the years by both the Maison and the retailer. The hand-guilloché dial is crafted on a solid gold base, featuring a sunburst satin-brushed outer section, a finely snailed small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock, as well as a hand-guilloché honeycomb motif. The inside of the back cover protecting the L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer SHH Edition contains hand-engravings of a beehive and bees, the latter appearing in a random manner to ensure the uniqueness of each model. Both the honeycomb motifs and the hand-engraved bees and hive refer to two major chapters in the history of Chopard.
Paying tribute to L.U.C’s rich heritage
The honeycomb motif found on both the front and back of the L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer SHH Edition marks the creation of the first watch made by Chopard Manufacture. Launched back in 1997, the L.U.C 1860 was also similarly decorated with a central hand-guilloché motif.
Meanwhile, the uniquely hand-engraved bees and hive trace their origins back to the founding of the Maison by Louis-Ulysse Chopard. During its early years and until the 1920s, Chopard embraced the symbolism of bees, engraving all of its watches – both on their movements and inner side of the covers – with a beehive surrounded by bees. When Chopard Manufacture was established in 1996, Chopard Co-President’s Karl-Friedrich Scheufele chose to reintroduce this iconic symbol, incorporating it into select models in the L.U.C collection, intentionally named in tribute to the Maison’s founder.
The ornamental appeal of these various engravings is rooted in the characteristics of bees: industrious and modest, all qualities that are essential contributors to a thriving ecosystem that holds together through cooperation and hard work. The elegance of the L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer SHH Edition, its perfectly balanced and timeless proportions, and the quality of its craftsmanship confirmed by the Poincon de Genève quality hallmark, all echo the ethical approach that guided its creation.
L.U.C: horological excellence since 1996
A simple press on the crown-integrated pusher of the L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer SHH Edition effortlessly reveals a captivating secret: the hinged back cover gracefully opens to unveil the intricately crafted movement within. Despite this addition, the watch maintains its svelte 7.7 mm thickness and retains its comfortable fit on the wrist. Encased in ethical 18-carat yellow gold with vertical satin-brushed flanks, the cover discreetly conceals the ultra-thin L.U.C Calibre 96.01-L. This groundbreaking movement, introduced in 1997, marked the inception of Chopard Manufacture’s prestigious L.U.C collection, earning the distinction of “Watch of the Year” by Swiss Montres Passion (Uhrenwelt) magazine upon its debut.
The L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer SHH Edition boasts the prestigious Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark, a symbol of its exceptional craftsmanship. This esteemed certification, overseen by an independent authority and regulated by Geneva law, sets stringent standards for unparalleled excellence. Covering both the case and movement, it evaluates structural integrity, precision, and the impeccable quality of surface finishing, ensuring a level of sophistication that transcends ordinary timepieces.
The automatic winding mechanism of the L.U.C Calibre 96.01-L is driven by a meticulously crafted micro-rotor made of ethical 22-carat gold, renowned for its high inertia that enhances efficiency. This exceptional design incorporates two barrels arranged with Chopard’s Twin technology, delivering a substantial 65-hour power reserve. These features not only sustain the movement but also guarantee chronometer-certified precision, meeting the exacting standards set by Chopard Co-President, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele. His dedication to ensuring the precision of all L.U.C models with a small seconds display is reflected in their certification by the Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC).
