Located right in the heart of Paris, the City of Light, Chopard has reopened their hotel, 1 Place Vendôme, and to mark the occasion, they’ve released the L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer Vendome One – marked by the Bering deep blue on the dial, the same colour as the hotel’s imposing doorways.
An eight-piece limited edition – 40 mm-diameter watch crafted in ethical 18-carat gold; when the crown is pressed to release the hinged cover concealing its sapphire case-back, the latter opens thanks to a spring system and holds its position. When the case-back is closed, the same mechanism generates a clicking sound that locks the hinged cover in place.
While hinged or officer-type case-backs served to protect the glasses of pocket watches, they also provided scope for unique, personalised engravings such as monograms, coats-of-arms and inscriptions. With the transition to wristwatches, this purpose became obsolete, yet the artistry of this distinctive touch remained.
In the same way, the building at 1 Place Vendôme conceals a well-kept secret: a private mansion with 15 rooms, whose entrance is distinguished only by the discreet “C” placed on its elaborate door.
The opening of the guilloché engraved case-back reveals ultra-thin L.U.C Calibre 96.01-L (3.30 mm thick), This movement first presented by Chopard Manufacture in 1997 is automatically wound via an engraved 22-carat gold micro-rotor, whose high inertia ensures optimal efficiency. It powers two stacked barrels, using Chopard-patented Twin technology. Together, they guarantee a running time of 65 hours and enable Calibre 96.01-L to beat with certified chronometer-worthy precision.
The 8-piece limited edition is available exclusively from the Chopard Boutique on Place Vendôme, Paris.
