The quiet revolution of fine watchmaking at Chopard Manufacture in Fleurier reaches a poetic milestone with the introduction of the new L.U.C 1860 Chronometer. This continuation model of the original icon arrives to mark the 30th anniversary of the workshops, preserving the classic spirit of its predecessor while integrating three decades of technical refinement. With a 36.5 mm case crafted in the Maison’s signature Lucent Steel™, the timepiece offers the ideal proportions that have long delighted the most discerning collectors.

The face of the watch is defined by a striking "Areuse Blue" dial, a shade inspired by the deep blue gorges of the river that flows near the Manufacture in the Val-de-Travers. This 18-carat white gold dial is hand-guilloché with a sunburst pattern, a rare artistic craft performed by in-house artisans using vintage lathes that are sometimes over a century old. The symmetrical design intentionally avoids a date display to maintain absolute purity, featuring only a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock and polished white gold chevron-shaped markers.

“The L.U.C 1860 is the most emblematic watch in the L.U.C collection. It marks the beginning of our journey into the heart of fine watchmaking — a path that has sometimes been challenging yet full of discoveries. This timepiece has become a classic, just as I had imagined it 30 years ago,” says Chopard Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele. This journey toward excellence is embodied in the L.U.C Calibre 96.40-L, an ultra-thin movement measuring just 3.30 mm. An engraved 22-carat gold micro-rotor powers two stacked barrels, a system known as Chopard Twin technology that ensures a 65-hour power reserve.

Beyond its mechanical prowess, the watch is a testament to the high standards of certified watchmaking, bearing both the COSC chronometer certification for precision and the prestigious Poinçon de Genève. Achieving such demanding finishing requirements in a steel case is particularly rare, yet the use of Lucent Steel™ enhances the visual impact of every hand-polished bevel. Paired with a grey grained calfskin strap, this timepiece remains a symbol of the vertical integration and artisanal heritage that define the Chopard Group.