A fine vintage
The patience and precision needed to create an exceptional wine is similar to that needed to create an exceptional timepiece. For the person with the wherewithal to appreciate both, Chopard has introduced the new LUC Heritage Grand Cru. This timepiece was fittingly launched at Chateau Monestier La Tour, a vineyard nestled in the Bergerac region (and, like Chopard, owned by the Scheufele family).
The new timepiece is, of course, a tonneau — barrel-shaped. Tonneaus are a relative rarity in the watchmaking world, but softening the formality of the square shape with a pair of gentle curves results in a more relaxed but still dignified demeanour. With black Roman numerals on a white porcelain-type dial in 18-carat rose gold case, it is a supremely elegant nod to Victorian-era horology — such as the pocket watches made by Louis-Ulysse Chopard himself. Within the case is the 97.01-L calibre – an automatic movement wound by a 22-carat gold micro-rotor – and this timepiece bears the seal of the coveted Poincon de Geneve, a rigorous industry standard awarded to only one in over 1,000 Swiss-made timepieces.
