OVERVIEW

The Chopard L.U.C 16/1860 is one of those watches that deserves far more attention than it usually might get from most people. However, when I’ve shown this watch to some of my serious aficionado friends they get as giddy as a kid in Disneyland. Released in 1996 as the first L.U.C watch, it marked Chopard’s arrival as a serious modern manufacture, and they really brought a watch that competes on the same level as any of the top watchmaking houses.

At the heart of it is the Caliber 1.96, an absolutely beautiful micro-rotor movement with a 22k gold rotor, twin mainspring barrels, around 70 hours of power reserve, and exceptional hand finishing. It was COSC and Geneva Seal certified, and was highly regarded from the moment it appeared.

The watch itself is wonderfully understated. The 37mm case, solid-gold guilloché dial, and beautifully finished movement all come together without trying too hard. What I love most about the 16/1860 is that it doesn’t immediately announce what it is. It looks like a simple, elegant dress watch, but spend a little time with it and you can tell that the process of producing it was anything but simple. It’s a fantastic example of Chopard’s watchmaking at its most refined, and one of those watches that collectors appreciate exponentially more over time.

CONDITION NOTES

CASE: Fabulous original condition, possibly unpolished, with minor marks and hairlines throughout consistent with a watch of this age.

DIAL & HANDS: Untouched beautiful guilloche white dial. Hands are flawless.

MOVEMENT: Beautiful and running optimally.