CHOPARD – L.U.C Grand Strike Skeleton Repeater Tourbillon 43mm Gold Edition - 2025
Chopard's signature sound
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From
the workshops of Chopard Manufacture comes the new L.U.C Grand Strike,
an opus of mechanical mastery developed entirely within the walls of the
Swiss watchmaker. This exceptional chiming timepiece, featuring a grande sonnerie, petite sonnerie
and minute repeater with proprietary sapphire crystal gongs, represents
the culmination of the Maison’s mechanical expertise and a decades-long
sonnerie journey initiated by Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard.
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The
result of over 11,000 hours of focused research and development, the
L.U.C Grand Strike draws on ten proprietary technical patents - five of
which were newly developed for this timepiece - making it the most
complex watch ever created by Chopard Manufacture. Its performance is
assured by rigorous in-house tests as well as certifying bodies such as
the Poinçon de Genève, and the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres
(COSC). With these certifications, the L.U.C Grand Strike is officially
the most comprehensively rated grande sonnerie in contemporary high
complications. The design of this timepiece is a blend of traditional forms with modern aesthetics, combining understated curves with a dial-less display that puts the 686-component calibre L.U.C 08.03-L in the spotlight.
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“It has always been our intention to conceive a grande sonnerie at Chopard. If you look at the L.U.C Grand Strike, what you see is the cumulative impact of 30 years spent creating and innovating in the domain of fine watchmaking. When you listen to its chime, you are hearing the rhythm of Haute Horlogerie at Chopard Manufacture. If the chime moves you, it’s because you resonate with our way of making watches” explains Karl-Friedrich Scheufele.
The culmination of three decades of innovation
The L.U.C Grand Strike is
rooted in nearly 20 years of sonnerie expertise at Chopard Manufacture –
and 10 years of sapphire monobloc technology – comprising 686 movement
components in the most complex watch created in the history of the
Manufacture. Over 11,000 hours were invested in this project, from the
very first exploratory studies to the creation of technical plans and
the production of a working prototype. Over 2,500 of those hours were
dedicated to fine-tuning the prototype, ensuring the final production
pieces are poised at the limits of micro-mechanical perfection.
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Housed
in a remarkably compact 18-carat ethical white gold case measuring 43mm
in diameter, the restrained curves and profile of the case design draw
the eye directly towards the high precision L.U.C 08.03-L calibre, which
is fully visible thanks to the open dial. At the 10 o’clock position,
two polished steel hammers clearly indicate the chiming nature of this
watch, which can be adjusted to three sonnerie modes – Grande Sonnerie (G), Petite Sonnerie (P), Silence (S) – via an ergonomically designed sliding selector switch located next to the winding and setting crown.
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The
lower half of the watch dial is occupied by a 60-second tourbillon, a
visual reminder of the COSC-certified performance of the movement.
Between the continuous rotation of the tourbillon and the motion of the
chiming mechanism, the L.U.C Grand Strike offers its wearer an immersive
experience of mechanical wonder with every glance. A
hallmark of watchmaking excellence and innovation at Chopard, the
patented sapphire crystal gongs are machined in one single monobloc unit
with the dial. This unique gong construction, using the horologically
unprecedented material of sapphire crystal, is what gives the L.U.C
Grand Strike its matchless acoustic character.
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Apart
from the sapphire crystal gongs, an additional nine patents filed
and/or granted have been employed in the creation of the L.U.C Grand
Strike, demonstrating once again the spirit of innovation that defines
Chopard Manufacture. These patents cover all aspects of function in this
watch, from important security mechanisms that protect the movement
against accidental mishandling, to improvements in chiming cadence. Five
of these patents are new filings that were specifically developed for
the L.U.C Grand Strike, representing the continual evolution of
innovation-driven expertise at the heart of the Maison.
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Throughout
its years of development, the L.U.C Grand Strike was conceived with the
harmonious and simultaneous integration of both its technical and
aesthetic aspects. The final watch is a triumph of this approach,
blending horological mastery seamlessly with design elegance.
Composing a legacy of sound
At the opening of the new millennium,
Chopard Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele led the Manufacture on its
first steps into the domain of chiming watches, making the L.U.C Grand
Strike an inevitable part of Chopard’s destiny. Barely a year after the
2006 launch of the L.U.C Strike One, he began to discuss the possibility
of Chopard’s very own grande sonnerie movement with the Research and
Development team.
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Acquiring
the in-house skills to create such a horological colossus was an
ambitious objective all on its own, but it was just as important that
Chopard should achieve more than expertise — it should achieve mastery.
Which is to say, to go beyond impeccable execution and move towards true
innovation. The genesis of the L.U.C Grand Strike
can be traced via the traditional high-complication pieces such as the
L.U.C All-In-One (2010), as well as the avant-garde approach of the
multi-patent L.U.C 8HF (2012). These pieces showcase the versatility of
Chopard Manufacture across the wide spectrum of watchmaking approach,
from true classicism to the uncompromisingly contemporary.
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Each
of the intricate mechanical systems that together form the calibre
L.U.C 08.03-L has been implemented with a profound understanding and
familiarity with every aspect of mechanical watchmaking. The
multi-barrel construction that underpins all sonnerie watches
was enhanced by the knowledge gained through creating virtuoso
timepieces with advanced power distribution systems such as the
four-barrel L.U.C Quattro. The L.U.C Grand Strike’s 60-second tourbillon
owes its strict performance standards to the in-house experience
acquired through the L.U.C 02 family of tourbillon movements. Even
something as expected in watchmaking norms as the instantaneous sonnerie
activation has been refined with the insights derived from building
complex calendars such as the L.U.C Lunar One, with its jumping
displays.
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In
2016, the L.U.C Full Strike minute repeater further demonstrated the
Manufacture’s commitment to the pursuit of the perfect chime. Not only
did it highlight the evolution of sonnerie expertise at
Chopard, it also introduced new horological knowledge to the world. For
the first time in watchmaking, a chiming watch struck the hours,
quarters and minutes on gongs of sapphire crystal instead of steel. The
acoustic properties of sapphire crystal, technically known as
monocrystalline aluminium oxide, had long been known. Its delicate
nature, however, led to the consensus in the watchmaking community that
sapphire crystal gongs were too impractical to even attempt. That is, of
course, until Chopard Manufacture took up the quest and succeeded where
no one else had before.
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Ultimately, the L.U.C Full Strike proved the impossible possible and was awarded the highest honour at the 2017 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) — the prestigious Aiguille d’Or.
The calibre L.U.C 08.03-L: a crescendo of complications and patents
Today, Chopard reveals another chapter in its sonnerie journey: the L.U.C Grand Strike. It features the most exalted of chiming complications, a grande sonnerie,
which strikes the full complement of hours and quarters as they pass.
The watch can also be switched to the less chime-intensive petite sonnerie
mode, which strikes the hours only at the 60-minute mark, and solely
the quarters every 15 minutes thereafter. If wished, the automatic chime
of the L.U.C Grand Strike can be entirely silenced, and the watch will
strike the time only when its minute repeater function is manually
activated.
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Upon each manual (minute repeater) or automatic (grande or petite sonnerie)
activation of the chime, 34 components leap to attention, poised to
deliver a clear and precise report of the time. Guided or retained by an
array of 22 hand-adjusted blade springs, these 34 components require
only 0.03 seconds to go from standby to being ready for action: a
perfectly coordinated corps de ballet supporting their
principals in the spotlight, the hammers and gongs. In the mechanical
dance that follows, levers descend, cams extend and racks advance — all
leading up to the final moment when hammer meets gong and sonic beauty
erupts.
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A
total of 686 movement components is required to animate the panoply of
chronometric functions in this timepiece, which also includes a
60-second tourbillon. The latter is topped by a small-seconds indicator,
as a continuous but subtle sign of the timekeeping precision built into
this watch. The L.U.C Grand Strike is doubly certified, bearing the
quality hallmarks of the Poinçon de Genève and the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC).
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Ensuring
that the watch can still perform even at the limits of the movement’s
energy demands, the L.U.C Grand Strike was awarded COSC certification
when tested in petite sonnerie mode. While the petite sonnerie may appear to be more energy efficient than the grande sonnerie,
in reality it has a higher energy threshold than the latter
complication. This is due to the mechanism that suppresses the hour
strikes at the quarter hours, which acts as a brake on the chiming
system and effectively shortens the power reserve.
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Despite
the sheer number of components in the L.U.C Grand Strike and its full
range of chiming complications — not to mention the tourbillon and
underlying timekeeping functions — the watch diameter is only 43 mm, and
its height is a modest 14.08 mm. A minor miracle in contemporary
watchmaking, and an essential feature in modern life, which demands
efficiency of dimension and energy.
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To
meet the latter requirement, the in-house manual-winding calibre
L.U.C
08.03-L possesses two mainspring barrels, one for the timekeeping
functions and another separate barrel for the chiming complications.
When fully wound, the
sonnerie barrel provides 12 hours of uninterrupted function when in the chime-intensive
grande sonnerie mode.
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The
main power reserve of 70 hours is also noteworthy for such a highly
complex watch, especially considering its balance frequency. The L.U.C
08.03-L beats at 4Hz (28,800 vph), which is standard for a sports watch,
but considered high for a complicated watch of this level. By not making
any concessions and keeping the L.U.C Grand Strike within the strict
performance expectations of any other modern wristwatch, chronometric
quality is guaranteed.
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This
precision is supported by the system of time indication itself, which
features a stop-seconds function. When the crown is pulled out and in
its time-setting position, the small seconds hand is braked, allowing
the time to be accurately set to the second. In this way, the
chronometric capabilities of the movement can be fully expressed via the
dial indications.
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On
top of its superb chronometry and display performance, the L.U.C Grand
Strike has also been built to withstand the test of time. From as early
on as the prototype stage, the in-house quality control of the L.U.C
Grand Strike at Chopard Manufacture involves 62,400 activations of the sonnerie (half in each sonnerie
mode) in an accelerated process that simulates five years of wear in
just three months. In this time, the minute repeater is also
continuously activated via the crown-pusher — 3,000 times to ensure the
movement can stand up to prolonged use.
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All in all, the sapphire crystal
gongs are struck over half a million times during this rigorous
testing, demonstrating the resilience of the in-house calibre L.U.C
08.03-L.
A crystal-clear sound
While the foundation of the L.U.C Grand
Strike lies in the decades of watchmaking patrimony integrated within
Chopard Manufacture, its core is defined by innovation. To bring greater
precision and expertise to the process of creating sonnerie watches, Chopard worked closely with an engineering university in Geneva, the Haute Ecole du Paysage, d'Ingénierie et d'Architecture
(HEPIA) to analyse the technical characteristics of its signature
chime. These observations can be attributed to three key differences
that separate the sapphire crystal chiming system from its technical
predecessors utilising steel gongs.
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Firstly,
there is its monobloc construction. Conventional chiming watches use
polished steel gongs with a round cross-section, fixed to the movement
with screws. The traditional sonnerie chime is produced when hammers
strike the gongs, causing them to transmit acoustic energy in the form
of vibrational waves throughout the watch, travelling through the dial
crystal and propagating sound through the air.
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This indirect method of
sound transmission results in energy loss at several points, via the
gong attachments, the movement and even the case itself, elements which
dampen the overall chime. Chopard’s proprietary chiming system combines
the gongs and dial crystal, which are machined out of a single piece of
sapphire crystal. When the sapphire crystal gongs are struck, they
vibrate in concert with the dial crystal, channelling the sound directly
towards the exterior of the watch and avoiding energy dissipation
through the movement or case. Naturally, the chime gains in clarity and
tonal purity.
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Secondly,
there is the geometry of the sapphire crystal gongs. Instead of the
round cross-section seen in traditional steel gongs, the sapphire
crystal gongs have an orthogonal (square) cross-section. Solidly based
on the principles of kinetic energy transmission, this allows for an
increased area of contact between the sonnerie hammers and the
gongs. In addition to this greater potential for efficient energy
transfer, gongs with a square cross-section also come with acoustic
properties that set them apart from gongs with a round cross-section.
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The right angles along the length of the gong serve to channel and
direct sound waves into distinct modes of vibration, comparable to how
polarised lenses can channel and direct wavelengths of light. This
complex vibrational pattern effectively creates a rich, layered chime
that is simultaneously harmonious and textured to the ear.
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Thirdly, the atomic structure of sapphire crystal itself gives all Chopard sonneries
currently in production their unmistakeable quality. Ethereal yet
powerful, brilliant and resonant, the chime generated by the
monocrystalline structure of these gongs is unmatched by any steel
equivalent. The exceptional hardness of sapphire crystal (second only to
diamond) also ensures that, unlike metal, it cannot be physically
deformed. Hence its characteristic sound, named the Sound of Eternity. Fittingly,
the notes played by the L.U.C Grand Strike are tuned to produce a C# –
F♮ chord, a musical interval which the mind interprets as conveying
stability and unity.
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To
augment the movement’s ability to support this exceptional chime, five
new patents were specifically developed and filed by Chopard
Manufacture. Two of them relate to usage security, allowing the wearer
to activate the chiming mechanism at any time without damaging the
movement, and to switch between chiming modes without introducing
inaccuracies into the time display. These patents illustrate the
attention put towards building a watch for intuitive real-life use.
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The
other three new patents are strictly focused on performance
optimisation. A new energy-efficient clutch mechanism was created to
reduce the torque needed to launch the sonnerie chime, effectively extending the power reserve of the sonnerie barrel. Another patent is dedicated to a mechanism that blocks sonnerie
activation if there is insufficient torque, thereby avoiding the
possibility of an incomplete or partial chime. The last of these three
new performance-centric patents redefines the geometry of the striking
hammers, changing their moment of inertia to minimise any potentially
damaging impact on the sapphire crystal gongs, should an accidental
shock occur. Particular effort was made to ensure that this additional
security could be implemented without compromising the quality of the
chime.
At Chopard Manufacture, innovation is practiced in the interests of both the watch and its wearer.
Form and function in perfect harmony
To the very last detail, the L.U.C Grand
Strike has been designed to highlight the horological prowess and
aesthetic refinement of Chopard Haute Horlogerie. This sophisticated
balance is reflected in tangible aspects of the watch, such as its
extremely wearable proportions, but there is no lack of subtle features
that augment the experience of having the L.U.C Grand Strike on the
wrist.
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While the intricacies of sonnerie
mechanisms remain an enigma to the majority of those who encounter a
chiming watch, this particular model revels in its complexity. Its
dial-less design reveals its inner workings for all to see, emphasising
the wondrous mysteries of Haute Horlogerie.
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As
counterpoint and complement to the resolutely innovative sapphire
crystal chiming system, the plates and bridges of the movement are in
traditional German silver (maillechort). This alloy has a long
history in watchmaking and is admired for the warm hue it develops as a
patina over time. It is also known for its reactivity to the natural
oils found on human skin, and watch connoisseurs will immediately
recognise the meticulousness necessary to work with this notoriously
unforgiving material.
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The exterior components of the watch are a
symphony of perfectly calibrated surfaces and finishes, from a case
middle that is satin-brushed to bring out the natural soft sheen of
white gold, to the bassiné case, designed with a slight
rounding towards the caseback so that the lines of the watch become
fluid with the contours of the wrist. A final touch of sophistication
comes in the form of solid gold hands and hour markers.
Indistinguishable in appearance from gold-plated components, these solid
gold elements nevertheless make an unequivocal statement of quality and
refinement at Chopard Manufacture.
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Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Chopard Co-President © Marc Ninghetto
Says Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, “At
Chopard Manufacture, we will always remain true to our philosophy of
building watches that show complete synergy between innovation and
tradition. The reshaped case design has been built around the movement,
which is the result of our long years of acquiring the highest levels of
watchmaking expertise. At the same time, everything possible has been
done to make the L.U.C Grand Strike a pleasure to wear, from the
hand-finished details that produce a beautiful effect under the light,
to the gently rounded contours of the case form that fits perfectly on
the wrist, and the interchangeable straps to suit individual
preferences. When watch connoisseurs look at this watch, they will love
its proportions and finishes, that have been chosen to evoke the great
tradition and patrimony of chiming watches.”
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Music
and watchmaking share the same soul. They elevate and inspire; they
have the capacity to communicate the sublime. They are governed by rules
that are elegant and mathematical in equal measure. They resonate
through the ages and give cadence to life. It is no wonder that the
creations that best represent this commonality — chiming watches — are
revered as the pinnacle of horological craft.
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They symbolise watchmaking
at its most transcendent. As the sonnerie journey of Chopard
watchmaking enters its third decade of mastery and innovation, the L.U.C
Grand Strike fulfils the promise made in 2006 by the seminal L.U.C
Strike One. Its chime is that rarest of horological creations — fleeting
and unforgettable, momentary and eternal.
30 years of Chopard Manufacture
In 2026, Chopard Manufacture marks three
remarkable decades since the launch of its in-house movement workshops
at Fleurier, a major milestone born from the 1996 unveiling of the
calibre L.U.C 96.01-L. Over those 30 years, the ateliers have grown into
a fully-fledged Manufacture, mastering every element of production,
from base calibres to complicated movements, from fine hand-finishing to
chronometer certifications, from component machining to Artistic craft
techniques.
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The journey of Chopard Manufacture includes pioneering
innovations such as sapphire crystal gongs in chiming watches, and
industry leading policies such as the use of responsibly sourced
materials. Today, Chopard’s L.U.C collection stands as a testament to
what long-term vision, family stewardship, and uncompromising precision
can achieve in Swiss watchmaking.
==========================
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Collection : L.U.C
Model: L.U.C Grand Strike Gold
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Reference: 161994-1001
Case
Material: 18-carat ethical white gold
Diameter: 43.00 mm
Thickness: 14.08 mm
Crown with integrated strikework pusher in 18-carat ethical white gold engraved with L.U.C logo: 8.25 mm
Sliding mode selector switch in 18-carat ethical white gold
Vertical satin-brushed caseband
Polished bezel and caseback, hand-engraved caseback
Exhibition back with sapphire crystal
Dial
18-carat ethical white gold dauphine power-reserve hands
18-carat ethical white gold strikework mode indicator
18-carat ethical white gold fusée hour and minute hands
18-carat ethical white gold dauphine small seconds hand
Railway-type minutes track engraved on the sapphire crystal glass
Movement
Mechanical hand-wound L.U.C 08.03-L
Number of components: 686
Diameter: 37.20 mm
Thickness: 10.14 mm
Number of jewels: 67
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Power reserve (movement) of 70 hours
Power reserve (sonnerie) minimum 12 hours (grande sonnerie mode)
Mainplate and bridges in maillechort
Bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève motif
Tourbillon bridge in mirror-polished stainless steel
Balance-spring with Phillips terminal curve
Chronometer-certified by the COSC
Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark
Functions/Indications
Grande sonnerie and petite sonnerie
Minute repeater
Strikework mode indicator
Concentric display of the watch and strikework power reserves at 2 o’clock
Tourbillon with small seconds display at 6 o’clock
Central display of the hours and minutes
Stop-seconds function
Proprietary Patents (filed and/or granted)
One-minute tourbillon with precision-optimised construction
Monobloc pallet lever
Variable-inertia balance optimised for ease of adjustment and turbulence reduction
Sapphire monobloc technology featuring gongs and dial crystal in a unibody construction of - synthetic monocrystalline aluminium oxide
Secure dead-time reduction mechanism for strikework
Strikework activation with security against improper use of pushpiece*
Security mechanism guarding against time discrepancies during multiple activations of the sliding mode selector switch*
Strikework barrel with brake switch for optimised energy efficiency*
Strikework barrel with energy threshold to prevent partial strikes resulting from insufficient barrel torque*
Striking hammers of reduced mass with anti-shock geometry*
*Patent pending
Strap
Interchangeable straps offered in hand-sewn grey alligator leather with grey alligator lining, or hand-sewn dark blue alligator leather with dark blue alligator lining
Folding clasp in polished and satin-brushed 18-carat ethical white gold, engraved with L.U.C logo
🔴 Price: Upon request 💰
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Press Release - 2025
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