As you may know, Chopard produces watches with two different certifications. At the Geneva Atelier, the brand creates Luc watches that carry the engraved Poinson des Geneva. Geneva Seals are primarily related to the aesthetic quality and craftsmanship of the movement. While watches that withstand that must meet certain strict chronometric requirements, Sternest standards are related to traditional finishing techniques and the production of movements within the Geneva Canton. However, the Qualité Fleurier certification evaluates the entire watch, focusing on accuracy, durability, finishing and real-world performance through laborious testing. Chopard Manufacturing, located in Fleurier, the historic village of Val-de-Travers in the Canton of Neuchâtel, is being produced with the Chopard Luc Qualité Fleurier 20th anniversary edition. This watch pays homage to the first of its kind and is a certified dream watch.
You may think you’ve seen this Chopard before. You’re not wrong, but you’re not completely right either. Last year, the brand, which features surveillance facilities in Fleurier and Meillin in Canton, Geneva, introduced Luc Qualité Fleurier by Lucent Steel. Twenty years after the first Luc Timepiece debuted, this is a time that is more straightforward and lush. The Luc Qualité Fleurier 20th Anniversary Edition (Ref. 161992-0001) is available in limited driving of 20 watches made from luxurious, luxurious and ethical 18K yellow gold.
The exquisite Chopard Loucal Qualité Fleurier 20th Anniversary Edition is a certified dream watch
Without a doubt, the Luc Qualité Fleurier 20th Anniversary Edition (€33,000/US$32,300/CHF29,200) illustrates Chopard’s proficiency in watches. Looking at the watch, you can see that it deals with creations that are attributed to exquisite craftsmanship. In fact, watches are able to withstand the highest standards of certification. The Fondation Qualité Fleurier (Fleurier Quality Foundation) approves this watch, but it is by no means a feat.
Qualité Fleurier certification was conceived in the early 2000s by three brands from the same region: Bovet, Parmigiani Fleurier and Chopard. Since 2022, Chopard has been the only initiator to use very strict standards. To grant the Qualité Fleurier seal, the watch must pass COSC tests, the watch head must be 100% made in Switzerland, and the finish, durability and reliability must meet very high standards. You may not see this at a glance, but when you pick up the Luc Qualité Fleurier you will get a sense of extreme quality.
Elegant, two-tone sector style dial with a strong presence
In 2024, “Chopardouk’s Qualité Fleurier’s introverted styling will become a “hard to get” watch. “It takes time to understand the price of CHF 19,300 last year’s solid, silver, calm style steel version. However, the gold version is easy to get. It’s not only the timeless charm of gold, but also the design of the gold brass dial, this is much more straightforward.
The contrast of sector-type dials is subtle yet powerful. Its vibrant sector layout presents a center finished in sunburst satin surrounded by circular brushed chapter rings. Concentric subsecond registration adds depth and visual texture to the dial with the subsecond register at 6 o’clock.
The key to highlighting the creation of this LUC is the handset used by Chopard. The golden hour and minute hand has the distinctive syringe shape of the previous Luc Qualité Fleurier model. The modern Super Luminova of applied markers and hands allows you to read the watch in the dark.
The goodness of being carved
Like its steel predecessor, the yellow gold Luc Qualité Fleurier has a 39mm case with a thickness of just 8.92mm and a 46.5mm lug-to-lug length. Just as the dial regains time, the finely carved welded lugs also have a vintage touch. Cases like this in yellow gold in particular are pure watch romance. The dips in the elongated weld lug are seamlessly merged with the case and have a clear vintage feel. This type of case will return to the time before the CNC machine was present. What should you guess: The slim silhouette and watch shape make it very comfortable to wear. Of course, the yellow gold sparkle and two-tone dial add a lot of richness to this experience.
First and last
You can get the same richness by watching the LUC 96.09-L move through the Sapphire display in Case Back. This is not a new move. On the contrary, it is a sophisticated evolution of the first caliber of Chopard production, and is very suitable for watches celebrating the 20th anniversary of the first Luc Qualité Fleurier Timepiece. The micro-rotor movement has a slim 3.30mm profile and features Chopard twin technology. In other words, the two stacked barrels acquire power from a bidirectional microrotor made from 22k gold. This movement exemplifies the innovative luxury Hollogary watchmaking. This is because it offers an impressive 65-hour power reserve.
Another aspect of autoholology is the finishing touches to the movement. You can see the bridge decorated with the Cote des Genèves and see the carefully trimmed edges without getting bored. And, as you’ve known, this caliber just doesn’t look good. The movement was also subjected to rigorous testing by the Contr Lamb Official Swiss Death Chronomatores (COSC) and confirmed its accuracy over a 15-day evaluation.
But that doesn’t end there. The watch also passed the Chronofile Protocol, a three-week gauntlet that simulates years of wear. By the time it arrived at the Fratello HQ it was already exposed to temperature changes, humidity, magnetic fields, repeated winding and crown manipulation, and impact resistance. This elegant gold watch passed Fleuritest, a 24-hour simulation of a real watch, maintaining an average daily rate of 0-+5 seconds. This is an impressive demonstration of exceptional mechanical accuracy and reliability.
The Final Words of Chopard LUC Qualité Fleurier 20th Anniversary Edition
It’s difficult to find defects. The Chopard Luc Qualité Fleurier 20th Anniversary Edition has passed the most rigorous tests in a highly elegant style of flying colour. Objectively, this is an almost perfect watch. But I have one statement. The supple brown Calfskin strap is soft and comfortable. There is no doubt about that. Also praise Chopard for choosing the ethical 18k yellow gold pin buckle on top of the folding clasp. But I don’t get the beige top stitching on the strap. The contrast stitching looks too sporty and attracts too much attention on its own. In my opinion, the case and dial should be spotlighted. The cheapest part of a watch doesn’t need to draw attention either.
So, in the end, I found a flaw in the certified dream watch. The good thing is a simple fix. Pair it with a strap with uncontested stitching. The Phopard Luc Qualité Fleurier 20th Anniversary Edition is perfect. Or have you found something that you beg to be different? If so, please share it in the comments.
