This is how Chopard does an elegant and skeletonized version of their dressy L.U.C XP automatic two-hand watch – and it’s got a modern kick to it. For the most part, if someone told you that Chopard came out with a skeletonized L.U.C XP timepiece, you’d assume it was traditional and classy given its status as an “ultra thin” formal watch. While the Chopard L.U.C XP Skeletec (yes) is most certainly a classy timepiece, it also takes inspiration from Chopard sport watches.
When Chopard debuted their more volume in-house-made movements for timepieces in their Classic Racing collection (that includes product families such as the Mille Miglia and Superfast), they introduced a finishing and light skeletonization technique meant to evoke the look of car engines. Here, in the Chopard L.U.C XP Skeletec, we have something slightly different in design, but the repeating parallel lines in the skeletonization are clearly borne of the same design DNA.
Inside the Chopard L.U.C XP Skeletec is the in-house-made caliber L.U.C 96.17-S automatic movement which I am guessing will look beautiful in this watch. I, for one, am a big fan of mixing black or dark gray tones with gold and brass. Just as I like, the major colors of the movement are black and gold – and all the more so with the 22k gold micro-rotor contrasting against the anthracite/slate gray finishing of the skeletonized movement bridges when viewed from the rear.
The 96.17-S is pretty thin at just 3.30mm thick and it operates at 4Hz with 65 hours of power reserve between two barrels. Along with being attractive and finely made, Chopard should be given credit for producing a movement with modern performance standards in mind. Again, how many very thin movements such as this can you name with stacked mainspring barrels? I can’t personally think of any others off the top of my mind.
The rear of the Chopard L.U.C XP Skeletec is actually one of its best views, offering both visual interest and a lot of movement with the automatic rotor and regulation system. It’s this profile that allows for an overall case thickness of 7.13mm. At 39.5mm wide, the Chopard L.U.C XP Skeletec is offered in 18k rose gold with a slate-colored outer dial which is meant to more or less match the finishing of the dial. This chapter ring-style outer dial is set with applied hour markers offering mostly full legibility for this skeletonized timepiece model. As a limited edition, if successful, I can easily see Chopard offering the Chopard L.U.C XP Skeletec in additional variations in the future.
I am still trying to determine the meaning of “Skeletec,” as I am not immediately aware of any special technology that the skeletonization adds or requires in this watch. With that said, Chopard is able to grab a bit of extra attention with the slick name that sounds like where Skeletor enjoyed his undergraduate years. If anything, Chopard is able to capture a more “technical” versus “traditional” experience with this particular skeletonization style that mixes pure industrial lines with Swiss-watchmaking polishing and finishing in a unique style we haven’t quite seen before.
The Chopard L.U.C XP remains one of my all-time favorite dress watches because of its simple two-dauphine-hand dial, gorgeous design restraint, and useful automatic movement. The Chopard L.U.C XP Skeletec simply adds another level of flavor to the impressive collection of extremely formal watches – especially if you are in the mood to look handsome but also show off a bit of the movement’s more private parts. More so, the skeletonization decoration style here adds a touch more visceral masculinity to the core L.U.C XP design which will no doubt appeal to some consumers.
Chopard will offer the Chopard L.U.C XP Skeletec as a limited edition of 288 pieces with a price of $22,070. chopard.com
