WTS: Chopard LUC 1.96 16/1860/2

[x2046]

Price: USD 17,800

Description

This is the Chopard L.U.C 1.96 reference 16/1860/2. The Chopard L.U.C, which are the initials of founder Louis-Ulysse-Chopard, is a movement that is among the most underrated in modern horology. More known as a jewellery house, Chopard was once upon a time overlooked as a serious watchmaking house. Given that their most recognizable watch is likely the Happy Diamonds, it’s safe to say that they were not looked at as a powerhouse in horology.

The revered 1.96 in-house calibre was introduced in 1996 after Chopard moved their movements in-house, which helped the brand gain respectability as a watch powerhouse for those in the know. The importance of Chopard’s Calibre 1.96 cannot be understated during a period of recovery from the Quartz crisis where most companies relied on a modified version of third party movements. Research on an in-house movement began in 1993 in collaboration with Michel Parmigiani, who now runs his own eponymous brand, and resulted in the Calibre 1.96 three years later as the brand’s first breakthrough into serious watchmaking.

First and foremost, the Calibre 1.96 is a testament to their dedication to watchmaking. The micro-rotor movement is finished to the highest standards with a engraved precious metal rotor of 22k yellow gold found on the yellow gold models or platinum on the white gold and bears the Geneva seal with COSC certification with a swan-neck regulator. The dial is from Metalem, which is the same manufacturer of dials for Philippe Dufour’s hallowed Simplicity.

As it is, Chopards with the Calibre 1.96 are rarely seen on the secondary market. For the ones who covet Chopard’s early movement and design language, this is definitely a highly desirable piece given the classically proportioned case, the Metalem guilloche dial and the legendary in-house movement.

Condition

This Chopard 16/1860/2 is in overall good condition with some hairlines on the yellow gold case. The dial is clean and both front and back sapphire crystals are flawless. All engravings on the caseback are still crisp and it comes accompanied with its original Chopard box and an extra yellow gold closed caseback with matching serial numbers. The watch is in full working order.

Specifications

Brand Chopard

Model L.U.C 1.96

Reference 16/1680/2

Case 37

Movement Automatic

Case material Yellow Gold

Bracelet material Leather

Year circa 2000s

Condition Good

Accessories Box and Extra Solid Caseback

Limited Yes. 1860 pieces

I am based in Singapore, I have some references which I am happy to share privately. I have references on Reddit / TRF / WUS as well and also sell on Chrono24 with lots of reviews. Price includes worldwide shipping.

Please let me know if you have any questions through the PM system or via my Instagram @dtimepieces.sg or through my website D-Timepieces