Chopard Introduces the LUC 1963 Heritage Chronograph & LUC 1963 Heritage Regulator

Chopard is marking 30 years of its Manufacture in Fleurier with two new additions to the L.U.C collection, bringing together traditional Swiss watchmaking, refined finishing and modern technical performance. The new L.U.C 1963 Heritage Chronograph and L.U.C 1963 Heritage Regulator each offer a distinctive interpretation of Haute Horlogerie, with both limited to just 25 numbered pieces.

The new watches were also recently discovered by Gautier Capuçon during his visit to Chopard Manufacture in Geneva and Fleurier. The acclaimed cellist and Friend of the Maison met with Karl Fritz Scheufele, Haute Horlogerie Chief of Staff, to discuss time, precision, craftsmanship and the importance of the right gesture. The conversation highlighted the natural connection between music and watchmaking, where years of technical discipline ultimately become something that feels effortless.

At the center of the new L.U.C 1963 Heritage Chronograph is Chopard Manufacture’s manually wound L.U.C 03.07 L movement. The fully integrated column wheel chronograph builds on the architecture introduced with the L.U.C Chrono One and incorporates several patented technical solutions developed by Chopard’s research and development teams.

The flyback function allows successive timing operations through the pusher at 4 o’clock, while a system of three pivoting hammers with elastic arms provides a precise reset of the chronograph hands. A vertical clutch helps ensure smooth engagement, while the stop seconds function with zero reset allows the small seconds hand to return to zero when the crown is pulled, making precise synchronization possible.

The chronograph is housed in a rounded 42 mm Lucent Steel case with a distinctive Prussian Blue sunburst dial. The color has a particular connection to Neuchâtel and the history of the region where Chopard established its Fleurier Manufacture 30 years ago. The dial avoids a date display and instead focuses on clarity, with large rounded numerals and a clean layout designed to make the chronograph indications easy to read.

Through the sapphire crystal caseback, owners can admire the manually wound movement in its entirety. Its 60 hour power reserve is supported by a 28,800 vph frequency and 38 jewels. The movement combines circular graining, straight graining and Côtes de Genève decoration, while German silver bridges contrast with a gold colored mainplate and gilded bevelled angles. The finishing is recognized by the prestigious Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark.

The L.U.C 1963 Heritage Chronograph measures 42 mm in diameter and 11.48 mm in thickness, with 50 metre water resistance. It is fitted with a brown alligator leather strap and Lucent Steel pin buckle. The numbered 25 piece edition is exclusively available at Chopard boutiques.

Alongside the chronograph, Chopard introduces a new L.U.C 1963 Heritage Regulator, offering a more restrained expression of the collection while retaining an impressive level of mechanical sophistication.

The regulator design has deep roots in precision timekeeping. Traditional regulator clocks were once used by watchmakers and observatories as reference instruments, separating the hours, minutes and seconds into individual displays for greater clarity. Chopard brought this historic format to the wrist in 2006 and revisited the concept in 2015. The 2026 edition continues that story with a contemporary 40 mm case.

The new L.U.C 1963 Heritage Regulator features an 18 carat ethical white gold case measuring 40 mm in diameter and just 10.30 mm thick. Its silver toned dial combines a satin finished sunburst surface with opaline subdials, subtle detailing and blue transfers. Despite displaying six separate indications, the design maintains a remarkably clean appearance.

The central hand displays the minutes, while the hours appear at 3 o’clock and small seconds sit at 6 o’clock. A 24 hour GMT display occupies the 9 o’clock position, a power reserve indicator sits at 12 o’clock and a discreet date window is positioned at 6 o’clock.

Inside is the manually wound L.U.C 98.02 L calibre, developed, constructed and assembled entirely at Chopard Manufacture. The movement uses Chopard’s Quattro technology, which combines four mainspring barrels to deliver an exceptional 216 hour power reserve, equivalent to nine days. Despite this impressive autonomy, the movement remains only 4.90 mm thick.

The regulator is also COSC chronometer certified and carries the Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark. Its 18 carat ethical white gold case is complemented by a grey alligator leather strap and matching white gold pin buckle. Like the chronograph, the regulator is limited to 25 numbered pieces and is exclusively available through Chopard boutiques.

Both watches also reflect the importance of Chopard Manufacture Fleurier to the Maison’s watchmaking identity. Founded in 1996 by Karl Friedrich Scheufele, the Manufacture was established to preserve traditional Swiss watchmaking expertise while embracing innovation. Since the creation of the L.U.C collection, Chopard has designed, developed and produced its L.U.C movements within the Manufacture.

The L.U.C collection itself pays tribute to Louis Ulysse Chopard, founder of Chopard’s first workshops in 1860. Its first Manufacture calibre, the L.U.C 96.01 L, debuted in 1996, followed by the L.U.C 1860 watch in 1997. Over the years, the collection has expanded to include major complications while maintaining a focus on precision and hand finishing. The L.U.C Full Strike minute repeater received the Aiguille d’Or at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in 2017.

The new L.U.C 1963 Heritage Chronograph and L.U.C 1963 Heritage Regulator therefore represent more than two limited edition watches. They capture the philosophy that has shaped Chopard’s Manufacture in Fleurier for three decades, bringing together mechanical innovation, traditional craftsmanship and a strong sense of aesthetic restraint.

For collectors of fine Swiss watches, the appeal is equally clear. One offers the technical drama of a hand wound flyback chronograph in Lucent Steel, while the other combines the distinctive regulator display with a nine day power reserve and an elegant ethical white gold case. Together, they provide two very different expressions of the same Chopard commitment to Haute Horlogerie.

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Adrienne Faurote

Editor in Chief · Haute Time

As a former New Yorker, now a “Miamian,” Adrienne Faurote joined Haute Living in August of 2021. She currently serves as the Haute Media Group Editor-in-Chief, overseeing all editorial platforms within the Haute Media Group while also maintaining her role as Fashion, Jewelry & Watch Director. Prior to her position at Haute Living, Faurote was the Market Editor at Marie Claire Magazine US, amassing over ten years in the industry, becoming an authoritative voice in all things fashion, jewelry, and watches.