Chopard Unveils Second Sapphire-Cased L.U.C Full Strike
Chopard Unveils Second Sapphire-Cased L.U.C Full Strike
The transparent minute repeater returns in a second limited-edition iteration.
Ten years after the debut of the L.U.C Full Strike, Chopard has introduced the Full Strike Sapphire Edition 2—the second minute repeater in the collection to be crafted entirely from sapphire crystal.
A decade after the arrival of the L.U.C Full Strike, Chopard presents the Full Strike Sapphire Edition 2, the second minute repeater in the series fashioned exclusively from sapphire crystal. This limited release features a case, crown, and dial all cut from lab-grown corundum, while the bridges and mainplate of the internal 08.01-L movement are finished with a rose gold PVD coating. The true distinction from the original sapphire model lies not in the material itself, but in the color of the movement, which is now fully revealed to the eye.
Ever since Chopard Manufacture in Fleurier redefined the standards for minute repeaters in 2016, the core technology has remained constant: the gongs and the sapphire crystal watch glass are machined from a single block of sapphire, requiring no screws, solder, or adhesives. The crystal itself acts as a resonator, transmitting vibrations directly into the air—a masterful feat of engineering that earned Chopard’s minute repeater the Aiguille d’Or (“Golden Hand”), the top prize at the 2017 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. This design was also incorporated into the “Sound of Eternity” collection, launched by the brand in 2022. Discount fake watches
The brand’s return to an all-sapphire case design is a development of great significance. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Chopard Manufacture in Fleurier, and the L.U.C Grand Strike—the most complex timepiece ever created by the manufacture, featuring 10 patents and requiring over 11,000 hours of research and development—stands as the ultimate symbol of this milestone. The “Sapphire Version 2” model, while more compact in size, offers an even more striking demonstration of Chopard’s mastery in the realm of acoustics.
A Transparent Masterpiece
With a case diameter of 42.5 mm and a thickness of 11.55 mm, the watch is perfectly proportioned for a striking timepiece designed to showcase its movement. Most remarkable is Chopard’s uncompromising approach to material: not only are the case middle, bezel, and case back crafted from sapphire crystal, but the crown—which incorporates the integrated striking mechanism pusher—and the openworked dial are also fashioned from the same material. With a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, sapphire crystal is not only exceptionally scratch-resistant but also offers remarkable transparency, allowing the 533 components of the movement to be clearly visible from both the front and the back.
Chopard has ensured that this visual spectacle does not come at the expense of legibility. The minute track is engraved directly onto the sapphire crystal, complemented by rhodium-plated V-shaped hour markers. A concentric power reserve indicator at 2 o’clock displays the energy levels for both the timekeeping and the striking mechanism—a crucial distinction for a minute repeater, as the striking function possesses its own dedicated power reserve rather than being merely decorative. Shopping replica watches
Hand-Wound with a Patented Regulator
The movement, caliber 08.01-L, is a hand-wound caliber measuring 37.2 mm in diameter and 7.97 mm in thickness. It operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a power reserve of 60 hours. A dedicated mainspring barrel powers the striking mechanism, ensuring that the energy required for chiming is entirely separate from that used for timekeeping—a standard practice for minute repeaters, yet particularly noteworthy given the exacting standards Chopard applied to this movement. Even more impressive than the technical specifications is how the movement governs the striking sequence. A patented system reduces the silent intervals between chimes; working in tandem with an inertial governor, it ensures a consistent tempo, regardless of the complexity of the striking sequence. Chopard has also highlighted other patents-pending features: a ratchet-driven mechanism designed to eliminate gaps within the chiming sequence, and an activation system engineered to prevent the accidental triggering of the striking mechanism via the pusher.
This movement carries both COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute) certification and the Poinçon de Genève (Geneva Seal). COSC certification involves a 15-day testing regimen for the uncased movement—conducted across five positions and three temperature ranges—requiring a daily precision of -4 to +6 seconds. The Geneva Seal, meanwhile, mandates not only high-precision timekeeping but also that the movement’s assembly, adjustment, and casing-up take place within the Canton of Geneva. It is rare for a timepiece with such a complex complication to hold both certifications, even within this price segment. high quality copy watches
Aesthetics and Tactility: The Distinctive Touch of Rose Gold
Compared to the initial sapphire-cased edition, the primary distinction in this second version lies in the PVD-coated bridges and mainplate, which now feature a 5N rose gold finish—complemented by Côtes de Genève (Geneva stripes) and a hairspring with a Phillips overcoil. While the first sapphire edition showcased the raw, metallic tones of the movement, this second iteration shifts the overall aesthetic toward a warmer palette; this is less a structural change and more a shift in how the materials themselves are presented. Nevertheless, within a fully transparent case, this tonal shift profoundly shapes the watch’s overall appearance and character. On the dial, an 18K white gold plaque bearing the brand’s logo—accented with black transferred motifs—stands out strikingly amidst the openworked design. The hour and minute hands are styled in the dauphine fashion, while the small seconds hand at 6 o’clock is baton-shaped and rhodium-plated. The timepiece is fitted with a hand-stitched grey alligator leather strap, featuring a matching grey lining and secured by an 18K white gold folding clasp—crafted from ethically sourced gold—that boasts both polished and satin-brushed finishes, perfectly complementing the overall aesthetic.
Where it fits in
Limited to just five pieces, the L.U.C Full Strike Sapphire Edition 2 is not about volume, but rather a demonstration of technical prowess. For Chopard, this is less of an entirely new design and more a continuation of the refinements made since the debut of the original Full Strike in 2016. At its core remains the integrated sapphire acoustic system, now enhanced by several additional patents that further optimize the regulation of the striking mechanism.
Consequently, the reference 168604-9003 is best understood not as a brand-new complication, but as an evolution—retaining the established architecture while introducing a new color palette for the movement—applied to a design that has already garnered widespread acclaim.
