Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860 168583-3001
About This Watch
The Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860 adds a date display and small seconds to the ultra-thin XPS platform, referencing the year 1860 when Louis-Ulysse Chopard founded the company in Sonvilier. The caliber L.U.C 96.01-L features the patented Twin barrel technology providing 65 hours of power reserve within a movement just 3.3mm thick. The silver dial features a sector design with a small seconds register at 6 o'clock and a date window at 3, adding functionality while maintaining the refined aesthetic. The 40mm rose gold case remains impressively thin at 7.7mm. Both COSC and Qualité Fleurier certifications confirm the movement's accuracy and the watch's overall quality. The Qualité Fleurier certification is particularly significant as it includes a 24-hour simulated wear test in addition to aesthetic evaluation — meaning the watch must perform flawlessly not just in static testing but in conditions mimicking real-world use. The L.U.C XPS 1860 is the pragmatist's choice within the L.U.C line: it offers the same ultra-thin manufacture quality with the added convenience of a date and small seconds.
In-Depth Review
Chopard's manufacture-grade in-house movement expertise shines through in the L.U.C XPS 1860, a dress watch that prioritizes horological substance over flashy complications. The Chopard L.U.C 96.01-L caliber delivers an impressive 65-hour power reserve while maintaining a svelte case profile of just 7.7mm—a technical achievement that demands precision engineering. At 40mm in 18k rose gold, the watch strikes a measured proportion between presence and wearability. The silver dial presents a restrained aesthetic anchored by date and small seconds subdials, while the brown alligator strap reinforces its positioning as refined evening wear rather than daily sport piece. This is watchmaking that respects tradition: sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, 29 jewels, and 28,800 vph frequency all signal honest construction rather than specification bloat.
The L.U.C XPS 1860 addresses owners who understand that true luxury in dress watches means legibility, reliability, and discretion. This is the choice for collectors who view a mechanical watch as a personal instrument rather than a status symbol, those attending boardrooms and galas with equal frequency. The 30-meter water resistance sensibly acknowledges its dress designation while the brown alligator strap pairs comfortably with business attire.
Against competing pieces at this level, the XPS 1860 occupies unique territory. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra-Thin Perpetual ($35,000+) offers greater complication but three times the thickness. Patek Philippe's Calatrava ($40,000+) provides iconic recognition at substantially higher cost. At roughly $12,000 on the secondary market against its $15,700 MSRP, the Chopard delivers
Specifications
Movement
| Movement Type | Automatic |
|---|---|
| Caliber | Chopard L.U.C 96.01-L |
| Power Reserve | 65 hours |
| Frequency | 28,800 vph |
| Jewels | 29 |
Case
| Case Diameter | 40.0mm |
|---|---|
| Case Thickness | 7.7mm |
| Case Material | 18k Rose Gold |
| Crystal | Sapphire with anti-reflective coating |
| Bezel | Fixed, polished |
| Dial Color | Silver |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Lug-to-Lug | 47.0mm |
Features
| Water Resistance | 30m / 98ft |
|---|---|
| Bracelet/Strap | Brown alligator leather strap |
| Clasp | 18k rose gold pin buckle |
| Weight | 60g |
| Complications |