L.U.C Heritage EHG Moon 122

L.U.C Heritage EHG Moon 122

An astronomical moonphase timepiece honouring Chopard's commitment to preserving watchmaking expertise through its partnership with the Geneva School of Watchmaking

Celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Geneva School of Watchmaking (EHG), Chopard is unveiling its new L.U.C Heritage EHG Moon 122 model in ethical 18-carat rose gold. Epitomising the Manufacture's artisanal excellence, this 20-piece limited edition is equipped with the new manual-winding chronometer-certified L.U.C Calibre 63.04-L and bears the prestigious Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark. It is also fitted with an astronomical moonphase display requiring a one-day correction only once every 122 years. Adorned with impressions of constellations, its elegant aventurine dial provides a striking rendering of the night sky’s natural beauty. Presenting a glowing tribute to ancestral watchmaking skills and their perpetuation, the L.U.C Heritage EHG Moon 122 model underlines Chopard's dedication to training the next generations of watchmakers.

An astronomically accurate moonphase movement

The calibres in the L.U.C collection are all crafted in Chopard’s Haute Horlogerie workshops. The Manufacture’s unparalleled artisanal skills mastered in-house enable it to offer timepieces that are technically and aesthetically unique. The new L.U.C 63.04-L movement powering the L.U.C Heritage EHG Moon 122 is a variation of manual-winding L.U.C Calibre 63.01-L. Its chronometric precision is certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). For the first time, Chopard's astronomical moonphase module is added to the structure of this high-precision calibre. Unlike a standard moon phase needing adjustment every two years and seven months, the astronomical moon requires a one-day adjustment just once every 122 years and 45 days. On the scale of a lunar cycle lasting from one new moon to the next, the error between the real trajectory of the moon and Chopard’s astronomical moon phase is just 57 seconds – an authentic technical feat achieved by the master watchmakers of the Manufacture.

Chopard's commitment to passing on expertise

The Geneva School of Watchmaking celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2024. Building on its partnership since 2004 with this institution dedicated to perpetuating watchmaking expertise, Chopard is delighted to present the L.U.C Heritage EHG Moon 122. The movement of this outstanding new model draws cues from the calibre that Chopard supplies to the school to enable each apprentice to create their graduation timepiece during their fourth year of training. Chopard thus contributes to the EHG’s mission which is expressed through consistently broadening the wider watchmaking community, passing on traditional expertise and motivating generations of students.

For over 20 years, Chopard has annually gifted a dozen final-year students a ‘school-calibre’ (L.U.C 06.01-L, which itself inspired the L.U.C 63.01-L movement) defined in collaboration with the EHG. Fruitful discussions between Chopard and the EHG led to the creation of a kit of finished and partially finished components, offering students the opportunity to perfect their decorative and operational techniques as part of the school's educational programme. As part of the school’s 200th anniversary celebrations, Chopard and the EHG jointly decided that the astronomical moonphase module would be added to the base calibre for watchmakers wishing to continue their studies for an additional year to become watch repair specialists.

Above and beyond this collaboration with the EHG, Chopard's dedication to watchmaking training has been honoured by the industry with awards such as the “Best Training Company Prize” in the “Technical Centre” category in 2024, as well as in the “Applied Arts” category in 2008.

“The history of our family is the cornerstone of Chopard, laid by artisans and passed down from generation to generation. This expertise is precious. Training is the only way to guarantee the continuity of these ancestral watchmaking and jewellery arts. Without passing on know-how, the future of these professions dedicated to beauty is not assured”, explains Chopard’s Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele.

A timepiece inspired by the Manufacture’s horological heritage

Embodying artisanal watchmaking traditions and the need to pass them on, a movement as refined as this could only be housed in a case inspired by the Maison’s horological heritage. Combining tradition and modernity, this case in ethical 18-carat rose gold features rounded shapes reminiscent of the hunter-type exteriors of pocket watches designed in the 19th century by Louis-Ulysse Chopard – hence the term ‘Heritage’ in the name of this new model. The case middle is elegantly satin-finished and vertical-brushed, while the bezel and case-back are mirror-polished. Its distinctive welded polished lugs evoke early wristwatches. In another reference to the Maison’s heritage, the crown is adorned with the L.U.C. logo recalling a historical Chopard logo.

The expert artisans of the Manufacture have enhanced the astronomical moon phase at 3 o'clock with a hand-hammered and engraved depiction of the Moon on a rose gold and aventurine indicator, creating a fascinating interpretation of the lunar cycles. At 9 o'clock, the same meticulous care and excellence has been applied to offering an original view of the globe observed from the North Pole: a miniature sculpture of the Earth in gold with intense blue lacquer-filled oceans adding depth and refinement to the portrayal. Adorned with white transfers mainly depicting the constellations of the Northern hemisphere, an exquisite aventurine dial on a gold base sets the perfect finishing touch to the ethereal beauty of this extraordinary moon phase.

The elegance and excellence of this remarkably rounded, curvaceous timepiece – equipped with its in-house movement and enhanced with deftly handcrafted finishing – is rewarded by the prestigious Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark. Its sophistication is such that it will be issued in a numbered 20-piece limited edition, thereby accentuating its appeal to connoisseurs of exceptional watchmaking.

More than a standout timepiece, this new L.U.C Heritage EHG Moon 122 is a tribute to the partnership with the Geneva School of Watchmaking (as confirmed by the ‘EHG’ in its name) and to Chopard's commitment to passing on the artisanal skills of Haute Horlogerie.