Keeper Pieces - Chopard L.U.C. 1937 Limited Edition

So many people have asked me why I have so many watches in my collection and whether I even have enough time to wear all of them – and I realized that almost all of my watches tell a story. Some are for birthdays, graduations and other achievements. Others are horological innovations that sparked my curiosity, or a complication that no other watch in my collection can match.

In this new series I will delve into the watches that comprise a sprawling collection that reveals a bit about myself as a collector but also as a person. Some choices are very personal, whereas others align with mainstream watch enthusiast sentiments. I’ll also discuss why each watch was added to my collection, why I love the watch and why you should consider it for your own collection.

Overview

This watch is the Chopard L.U.C. 1937 Limited Edition, and it was first released in 2010 to celebrate Chopard’s 150th anniversary as a limited edition of just 1937 pieces. Housed in a 42mm by 11.5 mm stainless steel case with alternating polished sides and chamfered edges. This timepiece features a silver sunburst dial with crisp polished Roman numerals and a striking red seconds hand, adding a subtle yet bold contrast.

At its heart beats the L.U.C Caliber 01.01-L, an in-house automatic movement with COSC chronometer certification, ensuring precision and reliability. The watch is also equipped with a screw-down crown, 100-meters of water resistance and a sapphire case back to admire the beautiful L.U.C. movement.

In my opinion, this limited edition embodies Chopard’s commitment to haute horology, offering a perfect balance of timeless design and contemporary performance. The L.U.C. Caliber 01.01-L movement was Chopard’s first foray into a more mainstream luxury movement, which still meets L.U.C.’s exacting standards. For those not familiar with Chopard’s L.U.C. manufacture, L.U.C. is the brand’s highest level of movement manufacturing and includes haute horology movements from tourbillons to minute repeaters. It continues to be one of the hidden gems of the watch world as most have not caught on to the serious level of technical prowess paired with high-end finishing that almost feels “reasonable” for the price.

Why this watch is in my collection?

So, why is this specific watch, which is over 15 years old now, a recent edition to my collection? For one, I saw this on a random Reddit forum years ago and was immediately struck by the clean dial design and the striking red seconds hand.

The attention to detail, both in the watch’s design and the movement, are the primary reasons why I bought this particular watch. For example, I love how the sunburst dial design doesn’t just center in the middle of the dial (which is what almost every other manufacturer does) – it emanates from the “Chopard” name on the dial. This draws the viewers eyes towards the beautifully printed name on the dial and is just a really unique design element that took extra time and care for Chopard to execute.

No discussion about this watch is complete without talking about the movement. The L.U.C. Caliber 01.01-L is an absolute show-stopper when it comes to movement design. The unique bridges and chamfered edges are expertly finished with Geneva striping and perlage to reflect light brilliantly. From a technical perspective, the 01.01-L is constructed of from 207 parts, 31 jewels and features a 60-hour power reserve. Even better, the movement is COSC certified and keeps time extremely accurately.

Why is this watch a "keeper piece"?

As my collection has matured, I’ve started to look for the unique pieces that stand apart from the rest of my collection. The Chopard’s red seconds hand, beautiful dial and incredible movement are all features that, when taken together, form a really compelling piece from one of the most venerated and old watch manufacturers in the world. Even though the watch was over 15 years when I purchased it, I think the design has held up excellently and will continue to be a versatile piece in my collect.

I was also able to acquire this piece for just under $4,000, and when I considered all of the above factors and the fact that this was one of Chopard's flagship models, the price seemed like a fantastic value proposition to me. I am so happy to have this particular watch in my collection and I hope it inspires you to take a look at some neo-vintage pieces from some of the less-trafficked watch manufacturers.