Watch Mobile 7 - News 2012/08/06 - Chopard L.U.C. Qualité Fleurier

2012/08/06 - Chopard L.U.C. Qualité Fleurier - The very essence of Haute Horlogerie

Combining the COSC, Chronofiable and Fleuritest trials, the Fleurier Quality certification is undoubtedly the most demanding of all watch recognitions. The new duly certified, elegant and refined Chopard L.U.C Qualité Fleurier model thus embodies the very essence of Haute Horlogerie.

For the fourth time in the history of Chopard Manufacture, we present a model bearing the prestigious label. The following timepieces earned the certification previously: the first L.U.C Qualité Fleurier in 2005, the L.U.C Tech Qualité Fleurier in 2009, and the L.U.C Triple Certification Tourbillon in 2011.

To underscore the exceptional qualities of this authentic precision instrument, the dial of the new L.U.C Qualité Fleurier reveals refined and original technical details that are focused on readability: the sunburst satin-brushed silver-toned base appears designed to catch and hold the light, creating a remarkable contrast with the gilded hands, while the slender applied gilded baton-shaped hour-markers are surrounded by a minute track.

The 39 mm-diameter, 18-carat rose gold case with a transparent back houses L.U.C Calibre 96.09-L featuring two “Twin” technology stacked barrels endowed with an approximately 65-hour power reserve. Beating at the rhythm of 28,800 vibrations per hour, it drives the hour, minute and small seconds functions at 6 o’clock. The new L.U.C Qualité Fleurier model is water-resistant to 30 metres and fitted with a hand-sewn brown alligator leather strap equipped with a rose gold pin buckle. This exceptional model is issued in a 300-piece limited edition.

Three trials for one certification

The Fleurier Quality label is a particularly demanding guarantee of global quality granted by the Foundation bearing the same name. The Fleurier Quality Foundation is an independent certification body created in 2001. The certification process involves a series of steps aimed at guaranteeing not only the watch movement’s precision, but also its reliability, its durability and the quality of its aesthetic finishing. After the movement itself, the finished watch is also tested in simulated wearing conditions – hence the idea of global quality.

The precision of each movement is tested by the benchmark authority in this field, the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), the only organisation in Switzerland entitled to deliver the much sought-after “chronometer” title. During two weeks of testing the movement is put through various paces in five positions and at three different temperatures. The calibre’s variation in rate must fall within the tolerance range of -4/+6 seconds per day.

The durability and robustness are tested by the Chronofiable random sampling procedure conducted on a representative selection of finished watches. The latter are subjected to tests relating to ageing, heat, cold and damp, as well as to repeated pushing and pulling on the winding stem, to multiple triggering of the pushpieces, magnetic fields and violent impacts.

Finally, the smooth operation of the finished watch undergoes a further control by the Fleuritest machine specially developed by the Fleurier Quality Foundation to provide the most faithful possible simulation of wear on the wrist over a 24-hour cycle. The variation in rate is optically verified by a camera linked to a computer and must remain within 0 to +5 seconds for the entire 24-hour cycle.

Only timepieces that have successfully passed all these tests, and of which the movement features the required level of aesthetic finish, are deemed worthy to earn the Fleurier Quality certification.