Chopard - 2000s Tech Twist Limited Edition 168490-3002

WHAT WE LOVE:

Chopard's L.U.C. manufacture — named after founder Louis-Ulysse Chopard — is one of the genuinely great watchmaking workshops in Geneva. The L.U.C. 96 TB movement inside the Tech Twist carries all three. The Tech Twist is the watch that expresses that movement most visually dramatically — a skeletonised, open-worked configuration that reveals the movement architecture from the front, with the dial rotated 30° from its standard position, and an off-centre crown at 4 o'clock protected by an asymmetric guard that gives the watch its most immediately distinctive feature from the three-quarter view.

The "Tech" designation references the skeletonisation — the bridges and plates machined to reveal the movement — while "Twist" references the 30° dial rotation that places the hour markers in an unusual position relative to the case. The result is a watch that reads differently from any standard round-case watch, with the top of the dial and the crown position creating a compositional angle that rewards extended looking. The blued hands against the silver-and-grey skeleton movement, the Arabic numerals, the small seconds and date at 7 o'clock, and the deep navy leather strap shown in the photo create a watch that manages to be simultaneously technically serious and visually playful — a balance that the L.U.C. collection very rarely attempts and almost never achieves as well as here. Limited to 250 pieces in stainless steel.

WHAT'S INSIDE:

The 168490-3002 is powered by the Chopard Calibre L.U.C 96 TB — a manufacture automatic movement with 65-hour power reserve via twin mainspring barrels, COSC chronometer certified, POINÇON de Genève hallmarked, and Chronofiable certified. The movement is open-worked and visible through the skeletonised front dial, displaying the architecture of the bridges, barrels, and balance wheel directly. Complications include small seconds and date indication at 7 o'clock. Water resistance is 30 metres. The exhibition sapphire caseback confirms the full L.U.C. movement from the reverse.

FIVEFORTYFIVE SIX MONTHS WARRANTY