When Motorsport Meets Haute Horology: Chopard's Sensational Zagato Lab One Concept

Chopard’s Zagato Lab One Concept elicited polarising reactions. Departing from their traditional Mille Miglia racing-themed watches, the fresh concept seemingly applied the ‘bird cage’ car-chassis aesthetic to a wristwatch. It was hailed by some as an unmatched boundary pusher, while others took longer to approach its unwonted appearance. The concept watch serves to merge the tastes of Chopard’s co-president Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and Andrea Michele Zagato, with emphasis on lightness and aerodynamic efficiency, aiming to echo the sensation of speed.

The design of the Zagato Lab One Concept is a first of its kind for Chopard. In a bid to enhance rigidity and lose weight, the watch case has a latticework skeletal frame developed from ceramicised titanium tubes, moving away from the typical round watch case. This novel construction results in an ultra-light watch while creating an enduring piece that sits comfortably on the wrist. Its 42mm in diameter and 11.15mm high case, made with highly-resistant, fade-proof matte ceramicised titanium combines performance with aesthetics.

The watch breaks away from traditional layout, incorporating titanium mainplate to showcase time and power reserve. Its innovative design and visual appeal are reminiscent of the fantastical elements of premium car manufacturers, emulating a car’s differential gear on the crown and symbolising a petrol gauge for power reserve.