Delve into the Intricate Complexity of Chopard's Most Complicated Creation: The L.U.C. Grand Strike

The Chopard manufacture has truly outdone itself, unveiling a breathtaking amalgamation of intricate design and functionality. The L.U.C Grand Strike stands as the most complex timepiece ever produced by the horological powerhouse. Implementing no fewer than ten technical patents, the Chopard L.U.C Grand Strike features a wealth of chiming complications, most notably the ‘grande sonnerie’ and ‘petite sonneries’. These features automatically chime the hours and quarters of the hour, as well as the time on demand, enabled via a seamlessly integrated pusher in the watch’s crown.

The watch’s melodic functionality is achieved through the use of traditional metal hammers striking proprietary sapphire crystal gongs, which are ingeniously prepared from a single block of sapphire crystal. This unique construction, harmonized with the watch glass, delivers an impressively loud, clear sound echoed through a noteworthy C#-F natural chord.

Beyond the chiming complications, the Grand Strike showcases traditional Dauphine-shaped central hour and minute hands and a visible 60-second tourbillon at the 6 o’clock position, promoting precise time setting. The watch’s tourbillon is furnished with a dedicated small seconds hand and a stop-seconds function, once more, promoting accurate time setting. Ensuring its precision, the COSC certified that the watch’s movement adheres to chronometer specifications.

Housed in a 43 mm diameter x 14.08 mm in thickness 18K ethical white gold case, the watch also includes a dial-less display, or openworked, revealing the 686-component, 67-jewel manually wound caliber L.U.C 08.03-L. To cater to the wearer’s preference, a sliding selector switch enables a choice between Grande Sonnerie, Petite Sonnerie, and Silence modes.

With two separate power barrels – one for timekeeping and another for the striking mechanism, the L.U.C. Grand Strike truly is a paragon of design and operational prowess. Priced close to a million dollars and painstakingly produced, with only two to three models made per year. The L.U.C. Grand Strike is another clear testament to the exceptional craftsmanship and artistry that Chopard employs in their products.