04/07/2026
Selling here Chopard L.U.C 16/1860/2 in yellow gold.
In the early 1990s, the Swiss watch industry was still recovering from the quartz crisis, and most brands relied heavily on outsourced movements from suppliers such as Valjoux, Lemania, and ETA. Few were willing to invest in true in-house development. Chopard took that risk. In 1993, with guidance from renowned independent watchmaker Michel Parmigiani, the brand began developing a proprietary movement. This effort culminated in 1996 with the creation of the L.U.C Manufacture and its debut model, the 16/1860.
The watch quickly earned widespread praise. Its in-house Calibre 1.96 was hailed by watch critic Walt Odets as “probably the finest automatic movement being produced in Switzerland today.” The level of finishing was exceptional for its time: a 22-carat engraved gold micro-rotor, beautifully polished bevels, and deep Côtes de Genève throughout. Even Philippe Dufour reportedly ranked Chopard second only to A. Lange & Söhne for finishing quality during that period.
The dial is produced by Metalem—the same maker behind the dial of the Simplicity from Philippe Dufour—and features a finely guilloché center framed by a restrained stepped design that catches the light beautifully.
As a whole, the 16/1860 embodies quiet refinement. Nothing about it feels ostentatious; instead, its appeal lies in its proportions, textures, and subtle details. With its elegant 37mm case and balanced design, the watch remains one of Chopard’s most overlooked references—and arguably one of the finest dress watches produced in its generation.
