Chopard L.U.C Full Strike Spirit of the Warrior

Chopard has introduced a singular creation that merges the disciplined world of Swiss high watchmaking with the ancient martial traditions of Japan. The L.U.C Full Strike Spirit of the Warrior is a one-of-a-kind timepiece, an intricate mechanical object that serves as a canvas for profound artistic expression. This watch leverages the brand's most celebrated minute repeater mechanism and adorns it with motifs and symbolism drawn directly from the ethos of the samurai, creating a powerful statement piece crafted from 18-carat ethical white gold.



The genesis of this unique model can be traced to the long-standing appreciation Chopard’s Co-President, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, holds for Japanese culture. Over four decades of regular visits to Japan, he developed a deep fascination for the nation's ability to elevate functional objects into works of art. This cultural philosophy, where rigorous discipline, aesthetic sensitivity, and profound humility converge in the pursuit of perfection, resonates strongly with the guiding principles of the Chopard L.U.C collection. The L.U.C line has always embodied a demanding, sincere, and deeply humanistic approach to watchmaking, built upon a foundation of respect for traditional savoir-faire and an obsession with subtle details.



Every surface of the L.U.C Full Strike Spirit of the Warrior is a testament to the art of hand-engraving, transforming the watch into a narrative sculpture. The dial immediately draws the eye to a meticulously engraved menpo, the fearsome half-mask of a samurai warrior. This central element is not merely decorative; it is a powerful symbol of the samurai's code of honor, discipline, and loyalty—values that find a parallel in the world of Haute Horlogerie. The mask, with its ferocious expression, shaggy moustache, and gaping mouth, is evocative of historical armor from the Edo period (1603-1868), designed to intimidate adversaries on the battlefield. This dramatic and potent face sets the tone for a martial aesthetic imbued with strength and symbolism.



The artistic narrative extends beyond the dial, enveloping the entire case. The caseband is transformed into a sculpted fresco, depicting intense combat scenes juxtaposed with moments of quiet meditation, skillfully illustrating the essential duality of the warrior's life—a balance between martial prowess and a profound spiritual quest. Standing guard between the lugs are engraved oni, ogre-like creatures from Japanese folklore, rendered in extreme detail. These figures serve as protective entities, watching over the wearer. The bezel continues this theme with patterns inspired by traditional armor, such as the flat kebiki odoshi cords used for lacing armor plates, and other ornaments that recall ancient masks.



Even the crown is integrated into this artistic vision, featuring a finely engraved peony. In Japanese culture, the peony symbolizes honor, courage, and strength, adding another layer of meaning to the timepiece. The experience culminates on the reverse side, where the hand-decorated movement is visible through an exhibition back. The bridges of the caliber are adorned with stylized waves and a komainu, a mythological guardian lion akin to those found protecting sacred temples. Each engraved element on this singular creation is a deliberate tribute to Japanese aesthetics and spirituality, turning the act of engraving into a form of storytelling.



At the heart of this artistic masterpiece beats one of the most sophisticated movements in modern watchmaking: the L.U.C Calibre 08.01-L. First developed by Chopard Manufacture in 2016, this mechanical minute repeater movement is celebrated for its ability to strike the hours, quarters, and minutes with notes of unparalleled clarity and purity. The source of this exceptional sound lies in a groundbreaking and patented design. The sapphire crystal protecting the dial and the gongs that produce the audible time indication are not separate components; they are machined as a single, monobloc piece from a solid block of sapphire. This seamless construction, achieved without any welding, screws, or glue, gives the L.U.C Full Strike a sound intensity and acoustic quality that remains unique in the watch industry.



The technical prowess of this movement has been widely recognized. Its innovative construction and inalterable acoustics were instrumental in the original rose gold L.U.C Full Strike earning the prestigious “Aiguille d’Or” best-in-show prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in 2017. This award solidified the caliber's reputation as a feat of horological engineering, and in the Spirit of the Warrior, this same mechanical genius is paired with extraordinary artistic craftsmanship.



Understanding the delicate nature of minute repeater mechanisms, Chopard’s engineers incorporated several patented systems into the L.U.C Calibre 08.01-L to secure its operation and protect it from mishandling. One of the primary risks with such a complication is activating the chiming mechanism while a sequence is already in progress, which can lead to severe damage. To prevent this, the movement is equipped with a clever disengagement system for the chime activation pusher. If the pusher is pressed while the watch is chiming, it simply disconnects from the mechanism, having no effect and thus preventing any potential breakage.



To further ensure a flawless performance, the caliber is designed with a separate barrel dedicated solely to the strikework. This ensures that the minute repeater function has its own independent power source. This barrel stores enough energy to perform 12 complete soundings of the longest possible time sequence, which occurs at 12:59 and consists of 32 distinct strikes. As a safeguard, the strikework will not activate at all if the dedicated barrel has insufficient energy to complete the full sequence required, preventing an inaccurate or incomplete time reading.



This dedicated power source also guarantees that the intensity of each strike on the gongs remains constant from the first chime to the last, regardless of the mainspring's tension. In a final touch of mechanical refinement, the movement is designed to skip silent pauses between the striking of hours, quarters, and minutes. For example, when chiming 1:04, there is no awkward silence where the quarters would normally be struck. The watch transitions smoothly from the hour strike directly to the minute strikes, sounding them in a fluid and direct succession.



The dial, though dominated by the samurai mask, also incorporates functional displays with exceptional clarity. The power reserve for the strikework is indicated by a gilded baton-type hand at the 2 o’clock position, pointing to a graduated scale topped by a small bell icon. Concentric to this is a slightly shorter hand indicating the movement's main 60-hour power reserve on an adjacent scale. The hours and minutes are shown by gilded Dauphine fusée-type hands, which sweep over a subtle railway-style minute track engraved directly onto the inner surface of the sapphire crystal, leaving the engraved dial unobstructed.



The case of the L.U.C Full Strike Spirit of the Warrior is fashioned from 18-carat ethical white gold, providing a substantial yet refined housing for the intricate mechanics and artistry within. It measures 42.50 mm in diameter and has a thickness of 11.55 mm, dimensions that provide a commanding presence on the wrist while remaining wearable. The entire exterior, from the bezel and caseband to the lugs and crown, serves as the three-dimensional canvas for the hand-engraved Japanese warrior motifs. A glare-proofed sapphire crystal provides a clear view of the dial, while an exhibition caseback reveals the equally decorated movement.



This one-of-a-kind model is presented with two strap options, allowing for different expressions. The first is a striking strap made from red and black kimono fabric, directly tying the watch to its Japanese inspiration. The second is a more conventional yet luxurious option of hand-sewn black alligator leather. Both are fitted with a hand-engraved folding clasp, also crafted from 18-carat ethical white gold, ensuring the artistic theme is carried through to the final detail.



To fully appreciate the acoustic properties of this timepiece, Chopard has developed a unique presentation chest that functions as both a display case and a sound amplifier. The watch is housed within a black box lined with red kamosho fabric, creating a setting that highlights its martial inspiration. At its core is a soundbox made from spruce wood, a material chosen for its excellent resonant properties, specifically designed to magnify the acoustics of the chiming mechanism. This allows the listener to fully experience the purity and tonal richness of the monobloc sapphire gongs. The case is further engraved with words from the samurai code of honor, including Justice, Courage, Sincerity, and Loyalty, reinforcing the deep spiritual connection between the object and its Japanese heritage.



The exceptional quality of the L.U.C Full Strike Spirit of the Warrior is certified by the Poinçon de Genève, or Geneva Seal. This prestigious quality hallmark guarantees the highest standards of manufacturing, finishing, and proper functioning for watches assembled in the canton of Geneva. The seal, represented by the coat of arms of Geneva with its golden key and eagle, is stamped on the back of the watch and on the main bridge of the movement, serving as an independent validation of its superlative craftsmanship.



As a singular, one-of-a-kind creation, the Chopard L.U.C Full Strike Spirit of the Warrior (Ref. 161947-1006) represents a nexus of high-level watchmaking, artistic mastery, and cultural homage. It is not available as a regular production model but stands as a unique piece for a collector who appreciates the convergence of mechanical complexity and the profound narrative power of traditional craftsmanship. Its availability is limited to this single, extraordinary example, a testament to the highest ideals of both Swiss horology and the samurai spirit.



Case: 18-carat ethical white gold, 42.50 mm diameter, 11.55 mm thickness. Fully hand-engraved bezel, caseband, and lugs. Glare-proofed sapphire crystal and exhibition caseback.

Movement: L.U.C 08.01-L hand-wound mechanical calibre. 533 components, 63 jewels, 60-hour power reserve, 4 Hz (28,800 vph) frequency. Minute repeater complication. Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark.

Dial: Openworked 18-carat ethical white gold, hand-engraved with a Samurai mask motif. Gilded Dauphine fusée-type hands for hours/minutes and gilded baton-type hands for power reserve indicators.

Strap: Red and black kimono fabric strap or a hand-sewn black alligator leather strap. Hand-engraved 18-carat ethical white gold folding clasp.

Price: Price upon request.

Reference Number: 161947-1006

Notes: A one-of-a-kind creation. The minute repeater features a patented system where the gongs and sapphire crystal are a single monobloc piece, creating a unique crystal-clear sound. The entire watch is a canvas for intricate hand-engraving inspired by Japanese warrior motifs.