The Chopard 24 Hours of Le Mans 2015 Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Jacky Ickx Edition (Ref. 168535-3003) (wow, that’s a long name) is, for all practical purposes, simply a new iteration of the last year’s Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 ref. 168535-3002. The only thing that makes it visually different is a set of new color accents on the dial and bezel flange. Now also proudly wearing Jacky Ickx‘s signature on its engraved case back cover, the watch was originally designed to celebrate the long-standing partnership between the two high-end brands, but, it so happened that it also praises Porsche’s decisive victory at 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Chopard
Chopard L.U.C 8HF Power Control (Ref. 168575-9001)
The 2015 Chopard L.U.C 8HF Power Control (Ref. 168575-9001) features one of the best examples of the European industrial design. It also offers an unusual high-beating movement that, while being twice as fast as your average caliber, also manages to work for as long as 60 hours: a remarkable achievement in this extremely rarely populated class.
Chopard Mille Miglia Porsche Club of America (PCA)
The 2014 Chopard Mille Miglia for the Porsche Club of America (PCA) will never become a highly sought-after collector’s item. Still, all sixty-six examples will find their owners. Not just because the brand is so strongly associated with Porsche and their entire legacy. After all, offered in precious yellow gold, as well as in a less expensive (but still impressive) stainless steel body, the new accessory looks spectacular and gives a standard-issue Mille Miglia chronograph a run for its money.
Chopard L.U.C Lunar Big Date Redesigned (Ref. 161969-1001)
The stately Chopard L.U.C Lunar Big Date, one of the most striking models in their whole collection, has been slightly face-lifted in early 2014. Although the redesigned model doesn’t offer anything groundbreaking in terms of exterior finish or movement design, it now looks a lot more up-to-date and, well, relevant to the current design trends. Still a tiny bit too big for a modern dress watch, the new accessory nevertheless delivers you an extremely well-balanced combination of functionality and ease of use.
Chopard Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Limited Edition (Ref. 168535-3002)
Revealed in April 2014, the limited edition Chopard Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 (Ref. 168535-3002) celebrates the brand’s partnership with one of the most revered icons of the European car industry. More than three decades ago, the timeless design of the Porsche 928 has become a source of inspiration for the team that worked on Apple Macintosh. Now, their revolutionary 919 Hybrid sports prototype offers some design ideas for the Swiss watchmaker.
Chopard Grand Prix de Monaco Historique Chrono 2014
Chopard is known for its endless love for all things automotive. During the last two or three of years, they have introduced a number of beautiful sporty timekeepers (check this Mille Miglia Zagato Chronograph GMT Limited Edition (Ref. 168550-6001) for example) and it doesn’t look like they are going to stop churning out new racing-inspired chronographs and three-handers any time soon. Coming in a flashy black-and-yellow (a color scheme, which is often associated with Chevrolet’s Corvette Racing team, although I am not sure whether the similarity is intentional or purely coincidental), the Chopard Grand Prix de Monaco Historique Chrono 2014 (ref. 168570-3001) will not go unnoticed even if you plan to wear it with a Hawaiian shirt.
Chopard L.U.C 1963 50th Anniversary Chronometer
Here is a nice update from Chopard. Re-established back in 1963 when it was sold to a goldsmith Karl Scheufele III, the company rose to its former glory like a ballistic rocket. A pair of limited edition Chopard L.U.C 1963 50th Anniversary Chronometers (refs. 161963-5001 and 161963-9001) marks the semi-centenary of the luxury brand.
Chopard Mille Miglia Zagato Chronograph GMT Limited Edition (Ref. 168550-6001)
Being an official partner of the annual 1000 Miglia race, the Swiss watchmaker introduces new limited edition collections on an annual basis. This time, the company introduced a pair of nice Chopard Mille Miglia Zagato Chronograph GMTs with one of them (namely, the Ref. 168550-6001 reviewed here) featuring an impressive combination of black DLC body with a rose gold bezel.
Chopard Happy Sport Medium Automatic
While this Chopard Happy Sport Medium (ref. 278559-3001) doesn’t introduce anything new in terms the shape of its bulky-looking body or dial layout, the new member of the family marks the dawn of a new era for the Swiss watchmaker (or, at least, for the HS model range): it is in fact the first Happy Sport that swaps a simple and not particularly inspiring quartz movement for a more stimulating self-winding caliber.
Chopard Happy Heart Valentine’s Day Edition (Ref. 278475-3044)
Valentine’s Day will be here in less than five weeks and we’d better get the gifts ready. Or else. Like many other watchmakers and jewelers, Chopard is ready to capitalize on the upcoming craze by offering a special Valentine’s Day version of its bestselling Happy Sport collection. The Chopard Happy Heart Valentine’s Day Edition (Ref. 278475-3044) sports a polished stainless steel case, features three finely cut diamonds, but -somewhat disappointingly- is animated by a simple quartz movement.