LOUIS ULYSSE CHOPARD
UNIQUE AND RARE EXAMPLE OF TIMEPIECE
VERY BEAUTIFUL ANTIQUE WATCH CA 1890’s
VERY BEAUTIFUL MECHANICAL WORK
I am pleased to offer for sale this ca 1890’s timepiece. It is a registered design model that features an ORIGINAL PORCELAIN DIAL, CHROMED STEEL CASE, and high-grade mechanism with the THREE FINGER BRIDGE, RAISED & SCREWED THREEFOLD in ROSE GOLD CENTER JEWEL CHATON, BI-METALLIC MICROMETER REGULATOR & BLUE BREGUET BALANCE SPRING.
HISTORY of CHOPARD
By the middle of the 16th Century the watchmaking industry started developing in Switzerland when the Huguenots, French Protestants who were members of the Reformed Church, established in the region. Geneva and later the region of the Jura soon became the epicentric of the watchmaking industry.
During the windy months of winter in the region of the Swiss Jura, the country people dedicated their time to manufacture movements for Swiss presicion pocket watches. Peasents recieved orders from Geneva through the Comptoirs, selling organizations which provided the peasents with the components of watch mechanisms in order to have them assembled. In spring they collected the finished movements and started trading. Until 1830 only watches with key mechanisms were produced in the region. In 1860 Louis Ulysse Chopard founded his company in the small village of Sonvilier. There is no record of the first years production but we know that since then it has produced watches that meet the highest standards of quality and presicion. The first Chopard watch we know is a thick pocket watch with the signature Chopard e Sonviller.
In order to identify his production from the rest, L.U Chopard focused on quality and presicion and developed the finest watches in Sonvilier.
From the begining of the 20th century on, domestic traditional watchmakers started disapearing gradualy due to Industrial Revolution.
Chopard decided that there was still a clientele for his watches and left to Eastern Europe. He visited Hungary, Poland and Russia and his watches reached CZar Nicholas II’s court.
In 1920 the company moved to Ginebra.
The period between the two World Wars was critic for many watchmakers and jewelers, but not for L. U. Chopard, his son and their watches.
Louis Ulysse Chopard’s grandson, Andry-Paul Chopard, was the head of the firm until 1963 when he met Karl Scheufele III -member of a family with a great reputation in the jewelry business- and, finding himsef with no descendants, decided to leave the company in the young man’s hands.
Chopard ModelsLUCKarl Scheufele was convinced that the company had to produce its own movement as this meant to aquire the designation of a manufacture. Manufacturers are watchmakers who produce all the components of thier watches in-house.
1860:
In 1996 the firm created its first movement which was named LUC to honor Louis Ulysse Chopard. In 1997 the LUC 1860 was chosen as the Watch of the year.
Tonneau
The movement of this watch was a development of the 3.96 calibre The shape of the movement mateches the shape of the case.
Sport
In 1999 Chopard created the Sports 2000 This sporty wacth had leather or rubber strap and a 4.96 calibre.
Pro One
This model was launched in 2002 The Pro One is a diver’s watch. While it remains classical in its case it presents technical develotments that alow the watch to be accurate eaven at great depths.
Tourbillon
With a LUC 1.02 calibre Chopard’s first Tourbillin was launched in 2003. The creation of this movement implied many technical developments and a big step for the brand’s place in the watchmaker industry.
Regulateur
In 2005 Chopard received, once again, the distinction of Watch of the year with the Regulateur, a high presicion watch with a Quattro 1.98 movement, launched in 2004.
GMT
The GMT is the first one within the LUC line to feature a second time zone. The power reserve on this watch is of 65 hours.
Quattro
These watches were introduced on the market in 2000 with a new calibre, the 1.98. They presented a 9 days power reserve feature.
Twin
Specials
This timepiece features a handsome sunken ORIGINAL PORCELAIN DIAL is in excellent to mint condition. It features a 60 minute checkered outer track border with black enamel five minute Arabic numerals, black enamel main Roman numerals, GOLD steel Louis XVI filigree hands and a separate sunken sub-seconds dial with 60 second outer track, elegant Arabic numerals and “sweep” GOLD steel seconds hand.
It is a registered design model that features a three piece CHROMED STEEL case that provides with glass cover of back lid. This watch was converted from pocket watch. CHROMED STEEL case, new custom made, fantastic, build specially for this excellent movement. The Pumpkin-style winding crown is in very good shape and operates properly.
Peeking inside via the glass lid I find a spotless and high quality, manual wind gold plated lever escapement movement with the THREE FINGER BRIDGE, RAISED & SCREWED THREEFOLD in ROSE GOLD CENTER JEWEL CHATON, BI-METALLIC MICROMETER REGULATOR BLUE BREGUET BALANCE SPRING.
To enhance the power coming through the train, the center wheel is provided with a chaton jewel, which is mounted in rosé gold and is screwed threefold. Only jeweled holes minimize reliably the friction due to enormous driving power of the mainspring and consequently the going barrel. The screwed chaton allows the precise adjustment of the wheel and the quick change of the bearing jewel if necessary. The further wheel arbors are protected by jewels.
The movement that is stamped trademark CHOPARD symbol – the HIVE with BEES and signed LUC.
This beautiful wristwatch has the Original movement in an excellent status which was very well saved, considering age of this watch.
This is a “NAIL SET†watch so you don’t pull the crown out to set the time. Instead, you press the little button near the crown IN and then move the crown to set the hands, releasing the button once you’re finished. It’s easy, so don’t worry about getting the hang of it!
It is fitted on a new 22mm lack genuine leather strap with chromed steel buckle that is vintage style and goes great with this wonderful watch.
Diameter (with crown): 54.00 mm
Diameter (without crown): 48.00 mm
Watch crystal diameter: 43.00 mm
Thickness: 17.00 mm
This rare watch winds and set smoothly while keeping very good, accurate time.
Because of the vintage nature of the watch I cannot guarantee its absolute time keeping accuracy even if they are in good running condition and in some rare occasions may require additional adjustment.
Always an EXTRA FINE watches at a no Reserve Price!!!
If you like rare, antique, unique and collectible vintage wristwatches or pocket watches (or just enjoy learning about all the different watch makers and models) I suggest you bookmark this page or add me to your “Favorite Sellers” list. I always have beautiful pristine timepieces for sale ending Monday. Now on for 7 Years!Recommendations for the owner of vintage watches:– All Antique watches are mechanical. Many repairs will not be cheap, as most likely they will require replacement of non-standard parts (unlike most late model watches).- Antique watches should not be beaten or dropped – because repairs may be expensive.- Antique watches are generally NOT waterproof. This is because waterproofing was not in general production until the middle of the 20th century for most watches. Therefore you should protect your antique watch from exposure to moisture.- If your watch becomes wet it should be dried off quickly. Carefully open all covers and use a hair drier to blow dry the movement, dial, covers, crown. This will reduce the amount of rust.- If your watch becomes wet with any kind of salt water you should immediately immerse or spray your watch with fresh (no-salt) water to remove all the salt from the works before drying the watch completely. Any salt left in the watch will combine with moisture in the air to rust metal components of the movement, case etc.- Winding any mechanical watch tight may break the mainspring. If you can avoid it do not wind the watch hard.- When adjusting the hands of your watch, move them in a clockwise direction only. Counter-clockwise adjustments may damage the movement.- If you must adjust counter-clockwise make it for small adjustments only (i.e. for minutes, NOT hours).- Be careful and gentle when adjusting the movement speed (faster or slower). Don’t make sharp movements, and don’t touch other components in the movement especially the pendulum mechanism.- Every 2-3 years it is necessary to service and oil vintage watches.- If the watch is dirty – allow the watch to run down, don’t wind it again until you have it serviced by a qualified watch repair expert. Dust will absorb and remove important lubricants and cause the movement pieces to wear down.- To clean the case, dial and crystal you should use a cloth that does NOT leave fibers as these may get caught up in the movement. Check with your Watch repair expert to get an appropriate cloth.- Keep your antiques watch away from magnets. Strong magnetic fields may affect the accuracy of your watch since some vintage watches were made with iron based components in the movement.- Most Cases and Covers are fine components and will not handle abuse well. The watch should not be shaken, beaten, or stressed.- Antique watches generally experience an error of up to 5-7 minutes a day. Any accuracy of +- 5 minutes is very good.PAYMENT
Buyer must notify me within 24 hrs of auction close as to how and when he or she intends to pay. Winning bidders must fully pay within 7 days of the auction. After 7 days the piece will be relisted and appropriate action taken against the non-paying bidder. I participate in the Non-Paying Bidder program. Do not bid if you are not going to pay for your auction.I prefer PAYPAL but another methods are also accepted with prior approval. FIRST BEFORE sending a cheque to get full address.Zero feedback and negative feedback bidders must first email me BEFORE bidding. All I need is a brief courtesy email telling me who you are and how you would intend to pay if you where successful. I reserve the right to cancel any bids on this auction.SELLING POLICIES
100% satisfaction guarantee for all of my watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch I will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 60 days after the watch has been received. My goal is to exceed my client’s expectations throughout the buying experience. I and my team stand behind our products, if for any reason you’ll receive your product damaged or in non-functioning condition, please contact us immediately via email BEFORE leaving your feedback, we’ll gladly assist you in any way we can. Your satisfaction is important to me.To be fair to all bidders, I make it my practice never to end an auction early. I prefer not to use buy it now. I have many repeat customers who want my watches just as much as you do. Buy it now will only be considered for a relisted auction.Vintage watches are very delicate and I package to the highest degree to prevent damage.To clarify all my items are Vintage or Antique and as such should Not be expected to be like a New or Quartz watch in any way whatsoever! Please bear in mind that you are buying a used watch and it will require service at some point in time.If you have after reading the description or viewing the pictures please email me PRIOR to bidding. The watch in pictures is the actual watch that You will receive.I want you to feel safe and satisfied with the purchase of your item on .After receiving the returned item, I will make a full refund for your original payment.SHIPPING
International shipments worldwide will sent via International Air Mail fully insured (shipping and handling to all locations in the world is FREE).Items will be shipped to confirmed address on . Please check with if your address is confirmed.Please allow 10 to 14 days for delivery to all locations worldwide.We pack all items well but some antique watches are just not made to travel at today’s speed and may need set up and possibly adjustment after shipping and because of that I’m sorry but can not guarantee function or accuracy after shipping.You know that parcels go to Italy very long. Sometimes approx 2-3 weeks, sometimes near month and more. Be ready for these terms.California State residents (and those with shipping addresses in California State) add 8,75% sales tax.Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. Prior to bidding, check your country’s customs regulations to determine any additional costs.For all shipments the value of the item will be declared lower than the auction price for custom duties. Also I will mark item as “gift”. The taxes should be minimal.Dear Bidders, we kindly ask you:Please, do not bid if you are not fully commited to purchase this item!I and my team honor Contracts and expect the same from my clients!THANK YOU FOR LOOKING!Powered by Turbo Lister
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