Chopard L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 Straw Marquetry Edition Watch Review
The Chopard L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 Straw Marquetry Edition unites mechanical virtuosity with artisanal know-how to deliver a breathtaking performance. Offered in a choice of two executions, yellow or white gold, this exemplar of Haute Horlogerie features a glorious hand-crafted dial, comprising numerous lengths of rye straw, expertly cut and arranged to form a bewitching motif.
Chopard L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 Straw Marquetry Edition – dial
The L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 Straw Marquetry Edition isn’t just a spectacular technical and artistic triumph, it’s theatre on the wrist. More than just marking the passing hours, it performs a dramatic presentation of time. To call the front of the watch a dial would be an injustice. Rather, it’s like looking onto a proscenium as time performs.
A honeycomb pattern of straw marquetry stands centre stage. Crafted using a 17th century technique, it is textured, tactile and breathes with life. Creating this scenic canvas takes the extraordinary talent of an artisan obsessed with perfection. The process starts with a careful selection of rye straw that’s grown in the French region of Burgundy, after which it’s dyed to a very specific rich brown or black shade.
To construct each hexagonal segment, the artisan splits the piece of rye straw with a fingernail before flattening it with pliers, cutting it into a hexagon shape, using a scalpel, and then affixing it to an ethical gold base. The process is more art than science as the pieces come together in a beautiful composition, reminiscent of a honeycomb, varying in thickness, shade and orientation to form an intricate motif. Once complete, a wood wax coating is applied to give it lustre.
The honeycomb motif has been associated with the L.U.C collection since its debut in 1996. Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard, chose this symbol as a metaphor to represent the Manufacture’s ideals: industrious, honest and modest, a working hive comprising a harmonious collaboration of specialised craftspeople that bring timepieces to life.
The star of the show, the jumping hours, appears at 6 o’clock, fittingly situated at the front of the stage and framed in gold for maximum impact. The placement also ensures that the supporting player, the Dauphine fusée minute hand, doesn’t interrupt the leading character’s powerful performance when it instantaneously and theatrically flips to the next hour.
Chopard L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 Straw Marquetry Edition – L.U.C 98-06-L movement
As exciting as the show on centre stage is, there is an equally compelling world to discover backstage. Turn over the watch and through the exhibition caseback you’ll see the Chopard L.U.C 98.06-L movement, hallmarked with the prestigious Poinçon de Genève. An impressive piece of architecture, this hand-wound calibre employs four stacked barrels working in series to deliver 8 days of autonomy. When combined, the four mainsprings are nearly two metres in length – all within a profile of 4.85 mm. To ensure precision, the balance spring features a Phillips terminal curve, while a traditional swan neck regulator is used to finely adjust the length of the balance spring to achieve the optimal rate.
A power reserve also discreetly resides at 12 o’clock, indicating when it is necessary to wind the watch and energise the quartet of barrels.
Once again, drama isn’t just reserved for front of house. Beautiful finishing is on display backstage with Côtes de Genève basking in the light. Every bevel, every polished edge, every gilded engraving accentuates the beauty of the movement.
Chopard L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 Straw Marquetry Edition – case
This spectacular performance is staged in either an 18-carat yellow or white ethical gold 40 mm case with a 10.30 mm profile that comfortably slips under the cuff. It features a vertical satin-brushed case middle, which also extends to the space between the lugs. Both the bezel and case-back are highly polished, exuding a becoming appearance.
Closing remarks
This timepiece is not a blockbuster meant for the masses, but a strictly limited run staged for an audience of eight, each sat in the front row. Eight pieces. Eight wrists. Eight people will be granted access to this intimate performance. In a culture obsessed with visibility, virality and instant applause, Chopard has done something almost radical: it has mounted a show that will only be seen by a fortunate few. The L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 Straw Marquetry Edition offers a ticket to a perpetual, microscopic production where time is the actor, mechanics run the show and there’s always active drama happening onstage.
Further reading
Technical specification
- Model: Chopard L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 Straw Marquetry Edition
- Reference: 161977-0002 – 18-carat yellow ethical gold with brown straw marquetry dial
- Reference: 161977-1005 – 18-carat white ethical gold with black straw marquetry dial
- Case: diameter 40 mm, height 10.30 mm, sapphire crystal to front and exhibition case back
- Functions: instantaneous hours display in a 6 o’clock aperture, central display of the minutes, power-reserve indicator on the back of the watch, balance-stop function enabling accurate adjustments
- Movement: Calibre L.U.C 98.06-L, hand-wound movement, frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz), 42 jewels; power reserve 192 hours (8 days)
- Strap: co-ordinating hand-sewn alligator strap paired with a polished and satin-brushed pin buckle in ethical 18-carat yellow or white gold
- Price: £65,100 (RRP as of 13.2.2026)
- Limited Edition: 8 pieces in 18-carat yellow ethical gold + 8 pieces in 18-carat white ethical gold