Chopard, Kiton watch
Sartorially crafted straps are always a good thing, especially when a top Swiss watch brand teams with a top Italian suit maker. Recently, Chopard joined forces with Italian sartorial brand Kiton to create a limited edition watch that underscore the values of both luxury brands. Created in a limited edition of 100 pieces, the L.U.C XP II Sarto Kiton is all about elegance and sophistication.
The $10,800 watch is the result of a partnership between luxury watch brand Chopard and one of the world’s leading men’s clothiers, Kiton, that began with a meeting in Italy between Karl-Friedrich Scheufele of Chopard and Antonio De Matteis, CEO of Kiton Group. The two family-owned and operated brands share similar values of fine craftsmanship, excellence in design and incomparable quality.
The Chopard L.U.C XP II Sarto Kiton is a boutique exclusive.
The L.U.C II Sarto Kiton watch
The new L.U.C II Sarto Kiton watch is a Chopard boutique exclusive that will also be presented to Kiton clients during their unique private presentations. Each watch is the result of a collaboration of the two brands, and each is created with a cashmere and merino wool strap that is crafted in Napoli, Italy, by Kiton and is lined with red alligator leather.
Just 100 pieces of the ultra-thin watches will be made. Each is made of bead-blasted DLC steel and features houndstooth-patterned dial. Powered by the L.U.C 96.53-L self-winding ultra-thin mechanical movement, each L.U.C II Sarto Kiton watch is available via a “made to measure” suit created by Kiton Ateliers.
The special-edition 40mm watch measures just 7.2 mm in thickness — about a quarter of an inch. The sophisticated and elegant thinness echoes Ciro Paone, founder of Kiton’s motto of “Elegance must be associated with simplicity.”
The detail of the dial and of the strap of the Chopard L.U.C XP II Sarto Kiton watch is sublime.
The watch is crafted in stainless steel with a black DLC (Diamond-like coating) case and slate grey dial to offer a harmonious appeal. The dial is further enhanced with the tailor’s houndstooth motif that is achieved using lacquer and a galvanic treatment. Kiton is known for its houndstooth pattens that are inspired by the lot of clothing it acquired (at auction) of King Edward VIII of England.
The sophisticated dark watch boasts gold Arabic numerals, markers and hands, and the red Kiton button logo shares the dial, at 6:00, beneath the L.U.C Chopard logo at 12:00. Bright red topstitching appears above and below the lugs on the straps, which are free of chemical treatment and are made of Mongolian cashmere, wool and flannel.
The in-house-made Chopard automatic movement measures just 3.3 mm thick and is meticulously finished by hand. In fact, the movement can be viewed via a transparent sapphire case back. The 172-part movement offers 58 hours of power reserve thanks to the Chopard Twin Technology (two-barrels) concept.
Why the partnership between Kiton and Chopard works
This watch is exceptional in the quality from the movement, to the DLC coating of the case and the highly detailed dial. The strap, made in house at Kiton and featuring soft fabrics with a leather back, has a true bespoke appeal. Additionally, because it is a partnership between two highly distinguished brands, it just works — who doesn’t love sartorial prowess and top watchmaking. Even the price seems right.
The Chopard L.U.C XP II Sarto Kiton watch retails for $10,800.
