Get ready to have your mind blown: Chopard and Zagato have teamed up to create a watch that’s more like a high-octane racing prototype than a traditional timepiece. But here’s where it gets controversial—this isn’t a watch designed to please everyone; it’s a bold statement about what’s possible when watchmaking collides with automotive engineering. And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just about looks; it’s a no-compromise experiment in design, materials, and construction. Let’s dive into what makes the Chopard Zagato Lab One Concept a game-changer.
At first glance, the 42 mm case might seem familiar, but its construction is anything but ordinary. Inspired by the tubular chassis of race cars, this watch’s architecture is a masterclass in innovation. Crafted from ceramized titanium—a material that’s both lightweight (just 43.2 grams with the strap) and incredibly durable—it’s treated with electroplasma to achieve a hardness of around 1,000 Vickers. This means it’s scratch-resistant without adding unnecessary weight. Here’s the kicker: traditional lugs are replaced with self-locking tubular loops that pivot up to 45°, ensuring a perfect fit on any wrist. Even the crown gets a racing-inspired touch with an engraved steering wheel motif. The watch comes with two straps—one in technical fabric with Velcro and the other in calf leather—both featuring ceramized titanium buckles. It’s water-resistant to 50 meters, but let’s be honest, this isn’t a watch you’ll take swimming.
Now, let’s talk about the dial—or rather, the lack thereof. Instead of a traditional face, the movement’s mainplate takes center stage, adorned with Zagato’s iconic raised “Z” logo. This integrated design screams industrial chic, enhanced by rhodium-plated chamfers. The skeletonized hands resemble racing steering wheels, and the power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock looks like a fuel gauge. But here’s the real showstopper: the tourbillon at 6 o’clock, which gives the watch a sense of constant motion, like an engine roaring to life. It’s a design that’s as functional as it is artistic.
Under the hood, the L.U.C 04.04-L movement is a marvel of engineering. Entirely designed and produced by Chopard, it follows the lightweight philosophy of the Engine One caliber introduced in 2010. Every component is optimized to reduce weight without sacrificing precision. The mainplate and bridges are made from ceramized titanium—a rare choice for a mechanical movement, especially one with a tourbillon. This manual-winding movement is COSC-certified, beats at 28,800 vph, and boasts 207 components, 29 jewels, and a 60-hour power reserve. The tourbillon cage is made of aluminum, and the movement is suspended on four lever arms with silent elastomer dampers, inspired by high-performance vehicle suspensions. It’s like having a supercar engine on your wrist.
And this is where it gets even more exclusive: only 19 pieces will be produced, making it rarer than most supercars. Available exclusively through Chopard for a cool 130,000 CHF (approximately €137,000), this watch is both a collector’s dream and a technological masterpiece. But here’s the question: is it worth the price tag? Let us know what you think in the comments—is this a groundbreaking innovation or a niche indulgence?
Summary Table
| Element | Details |
|-----------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Case | 42 mm, ceramized titanium, tubular architecture, 43.2 g |
| Thickness | 11.15 mm |
| Water Resistance | 50 meters |
| Dial | Ceramized titanium mainplate, raised Zagato “Z” logo, skeleton hands |
| Power Reserve | 60 hours |
| Movement | L.U.C 04.04-L, manual, tourbillon, 28,800 vph, COSC certified |
| Tourbillon | 60-second, aluminum cage |
| Straps | Technical fabric (Velcro) and calf leather, ceramized titanium buckles |
| Price | 130,000 CHF |
| Availability | Limited edition of 19 pieces, only at Chopard |
