Cars and watches share a lot in common; the biggest intersection point is, of course, design. Inspired by the automotive brilliance of Zagato, the Chopard Lab One concept watch is a fine example of what I mean. This collaborative watch from Chopard and Zagato is a manifestation of automotive thinking realized in a wrist-sized form factor, highlighting structure, lightness, and engineering – the three main stakes of the Italian coachbuilding brand, founded by Ugo Zagato in 1919.
Of course, when something so impressive and open-worked shows up on the horology map, you begin to wonder how the manufacturer has pulled it off. Before I could sit down and ponder, I realized that is not the first time the two stalwarts from their respective niches have come together. If you remember, the two brands previously collaborated in 2020 on the Mille Miglia Lab One, which was also inspired by high-performance race cars.
Arguably, haute horlogerie collides at the peak of innovation with the Zagato Lab One Concept, which is not really a conventional production model but a technical study of the application of motorsport engineering principles in watchmaking. The racing car image instantly comes to mind at the first glimpse at this 42mm case watch, which is made from ceramicised titanium and exudes tubular architecture characteristic of the car chassis.
The Chopard x Zagato Lab One Concept watch – owing to its construction – is exceptionally robust and scratch-resistant. The watch weighs only 43.2 grams (including the strap) and features a box-shaped sapphire, giving you a completely unobstructed view of the chrome-toned skeletal dial integrated right into the movement. It is also machined from ceramicised titanium also, and has a raised interpretation of Zagato’s stylised “Z” motif, which is finished with rhodium-plated bevels.
The watch ditches traditional lugs and replaces them with pivoting tubular loops that can rotate up to 45 degrees. This design allows the case to sit flush with the wrist, delivering exceptional wearing comfort. On the dial, the open-worked hour and minute hands and the gauge-style power reserve at 12 o’clock are reminiscent of the motorsport theme. This mechanical marvel is powered by a hand-wound L.U.C 04.04-L calibre movement offering COSC-certified chronometer-level accuracy, operating at 28,800 vph, and has a 60-hour power reserve. The bridges and mainplate are also made from ceramicised titanium.
The Zagato Lab One Concept watch has a 60-second tourbillon positioned at 6 o’clock and protects the movement against shock via silent-block elastomer dampers and four lever arms. Water resistant up to 50 meters, the watch comes with two strap options: a fabric strap with hook-and-loop fastening, and the other is a calfskin leather strap. According to press information, only 19 examples of the watch are available, and each is priced at CHF 130,000 (approximately $170,000).
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