Recently, while we were lucky enough to visit with Chopard, we were equally privileged to visit the L.U.CEUM. Inspired by the measure of time, this museum was opened in September 2006 in celebration of the tenth anniversary of Chopard Manufacture in Fleurier. It takes you to the complicated world of watchmaking, where Chopard’s excellence reigns supreme.

This watch haven displays masterpieces of the watchmaker’s art from various epochs and different regions of Europe, retracing five centuries of history in organized themes. With a number of Chopard L.U.C timepieces, this museum is a way for Karl-Friedrich Scheufele to continue the tradition of Louis-Ulysse Chopard. It unites old and new in an innovative setting, where friends and customers of the house get the chance to discover the history of the art of watchmaking in order to be able to fully appreciate the L.U.C watch models in their historical context.

Karl-Friedrich Scheufele says: “The concept of time, with all its aspects and facets, has always fascinated me. I wanted to express and convey this passion by establishing a museum.” He continues: “I’m also interested in what might be termed the philosophical aspect of time. I wanted to create a place that would inspire people to pause, to turn inward and contemplate the notion of time, and even slowness itself.” And he adds: “Making timepieces is my profession, and I pursue this profession at Chopard Manufacture, where high-quality mechanical movements that write new chapters in the history of time are made. Innovation, artful craftsmanship and love for details are a few our manufactory’s most cherished values”.

With its motto “Traces of Time”, the name L.U.CEUM expresses the project’s intention to serve as a link between the past and the present. Designed by Birgit Binner from Thema Gestaltung München, it is situated in an elongated attic with quaint wooden roof beams. A single glance can help you comprehend the entire collection and a stroll through the museum is just like the motions of a timepiece’s dial hands which return to their starting point upon completing their cycle.

In fact, being a watch enthusiast is discovering the history of watchmaking through the story of a legendary house, and Chopard offered us exactly that opportunity.