Chopard And Zagato Present The Lab One Concept Watch
Chopard and Zagato continue their long-standing collaboration with the Zagato Lab One Concept, a watch conceived as a technical study rather than a traditional production model. Developed jointly by Chopard’s design and movement teams alongside Zagato’s leadership and design studio, the project applies motorsport engineering principles to mechanical watchmaking, prioritising structure, weight reduction, and functional integration.
At the core of the watch is a 42 mm case built around a tubular framework, directly inspired by racing car chassis construction. Instead of relying on conventional solid case architecture, mechanical loads are distributed through a rigid, skeletal structure that improves strength while keeping mass to a minimum. The case is crafted from ceramicised titanium, an electroplasma-treated alloy that combines titanium’s lightness with a surface hardness of approximately 1,000 Vickers, providing high resistance to wear and scratches. Including the strap, the watch weighs just 43.2 grams.
Traditional lugs are replaced by pivoting tubular loops, which can rotate up to 45 degrees. This allows the case to adapt more naturally to the wrist and contributes to overall wearing comfort. A box-shaped sapphire crystal sits flush with the caseband, reinforcing the technical and architectural appearance of the watch.
Rather than a separate dial, the movement’s mainplate serves as the display surface. Machined from ceramicised titanium, it features a raised interpretation of Zagato’s stylised “Z” motif, finished with rhodium-plated bevels. The openworked hour and minute hands draw inspiration from automotive steering wheels, while the power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock echoes the design language of a fuel gauge.
Driving the Zagato Lab One Concept is the hand-wound L.U.C 04.04-L calibre, a movement derived from Chopard’s earlier Engine One concept but extensively reworked for this project. Bridges and mainplate are produced in ceramicised titanium to further reduce weight, while the calibre is COSC-certified, ensuring chronometer-level accuracy. The movement operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour and delivers a 60-hour power reserve.
A 60-second tourbillon positioned at 6 o’clock features an aluminium cage to minimise inertia. To protect the movement, Chopard employs a shock-absorbing system using silent-block elastomer dampers, with four lever arms securing the calibre within the tubular case structure.
The watch is supplied with two straps: a technical fabric strap with hook-and-loop fastening for a contemporary, motorsport-oriented look, and a calfskin leather strap fitted with a ceramicised titanium pin buckle for a more traditional aesthetic.
The Chopard Zagato Lab One Concept is produced in a limited edition of 19 pieces in ceramicised titanium. It is available exclusively through Chopard boutiques and is priced at CHF 130,000.
More details at www.chopard.com.
General Specifications:
Brand: Chopard
Model: Zagato Lab One Concept
Reference: 168636-3001
Dial: Openworked
Case Material: Beadblasted ceramicised titanium
Case Dimensions: 42 mm Diameter, 11.15 mm thickness
Crystal: Sapphire Glass
Case Back: Sapphire Glass
Water Resistance: 50 Meters
Strap: Fabric strap with a ceramicised titanium loop, plus a calfskin leather strap with ceramicised titanium pin buckle
Calibre: L.U.C 04.04-L
Functions: Hours, minutes, 60-seconds tourbillon, power reserve
Winding: Hand-wound
Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 Vph)
Jewels: 29
Components: 207
Power Reserve: 60 Hours
Chronometer Certified: Yes, by COSC
Price: CHF 130,000
Limited Edition: Yes, 19 pieces.
Availability: Now
