The Chopard Quattro Mark IV Was a Damn Good Move

Watches and Wonders 2025 was crazy. Between all the headlines about Rolex’s new Land-Dweller, Cubitus madness (whatever you think of it), and the usual tariff chatter, it would have been easy to miss something really special. I almost did. But tucked away, without the screaming crowds, was the Chopard Quattro Mark IV - and I’m telling you right now, it might just be the best time-only (or time-and-date) watch released this year.

Big words, I know. But I’m standing by them.

 

Let’s start with the basics. The Chopard Quattro Mark IV is a 39mm precious metal dress watch. Inside, it’s powered by the in-house L.U.C 98.09-L calibre - and yes, it’s got a wild nine-day power reserve. Nine days! 

Honestly, it outshined everything else I saw released this year, including some heavy hitters like the new Patek Calatrava, which everyone’s been calling “the best Calatrava in a generation.” Hot take? Maybe. But I’m telling you, Chopard just nailed it.

Source: Hodinkee

Chopard Is More Than "A Jewellery Brand"

Chopard gets a bad rap from some watch fans because of its jewellery side. People still think of Happy Diamonds before they think of L.U.C. watches. That’s unfair.

Chopard was a watchmaker first, founded in 1860, and only started dabbling in jewellery a century later. Real watchmaking came back to the spotlight for them in 1996 with the debut of their L.U.C division and the legendary calibre 1.96. If you’ve never gone down a rabbit hole about that movement, please do. It’s worth it.

The bottom line? Chopard's watch division isn't some side project. They know their stuff

The Story Behind the Quattro

The original L.U.C Quattro dropped in 2000. Chopard’s team basically asked themselves, “How do we make a crazy long power reserve without making the watch a brick on the wrist?” Someone (apparently half-joking) suggested removing the micro-rotor from their first movement to make space for more barrels - and boom, the idea for the Quattro was born.

They stacked four barrels inside and ended up with a hand-wound calibre (the 1.98) that ran for nine days. The first Quattro, the “Mark I,” was a 38mm limited edition in gold and platinum. Extremely collectable now - if you can even find one.

Since then, we got the Mark II in 2015 (too big at 43mm) and the Mark III in 2018 (still not quite right). Honestly, both were fine but didn't have the magic of the original. So when Chopard dropped the Mark IV this year, I wasn’t sure what to expect.

Spoiler alert: they absolutely crushed it.

Source: Hodinkee

The Mark IV: What They Got Right

First off, the size. 39mm is perfect - dressy but still modern. The new "bassine" case shape has beautiful curves, refined lugs, and sits low and easily on the wrist. I usually prefer watches smaller than 38mm, but here it just makes sense.

In the beginning, the press materials had only shown the rose gold version. Nice, but when they pulled out the platinum model? Game over. It’s so clean, so understated, and somehow still so luxurious.

Speaking of platinum, if you look closely between the lugs, there’s a tiny hand-engraved bee hallmark. A small touch, but it shows Chopard's attention to detail. It made me smile, which very few six-figure watches this year managed to do.

Dial, Hands, and Details

The dial isn’t the usual L.U.C guilloché extravaganza. Instead, it’s got a subtle frosted texture - soft, almost powdery under the light. It’s the same technique they used on the Full Strike Titanium, but seeing it here on a simple time-and-date model feels fresh.

The hands and hour markers are redesigned too: slimmer, sharper, cleaner. No unnecessary fluff, just simple dauphine hands and well-sized markers that catch the light beautifully.

It feels like Chopard finally fully embraced the idea that less is more. And it works.

Source: Hodinkee

Flipping It Over: The Movement

Turn the Quattro over to witness what great watchmaking looks like. You can see all four barrels, stacked neatly, alongside gorgeous hand-finishing - Geneva stripes, anglage, black-polished screws. Everything is done to the highest level: the watch carries the Geneva Seal and COSC chronometer certification.

Nine days of power reserve is one thing, but having a movement that’s chronometer-certified while running for that long? That's seriously impressive. The barrels feed the movement one after another instead of all at once, keeping the torque steady. It’s real technical artistry, and it’s beautiful to look at.

Now The Price

Here’s where things get serious. The Quattro Mark IV costs about €36,000 in ethical 18k rose gold and €45,000 in platinum.

Yes, it’s a lot. But look around - a Lange 1 in rose gold is around €42,000, and Patek’s new simple platinum ref. 6196P will run you roughly €44,000 - neither giving you nine days of power reserve or quite this level of finishing.

You’re paying a big number either way. With the Quattro, you’re getting something genuinely special, under-the-radar, and technically outstanding.

Source: Hodinkee

Final Thoughts

I didn’t expect to fall for a Chopard this Watches and Wonders. I thought maybe a quirky indie or a big-name hype drop would win me over.

Instead, it was this humble, perfectly executed dress watch.

Chopard made a great one here. In a world obsessed with crazy triple tourbillon watches, they quietly put out a timepiece that respects tradition, rewards deep appreciation, and feels incredible to wear.

If you're a collector tired of the hype cycle, or just someone who loves real watchmaking, the Quattro Mark IV is everything you're looking for - even if you didn’t know it yet.

Source: Hodinkee