Writer Giorgia Mondani spotted wearing a Chopard

Giorgia Mondani, the Italian author behind some of the most authoritative Rolex reference books in print and a prominent voice in the digital watch-collecting space, was recently seen wearing the Chopard L.U.C. Perpetual Twin ref. 168561-3003 — a choice that says as much about her horological discernment as it does about Chopard's often underappreciated manufacture credentials.

The Chopard L.U.C. Perpetual Twin ref. 168561-3003 measures 43mm in stainless steel and presents a rich blue sunburst dial that lays out a full perpetual calendar with remarkable legibility. The calendar mechanism accounts for months of varying lengths, including leap years, requiring no manual correction until 2100. A subsidiary seconds register and moon phase complication complete the dial architecture without tipping into visual clutter — a balance that many perpetual calendar watches at this size fail to achieve.

At the heart of the L.U.C. Perpetual Twin beats the calibre 96.17-L, a self-winding movement developed and manufactured entirely in-house at Chopard's Fleurier facility. The movement carries both COSC chronometer certification and the Poinçon de Genève hallmark — a dual credential rarely seen in combination and indicative of exceptional finishing standards and positional accuracy. Twin mainspring barrels deliver a power reserve of approximately 60 hours, and the exhibition caseback makes that architecture immediately visible.

Mondani's credibility in the collecting world is substantial. As co-founder of Mondani Web and author of encyclopedic Rolex reference guides, she approaches watchmaking with the rigour of a researcher rather than a casual enthusiast. Her choice of the L.U.C. Perpetual Twin signals an appreciation for movement quality over brand cachet — the Chopard L.U.C. line remains quietly respected among collectors who prioritise what sits beneath the dial.

On the market, the Chopard L.U.C. Perpetual Twin ref. 168561-3003 carries a retail price of approximately $20,000 USD, positioning it as one of the most technically accomplished perpetual calendar chronometers available at this price point. Grey market premiums remain modest, reflecting Chopard L.U.C.'s steady rather than speculative collector demand — which, for a watch of this calibre, is arguably the most honest endorsement of all.