Actor Michael Fassbender spotted wearing a Chopard

On the red carpet of the 88th Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on February 28, 2016, Michael Fassbender — nominated for Best Actor for his portrayal of Steve Jobs in Danny Boyle's biographical drama — made a quiet but considered horological statement on his left wrist: a Chopard L.U.C. XPS, one of the most technically accomplished ultra-thin dress watches in contemporary Swiss watchmaking.

The L.U.C. XPS sits at the pinnacle of Chopard's manufacture ambitions. Powered by the in-house calibre L.U.C 96.17-L, a self-winding movement measuring a remarkable 3.30mm in height, the watch achieves a total case thickness of just 7.13mm. The movement incorporates twin stacked barrels delivering a 65-hour power reserve — an exceptional figure for a movement of this profile. Chopard's L.U.C. manufacture in Fleurier holds both COSC chronometer certification and Poinçon de Genève hallmark on select references, placing its finishing standards among the most rigorous in the industry.

From the image, the dial presents as white or silver with applied indices and a clean three-hand layout, consistent with the classic XPS references in steel or white gold. The slim case with a leather strap reads elegantly against Fassbender's formal attire. The watch's restrained aesthetic — no date window, no complications cluttering the dial — reflects the XPS philosophy: maximum horological density in minimal visual footprint.

For collectors, the L.U.C. XPS occupies a respected niche. It competes directly with the Piaget Altiplano and Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin in the haute horlogerie dress category, yet frequently outpaces them on movement finishing value per dollar. Chopard's independent manufacture status and family ownership add an authenticity narrative increasingly valued by discerning buyers.

Fassbender's choice underscores a well-documented taste for European understatement. Rather than reaching for a conspicuous sports reference — the default of many Hollywood A-listers — he selected a piece that rewards knowledge. On one of cinema's biggest nights, that restraint speaks volumes.