Limited Edition of 88 Pieces
Each year, Chopard draws inspiration from the repertoire of Chinese astrology to offer a fresh interpretation of its Urushi dial, an ancestral Japanese technique. 2018 marks the celebration of the Year of the Dog, the 11th sign of the Chinese zodiac, for a year dedicated to generosity and loyalty.
Chopard has decided to embody this canine through a representative of the Asian 'Akita' breed, depicted in a lush natural setting dotted with wild orchids and enhanced by the fluttering presence of a dragonfly, regarded as a lucky charm and a good omen.
Urushi: a time-honored art
Urushi is an ancestral lacquer technique. Its name stems from the tree whose resin is patiently harvested, once a year, in very small quantities. Three to five years after being collected, the resin is treated in such a way as to become a highly resistant lacquer applied in a number of extremely fine layers. The Urushi Master then imprisons within it a number of tiny iridescent particles that endow it with distinctive depth, luminosity, and exquisitely fine nuances. Only a rare few artists have the skills required to perform this technique.
Chopard called upon Master Kiichiro Masumaro to oversee the creation of the L.U.C XP Urushi dials. He is recognised as a master of his art and has been raised to the status of "national human treasure" in Japan. The dials were executed by the Urushi Grand Master Minori Koizumi. For this collaborative endeavour, Chopard secured the services of the Yamada Heiando company, official purveyor to the Japanese imperial family.
Technical Specifications:
The case, in 18kt rose gold, measures 39.5mm x 6.8mm. It has an AR-coated sapphire crystal, a sapphire display back, and it is water resistant to 30 meters.
Movement is the Swiss automatic Chopard in-house caliber L.U.C 96.17-L with 29 jewels, 28,800 vph and a power reserve of 65 hours. The bridges are adorned with Côtes de Genève motif, circular-grained mainplate, bevelled components. Engraved and guilloché 22kt gold rotor.
Dial hand-crafted in Japan using the Urushi technique with a special "Year of the dog" motif
Gilded Dauphine-type hours and minutes hands.
It comes on a a hand-sewn black alligator leather strap with an 18kt rose gold pin buckle.
Thanks.