Piece Unique
With the L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of the Chinese zodiac, Chopard is further extending the approach that has driven the Manufacture to create a yearly edition of the L.U.C XP Urushi, in tribute to the zodiac sign of the year in progress. This year, the entire Chinese zodiac is portrayed on the case middle of this unique piece, with a black patina coating adorning 18kt rose gold. The 12 signs are individually represented using the champlevé engraving technique.
The latter requires meticulous patience in order to hollow out little cavities that are then filled with black patina. The engraver devoted 200 hours to creating this tribute to the richness of Chinese culture. The artisan's expert hands deftly formed the 12 animals ordered chronologically and symbolising the Chinese calendar. The tiger's head is perched on the crown while his body fits the case. A dragon and a snake are coiled between the lugs.
The L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of the Chinese zodiac is a limited edition of one piece. It will be the object of an exclusive presentation to Asian collectors at a private exhibition in Beijing.
Technical Specifications:
The case, in 18kt rose gold, measures 43mm x 15mm. It has double AR-coated sapphire crystals and it is water resistant to 30 meters. Hand-engraved 18kt rose gold crown. Case middle hand-engraved with the 12 Chinese zodiac signs ordered chronologically. Bezel hand-engraved with motifs inspired by Chinese iconography.
Movement is the Swiss manual-wind Chopard in-house L.U.C 02.15-L caliber with 31 jewels, 28,800 vph and a power reserve of 216 hours (9 days.) It features four barrels (Quattro technology), a Tourbillon regulator, blackened steel bridge. Phillips terminal curve. Bridges adorned with the Côtes de Genève motif. It is COSC-certified as a chronometer and it carries the Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark. Functions are: central display of the hours and minutes, small seconds and tourbillon at 6 o'clock. Large date at 12 o'clock. Perpetual calendar. Power-reserve indicator on the caseback side.
It has a hand-engraved and varnished 18kt gold dial bearing slate grey snailed counters. Perpetual calendar indications (twin-aperture large date, day of the week and 24-hour subdial, month and leap-year counter). Dauphine fusée-type hands for the hours and minutes as well as the calendar days and months; gilt small seconds hand. Triangular date and year hands.
It comes on a hand-sewn black alligator leather strap with alligator lining, and a hand-engraved 18kt rose gold pin buckle.
Thanks.