Chopard L.U.C XP Urushi Spirit of Shí Chen (Price, Pictures and Specifications)
Steeped in the aesthetic codes of Chinese culture, the Chopard L.U.C XP Urushi Spirit of Shí Chen is the first L.U.C timepiece to display the traditional Chinese timekeeping system, Shí Chen. The animals of the zodiac that symbolises them parade slowly by on an Urushi lacquer disc, accompanied by the symbol of prosperity and its god Lu Xing. This creative new complication exists as an 88-piece limited edition. Its L.U.C 96.29-L Chopard Manufacture movement is housed in a 40 mm ethical 18-carat rose gold case of peerless symbolic and physical finesse.
Carved from a block of ethical 18-carat rose gold, the Chopard L.U.C XP Urushi Spirit of Shí Chen is a talisman timepiece, an allegory of beliefs related to the Chinese zodiac and luck. It represents the first time that an Haute Horlogerie watch displays Shí Chen, the traditional Chinese time system, as a complication.
It consists of twelve two-hour units, each one represented by an animal from the zodiac cycle. The day thus begins at 11pm with the hour of the Rat and ends with the hour of the Pig, while noon is in the middle of the hour of the Horse.
The Chinese zodiac bestiary enhanced by the art of Urushi
The procession of 12 animals slowly parades through a large aperture at 12 o’clock, enabling a dual time read-off: one traditional and the other based on the international system. This succession of zodiac signs also underlines the creativity and mastery of the Chopard Manufacture artisans. In addition, the dial and Shí Chen disc of this timepiece are made of Japanese lacquer. Faithful to Asian traditions, Chopard has worked right from the start with the finest Japanese lacquer artisans, who craft dials using the traditional Urushi lacquer technique.
The 88 dials of the Chopard L.U.C XP Urushi Spirit of Shí Chen are produced by the workshops of the century-old Yamada Heiando company and crafted by Master lacquer specialist Minori Koizumi. In accordance with the distinctive Maki-e technique, gold flakes sprinkled between the layers of lacquer illuminate the 40 mm ethical 18-carat rose gold case from within.
A creation placed under the protection of the god of prosperity
At the centre of the Chopard L.U.C XP Urushi Spirit of Shí Chen dial is the golden, embossed emblem of the god Lu Ying, who is one of the three deities – together with Fu Xing and Shou Xing – respectively dedicated to prosperity, happiness and longevity, symbolically summing up the characteristics of a full life. This star of prosperity also refers to fame and influence and is an omnipresent sign in Chinese culture, where auspices, symbols and representations playing on the nature of ideograms are essential.
A timepiece endowed with great technical refinement
To equip the L.U.C XP Urushi Spirit of Shí Chen, Chopard has created the L.U.C 96.29-L calibre, an exclusive variation of the 96 family, featuring a disc that completes a full rotation in 24 hours. This mechanical movement with automatic winding is just 3.97 mm thick thanks to its micro-rotor, a small oscillating weight neatly integrated into the calibre.
Made of ethical 22-carat gold, it boasts high inertia enabling it to wind the two barrels efficiently. The latter are stacked in accordance with Chopard Twin Technology and are capable of storing the energy necessary for the L.U.C XP Urushi Spirit of Shí Chen to offer a total 65-hour power reserve. Once off the wrist, it will remain on time and accurate for more than two and a half days, the duration of a long weekend.
Chopard’s in-house approach to Haute Horlogerie
Chopard is a family Maison with a strongly ingrained philosophy of independence. The manufacturing stages of L.U.C. timepieces are carried out in-house at its production sites in Geneva and Fleurier.
Movement development, finished product design, gold casting, stamping and cases machining, movement parts and bracelets, as well as traditional handcrafted finishes, surface treatments, polishing, assembly, adjustments and quality controls: such is the comprehensive range of watch production operations fully mastered by Chopard and involved in the making of each creation in the L.U.C collection.
The result of meticulous craftsmanship, Chopard’s exceptional L.U.C timepieces meet the aspirations of today’s gentleman, speaking to him without the slightest artifice or pretention, and unequivocally conveying an ideal blend of artisanal skill and emotions.
Chopard L.U.C XP Urushi Spirit of Shí Chen
Technical specifications:
Reference: 161980-5001 – in ethical 18-carat rose gold with special Spirit of Shí Chen dial; 88-piece limited edition
Case:
· Ethical 18-carat rose gold
· Total diameter: 40,00 mm
· Thickness: 8.28 mm
· Water resistance: 30 metres
· 18-carat ethical rose gold crown with L.U.C logo: 5.00 mm
· Vertical satin-brushed sides and inter-horn space
· Polished bezel and case-back
· Glare-proofed sapphire crystal
· Exhibition case-back
Movement:
· Mechanical with automatic winding: L.U.C 96.29-L
· Winding via a micro-rotor in ethical 22-carat gold
· Total diameter: 34.20 mm
· Thickness: 3,97 mm
· Number of jewels: 29
· Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
· Power reserve: 65 hours
· Disc rotating in 24 hours, representing the 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac
· Twin stacked barrels, based on Chopard Twin Technology
· Bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève motif
Dial and hands:
· Dial hand-crafted in Japan using the Urushi lacquer technique with shimmering decoration for the main dial and the twelve signs of the Zodiac on the lower rotating disc
· Central symbol of prosperity motif in ethical 18-carat rose gold
· Dauphine-type hours and minutes hands in ethical 18-carat rose gold
· Indexes and Arabic numerals in ethical 18-carat rose gold
Functions and displays: Central display of the hours and minutes
Bracelet and buckle:
· Black hand-sewn alligator strap with brown alligator leather lining
· Polished and satin-brushed ethical 18-carat rose gold pin buckle
The price for the Chopard L.U.C XP Urushi Spirit of Shí Chen Ref. 161980-5001 is EUR 37,800 and is limited edition to 88 pieces.
