Chopard L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Pig
Chopard is adding an exceptional item to its precious collection of L.U.C XP Urushi timepieces which each year pays tribute to one of the 12 signs of the zodiac. The ancestral Japanese art of Urushi is thus being called upon to create a watch marking the start of the traditional Chinese calendar’s Year of the Pig. Regarded as generous, perspicacious and fun-loving, this symbolic animal lends its cheerful face to an exceptionally refined creation driven by an ultra-thin L.U.C movement: Calibre 96.17-L.
The quintessence of Urushi, the ancestral Japanese art of lacquerware associated with the most refined expression of Swiss watchmaking, thereby giving rise to the new L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Pig limited edition of 88 pieces. Chopard, the Artisan of Emotions, is introducing its customary annual celebration of a new Chinese calendar cycle with an expressive dial brimming with symbolism. The Year of the Pig will begin on February 5th 2019 and end on January 24th 2020.
Art and serenity
The dial of this new zodiac watch is entirely hand-crafted. It gives pride of place to Asian culture by using the traditional Japanese lacquer technique known as Urushi. The scene represents a golden pig (a symbol of abundance) with a protruding stomach (a sign of joviality) appearing against a multicoloured forest background. As traditionally depicted in the Chinese zodiac, there is nothing dirty or negative about the pig, which is instead regarded as sincere, hard-working, considerate and generous. A Year of the Pig is thus composed of successful exertions, as well as festivities.
An age-old Japanese pictorial art
The varnish used in this ancestral art of lacquering comes from the sap of the Urushi tree, also known as the “lacquer tree” or the “Japanese varnish tree”, which actually grows in both Japan and China. Its resin is harvested once a year in extremely small quantities. Only three to five years afterwards is the resin at last ready to be treated and thus become a highly resistant, honey-textured lacquer that is applied in extremely fine successive layers.
The 88 dials of this limited series were created under the watchful eye of Master Kiichiro Masamura, a Living National Treasure in Japan and acknowledged as the finest exponent of art. This legendary artist has cooperated with Chopard, a fervent advocate of artisanal skills, as well as the Yamada Heiando company, whose Urushi grand master Minori Koizumi has crafted all the dials for this limited edition.
Exceptional horological expertise
Such works of art are ideally framed by the refinement of the L.U.C XP. This discreetly elegant ultra-thin timepiece is entirely hand-decorated by the artisans of Chopard Manufacture in accordance with the finest watchmaking traditions. Its L.U.C 96.17-L calibre may be admired through the transparent sapphire case-back of the case crafted from ethical 18-carat rose gold.
Chopard L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Pig
Technical specifications:
Case:
Or rose 18ct
Total diameter: 39.50 mm
Thickness: 6.80 mm
Water resistance: 30 metres
18-carat rose gold crown with L.U.C logo: 4.00 mm
Vertical satin-brushed sides and inter-horn space
Polished bezel and case-back
Glareproofed sapphire crystal
Exhibition caseback
Movement:
Mechanical self-winding: L.U.C 96.17-L
Winding via a 22-carat gold micro-rotor
Total diameter: 27.40 mm
Thickness: 3.30 mm
Number of jewels: 29
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 65 hours
Two barrels, Twin technology
Bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève motif
Dial and hands:
Dial hand-crafted in Japan using the Urushi lacquer technique with a special Year of the Pig motif
Gilded Dauphine-type hours and mintues hands
Functions and displays:
Central display of the hours and minutes
Strap and buckle:
Hand-sewn black alligator leather strap with brown alligator leather lining
Polished 18-carat rose gold pin buckle
Ref. 161902-5068 – in 18-carat rose gold with special Year of the Pig dial
88-piece limited edition
The Chopard L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Pig is exclusively available in Chopard boutiques.
