Each year a new zodiac sign becomes the star of the Chinese calendar. Beginning on January 28, 2017, that sign is the rooster, the tenth of the twelve animal symbols of the Chinese zodiac. Chopard is one of the watchmaking companies that love to celebrate the Chinese New Year with special editions.
Chopard L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Rooster welcomes the Chinese New Year with an exceptional lacquered dial made by using the ancestral Urushi technique. The eye-catching rendition of the rooster is quite colorful and texturally artistic.
The lacquer used in this technique is taken from the sap of “Japanese varnish” tree which is skilfully harvested only once a year and aged and treated to become a lacquer. The material is applied in a number of extremely thin layers and this process takes time and patience.
In this particular case, the Urushi master paints within tiny mother-of-pearl fragments which further enhance the iridescence of the rooster with its puffed out chest and stunning turquoise, golden and orange-hued tail feathers. The rooster is depicted against a glowing sunset backdrop. Just beside the rooster there are eight gladioli flowers symbolizing good luck.
To create this magnificent illustration, as with all previous L.U.C XP Urushi editions, the Swiss luxury watchmaking brand has worked with its long-term partner – the Yamada Heiando firm which is an official purveyor to the Japanese imperial family. This special edition timepiece has been created by highly skilled Urushi master Minori Koizumi, whose work was supervised by Master Kiichiro Masumura, acknowledged as the finest exponent of his art.
This applied arts masterpiece is housed in a L.U.C XP case crafted from 18-carat rose gold, measuring 39.50mm in diameter and 6.80mm in thickness. The case houses the in-house manufactured L.U.C 96.17-L self-winding movement which is extremely thin thanks to the use of a micro-rotor made of 22-carat gold that is incorporated into the overall thickness of the mechanism. The self-winding movement operates at the rapid frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and, thanks to the twin barrel technology, provides no less than 65 hours of power reserve. The 29 jewels movement is finished according to the highest aesthetic quality standards featuring beveled and polished chamfers, polished screws and bridges adorned with a Côtes de Genève motif.
Chopard L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Rooster (ref. 161902-5064) is issued in the limited series of only 88 specimens. Each piece is attached to a hand-sewn black alligator leather strap, fitted with an 18-carat rose gold pin buckle. The water resistance is assured down to 30 meters (approximately 100 feet). The retail price of the new Chopard’s watch is $24,290.
