L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Pig

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L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Pig - Chopard
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A cheerful and chubby pig, depicted in a multicolored forest, decorates the dial of Chopard's special watch for the Chinese Calendar.

It is tradition of Chopard to present each year a L.U.C XP Urushi timepiece using the ancestral Japanese art of Urushi technique in celebration of a new Chinese calendar cycle. In 2019, a golden pig (a symbol of abundance) with a protruding stomach (a sign of joviality) appears against a multicoloured forest background. As traditionally depicted in the Chinese zodiac, the pig is regarded as sincere, hard-working, considerate and generous. A Year of the Pig is thus composed of successful exertions, as well as festivities.

L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Pig

Entièrement réalisé à la main, le cadran est exécuté selon la technique de laque traditionnelle japonaise Urushi. C’est la sève de l’arbre Urushi qui sécrète le vernis à l’origine de cet art ancestral de laquage. Originaire du Japon et de Chine, sa résine se récolte une seule fois par an dans des quantités très faibles. Il faut trois à cinq ans après la collecte pour que la résine devienne, par l’effet d’un traitement, une laque très résistante de consistance mielleuse. Elle sera appliquée par couches successives très fines. 

L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Pig

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. He 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.

The ultra-thin case of the L.U.C XP is crafted from ethical 18-carat rose gold and entirely hand-decorated by the artisans of Chopard Manufacture. Its transparent sapphire case-back reveals the L.U.C 96.17-L Caliber, a mechanical self-winding movement featuring a 22-carat gold micro-rotor and bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève motif.

L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Pig

The watch is fitted with a hand-sewn black alligator leather strap, with brown alligator leather lining and polished 18-carat rose gold pin buckle.

See also the special models dedicated to the Chinese zodiac from BlancpainJaquet Droz, Panerai and Vacheron Constantin

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