Last year, World of Watches was present at the unveiling of the Chopard LUC Perpetual T Spirit of the Chinese zodiac piece unique. Paying tribute to over a 1000 years of culture, artisans from L.U.C. Chopard hand-engraved all 12 animal motifs of the Chinese Zodiac on the pink gold midcase, honouring the the milestones of high horology and traditional Chinese arts in the exclusive 2017 LUC novelty. For 2018, Chopard introduces a new one-of-a-kind L.U.C Perpetual T ‘Spirit of the Chinese Zodiac’ honouring these two realms: a case in ethical 18-carat rose gold, entirely hand-engraved and depicting the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac but instead of a darkened high gloss anthracite face, the latest LUC Perpetual T shows a face of resplendent hand-engraved 18-carat gold dial with snailed counters, topped with gilt dauphine fusée-type hours and minutes, day of the week, month and small seconds hands.
Chopard L.U.C Perpetual T ‘Spirit of the Chinese Zodiac: Artisanship at its finest
Swiss chinoiserie at its finest, using a champlevé engraving technique, a single Chopard LUC artisan devotes over 210 hours (and unimaginable meticulous patience) to hollow out tiny cavities in the ethical 18-carat rose gold mid-case to enhance the subtle play of light on the precious metal beastiary, bringing 12 symbolic animals of the Chinese zodiac to life.
Reflecting pure chinoiserie motifs, traditional ornamental motifs like the ones oft found around Chinese pagodas and temples are hand-executed on the gleaming solid gold dial. Beneath the glowing countenance of the Chopard L.U.C Perpetual T ‘Spirit of the Chinese Zodiac’ beats the heart of the one of the industry’s most prestigious combinations of horological complications – a perpetual calendar with a tourbillon and over nine days of power reserve ensured by the four barrels of the ingenious Quattro® system. Created in-house at Chopard’s Meyrin and Fleurier facilities, the new L.U.C Perpetual T ‘Spirit of the Chinese Zodiac’ is emblematic of Chopard’s exceptional craftsmanship in the fields of calibre design, cases machining, movement components as well as traditional hand-crafted finishing, decoration and assembly, warranting the L.U.C 02.15-L calibre with COSC chronometre certification and the prestigious ‘Poinçon de Genève’ hallmark, one of the Swiss watch industry’s highest emblems.
L.U.C Perpetual T ‘Spirit of the Chinese Zodiac’ Price and Specs
Movement Manual winding L.U.C 02.15-L calibre with (216 hours) or 9 days power reserve
Case 43mm 18k rose gold with 30 metres water resistance
Strap Alligator Leather
Price S$372,500
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