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L.U.C XP Urushi Snake - A Compendium of Traditional Skills for the Year of the Snake
Chopard offers an encounter between various traditional forms of craftsmanship by associating graceful dials created using time-honoured decorative techniques with the understated lines of its L.U.C XP: an extremely refined ultra-thin timepiece equipped with a mechanical self-winding movement, L.U.C Calibre 96.17-L.
The quintessence of the ancestral Japanese art of Urushi, combined with the ultimate degree of Swiss horological refinement: if one were to sum up the new L.U.C XP Urushi Snake in just a few words, it would doubtless be in such terms. Conceived to celebrate the year of the snake according to the Chinese calendar, its dial entirely hand-painted using traditional techniques depicts a flowering bush, a symbol of good luck, with a golden snake coiled around it.
The quintessence of the ancestral Japanese art of Urushi, combined with the ultimate degree of Swiss horological refinement: if one were to sum up the new L.U.C XP Urushi Snake in just a few words, it would doubtless be in such terms. Conceived to celebrate the year of the snake according to the Chinese calendar, its dial entirely hand-painted using traditional techniques depicts a flowering bush, a symbol of good luck, with a golden snake coiled around it.
The snake is the sixth sign of the Chinese zodiac that comprises 12, all of them animals. It is considered enigmatic, intuitive, introspective and particularly refined. Ancestral Chinese wisdom sees its presence in a home as an assurance that the family will never lack means of sustenance. Tradition also holds that people born in a year of the snake are intelligent, astute and wise.
A time-honoured pictorial art
Urushi is a long-established lacquering art. The varnish is derived from the sap of the Urushi tree, also called the “lacquer tree” or “Japanese varnish tree”, mainly found in Japan and China. Somewhat like rubber from the hevea brasiliensis tree, the resin can only be harvested once a year, and in very small quantities. Three to five years after it is collected, the resin is treated to transform it into an extremely resistant, honey-textured lacquer. It is applied in very thin successive layers, traditionally on everyday objects such as bowls or boxes.
A time-honoured pictorial art
Urushi is a long-established lacquering art. The varnish is derived from the sap of the Urushi tree, also called the “lacquer tree” or “Japanese varnish tree”, mainly found in Japan and China. Somewhat like rubber from the hevea brasiliensis tree, the resin can only be harvested once a year, and in very small quantities. Three to five years after it is collected, the resin is treated to transform it into an extremely resistant, honey-textured lacquer. It is applied in very thin successive layers, traditionally on everyday objects such as bowls or boxes.
Maki-e, a technique derived from the art of Urushi, consists of sprinkling the lacquered coating with metal powder – in this case gold – in order to accentuate its outlines. The gold dust is applied using bamboo tubes and small natural-hair brushes in order to trace extremely fine lines. This art requires a degree of skill and meticulous care such as only a few experienced Urushi specialists still master.
Traditional watchmaking skills
Such exquisite works of art could not have been better showcased than by the refinement of the L.U.C XP. A supremely elegant ultra-thin timepiece measuring 39.5 mm in diameter and 6.8 mm thick, it is the symbol of Chopard’s horological mastery. Developing and producing a mechanical self-winding movement equipped with two barrels ensuring a 65-hour power reserve that can fit into such a slender feat is an impressive achievement indeed.
Traditional watchmaking skills
Such exquisite works of art could not have been better showcased than by the refinement of the L.U.C XP. A supremely elegant ultra-thin timepiece measuring 39.5 mm in diameter and 6.8 mm thick, it is the symbol of Chopard’s horological mastery. Developing and producing a mechanical self-winding movement equipped with two barrels ensuring a 65-hour power reserve that can fit into such a slender feat is an impressive achievement indeed.
The watchmakers of Chopard Manufacture in Fleurier have accomplished this feat thanks to the clever construction of the off-centred micro-rotor. Entirely hand decorated by the House artisans in accordance with the principles of traditional fine watchmaking, L.U.C Calibre 96.17-L may be admired through the exhibition back of the 18-carat rose gold case.
Fitted with a black alligator leather strap, the L.U.C XP Urushi Snake is delivered in a dedicated presentation box, also decorated using Urushi techniques. Black on the outside and Maki-e gold on the inside, it is shaped like an octagon – the oriental symbol of gaiety – complete with a silk fastening cordlet.
Technical details
Case:
• 18-carat rose gold
• 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
• Glareproofed sapphire crystal
Movement:
• Mechanical self-winding L.U.C 96.17-L
• Diameter 27.40 mm
• Thickness 3.30 mm
• Number of jewels 29
• Frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz)
• Power reserve 65 hours
• Twin® Technology (two stacked barrels)
• Bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève
Dial and hands:
• Dial adorned with a snake motif using the Urushi technique
• Gilt dauphine-type hour and minute hands
Functions and displays:
• Central display of the hours and minutes
Strap and buckle:
• Hand-sewn alligator leather strap
• 18-carat rose gold pin buckle
Ref. 161902-5051 – in 18-carat rose gold with Snake dial
Press Release
This message has been edited by Kong on 2013-01-14 05:01:21
L.U.C XP Urushi Snake - A Compendium of Traditional Skills for the Year of the Snake
Chopard offers an encounter between various traditional forms of craftsmanship by associating graceful dials created using time-honoured decorative techniques with the understated lines of its L.U.C XP: an extremely refined ultra-thin timepiece equipped w...
This is one of the most colorful of the
Urushi pieces. Patiently waiting for mine. Melvin
Stunning piece
I really appreciate this collection of LUX XP with the Urushi dial. Very elegant yet not too colorful. This latest one looks great and I can't wait to see it in their Boutiques. Carl
