L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of 'La Santa Muerte'

Oct 16, 2018,13:46 PM
 

Chopard's artisans celebrate Santa Muerte (the patron saint of death) through a one-of-a-kind timepiece.

Launched today at SIAR (Salon Internacional Alta Relojeria 16-18th October 2018) watch exhibition in Mexico is the piece unique L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of 'La Santa Muerte'.





L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of La Santa Muerte 161941-5005

Skulls, flowers, suns, guitars: Santa Muerte is admirably reflected through several fascinating motifs. In tribute to the culture of Mexico, Chopard introduces an exceptional new timepiece named the L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of 'La Santa Muerte'.



L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of La Santa Muerte 161941-5005 engraving

Entirely hand-engraved by the artisans of Chopard Manufacture, its 43mm diameter gold case and dial are adorned with motifs typical of the Dia de Los Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), which is generally celebrated as this saint's feast day.



Dial engraving

Inside it, beneath the death mask, beats a supremely sophisticated calibre: a perpetual calendar tourbillon with a nine-day power reserve.

This one-of-a-kind model will be presented to collectors at the SIAR.



L.U.C 02.15-L movement

Confirming its credentials as an accomplished, expert and versatile Manufacture, Chopard presents a one-of-a-kind highly complicated watch entirely hand-engraved in-house. After paying tribute to the cultural symbolism of the Chinese zodiac in 2016, Chopard is turning to Mexico and the syncretic traditions surrounding Santa Muerte.



L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of La Santa Muerte 161941-5005

Stemming from the Aztec civilisation and tinged with Spanish Catholicism, the Día de Los Muertos - Day of the Dead - is a joyful celebration of the cycle of life, an occasion for renewed awareness of the possibility of death, which in turn gives full meaning to life. A day of remembrance, the Día de Los Muertos also provides an opportunity for gifts, offerings and libations to the deceased, and to cultivate the ties that bind families on either side of the final frontier.



L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of La Santa Muerte 161941-5005 engraving




L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of La Santa Muerte 161941-5005 engraving





Sunny Eyes, Moustache and Grimace

The tourbillon bridge forms the moustache above a grimace.

The sunny eyes are a parody of death motifs.






L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of La Santa Muerte 161941-5005 back

The 9-day power reserve indicator can be seen through the sapphire crystal case back, which also reveals the chronometer COSC and Geneva Seal markings.


After the 2016 tribute to the Chinese Zodiac, Chopard turns to Mexico this year with a one-of-a-kind ribute to local culture and celebrating their involvement with SIAR.



2016 tribute: L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of the Chinese Zodiac ref. 161941-5002


Regards,

MTF


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Comments: view entire thread

 

Wow! Totally not my thing, but very impressive!

 
 By: patrick_y : October 16th, 2018-13:57
I'm not a big fan of the whole Muerte concept but wow! What a watch!

Great sense of fun ..

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : October 16th, 2018-13:58
and some fabulous craftsmanship. Love the engraving.

The true cost of luxury is the choice that it affords....

 
 By: MTF : October 16th, 2018-14:50
Cpt. Scarlet, Yes. I like this Day of the Dead L.U.C more that the Chinese Zodiac version. That's saying something when I'm Chinese.... 😉 Regards, MTF

Yes...limited to One Piece but.....

 
 By: MTF : October 17th, 2018-00:58
As Chopard has its own Manufacture, you can commission extra pieces to your specifications.... It won't be this exact reference number but your own. Regards, MTF

Good point ! [nt]

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : October 17th, 2018-00:59

Killer! Stunning and impressive.

 
 By: MichaelC : October 16th, 2018-15:12
Bravo, Chopard.

Only one..... (nt)

 
 By: MTF : October 16th, 2018-15:17
MTF

it is artistic and unique

 
 By: Gelato Monster : October 16th, 2018-16:25
yet it is not easy to admire forever.

Being perhaps a bit more Mexican than many here,

 
 By: cazalea : October 16th, 2018-16:27
I appreciate the thought behind the watch but see the Day of the Dead a bit differently, as a remembering of of loved ones, friends and neighbors no longer with us It's a time to recall those who have died during the past year - families and friends yes, ...  

You’re spot on Mike!

 
 By: renerod : October 16th, 2018-21:41
Indeed Día de muertos celebrates that. A day to remember and share with your departed loved ones. This days (because there are several) many Mexican families take food, drink and music to the cemetery in order to share with the departed, robin memory of t... 

How much Mexican are you?

 
 By: MTF : October 16th, 2018-21:42
I know it's a hop step and jump across the border for you to Mexico...… Regards, MTF

My great grandfather was governor of Tabasco

 
 By: cazalea : October 16th, 2018-21:47
Before it was known as a hot sauce - it was a state in Mexico. My father’s mother was Mexican; my 3 other grandparents were German. So 1/4 Mexican - which is a lot more than Elizabeth Warren’s 1/1024 Cherokee! ...  

Well, I never....

 
 By: MTF : October 16th, 2018-22:07
That's like when I discovered that Tequila was a state in Mexico before it became an alcoholic beverage! I see Dr Magana had relations with a patient...Minnie Roeder. At the penultimate lecture at my medical school, the Dean listed the 5 No-Nos for medica... 

I love this thread and your photos! I do hope we can all avoid potentially contentious political references, though, because it invites trouble and discord.

 
 By: CR : October 28th, 2018-07:28
One of the things I love about Purists (vs. certain other horological websites) is that politics are not welcome here, other than perhaps showing what watch a politician is wearing. Elizabeth Warren has nothing to do with this thread, nor should she. Norm... 

Point taken [nt]

 
 By: cazalea : October 28th, 2018-07:48

To be totally honest, skull themed watches never appeal to me.

 
 By: Luis6 : October 16th, 2018-16:42
But I can also totally understand that it serves a purpose and appeals to a group of audiences.

It is verboten in my household

 
 By: MTF : October 16th, 2018-21:39
Luis6, It was a decade before I understood skull motif. I appreciate the significance but most are too scary A few are more acceptable like the Bell & Ross (military special forces adopted skull motif) and this Chopard. The current Mrs MTF has banned ...  

Really impressive...

 
 By: jmpTT : October 17th, 2018-05:45
It has an interesting character to it and the craftsmanship is exceptional, but, as usual, I can’t imagine the intended client for this one-off watch.

At this Art level, it could be anyone

 
 By: MTF : October 18th, 2018-19:45
I guess the collector of this series of art pieces need not be Mexican nor Chinese although the last two watches celebrated those cultures. What if it was a little old lady from Hoboken who collects stuff? 🤔 Regards, MTF